The Devil Cannot Touch Believers – Part II
Today’s Scripture: 1 John 5:13-21
Key Verse: 1 John 5:18
We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them.
Yesterday’s devotion introduced us to the idea of strongholds in a believer’s life. If we have a stronghold that keeps defeating us in our journey with God, we must destroy it.
God’s children simply cannot live a life of continual sinning. Any person who is comfortable with a practice of sinning simply is not a true believer.
However, true believers can find themselves battling a sin that is causing them real trouble in overcoming these strongholds. The first step in destroying a stronghold is to control the things that we think about. All human behavior (good or bad) starts with thoughts and thoughts lead us to actions.
The Apostle Paul tells us to “capture [your] rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Did you realize that you have the power to control your thinking? Let me give you an illustration that proves that.
For just a moment picture your mother’s face. Now picture your mother sitting in an airplane. With these suggestions, you were at once able to start thinking of those images. That helps you understand how we can “take captive” every thought, especially those that are about sin that is a stronghold in our life.
When troubling thoughts start coming to your mind, do not try to simply stop thinking of them. If you focus on those thoughts, you will think of them even more.
Rather, replace those troubling thoughts with wholesome thoughts, especially thoughts about how God can make you a victor in every area of your life.
Whichever way you do it, get your mind off the stronghold and onto the truth that God will not allow that stronghold to be more than you can handle.
Notice that the Apostle Paul calls these strongholds “rebellious thoughts”. The reason is that these thoughts rebel against the truth of God’s Word. They lie to you about the stronghold’s power over you.
It is true that the power of a stronghold comes from a past event that happened to you. If you are a believer, God can reverse the damage that that event caused.
We must all live by faith… faith in Jesus as our savior and faith in the promises of God.
Start looking up God’s promises and memorize the ones that relate to your stronghold.
We are indeed in a war, but it is not a physical war. It is a spiritual war against the evil one and his ways. We must use weapons, but not those made by humans, but weapons given to us by God. Claim your power as a believer and destroy that stronghold!
Father, help me to gain power over the rebellious thoughts that hold me captive and to remove any strongholds in my life. I am your child, and you hold on to me securely. I will rest in your promises. In Jesus’s Name I pray, amen.