Oh my. God has given us power over our enemies, our spiritual enemies, that is. People are not our enemies.

This is a spiritual reality. In the New Testament, we are “seated in heavenly places, far above all power and dominions.” Jesus defeated our spiritual enemy satan on the cross. He did this for us, to give us back the position of dominion over the earth that Adam lost when he sinned. He rendered the devil to be powerless and toothless. His bark is worse than his bite. The only power he has is the power of deception. If he can get us to believe a lie, he wins. We have to know the TRUTH, which is in the Word of God.

When Jesus met up with the devil in the wilderness (read Matthew 4), he showed us exactly how to defeat our enemies in the spirit. The book of James says, Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee.” (James 4:7) We have been given the victory over our enemies, but we must do battle with our own conflicted minds and emotions to come to a position of rest and trust in God and His promises, where the circumstances no longer frighten or control us. Step 1: “Submit to God”…I say the word of God is true FOR ME! This first step is a must. My confidence is in the promises of God and His absolute love for me. Step 2: “Resist the devil.” The thoughts and beliefs that are against the word of God must be brought down by the spoken word of God. That is how we win. All thoughts not in line with the word of God must go. Results?…”and he will flee.” THAT is how we win!

Look at the life of King David. Before he was king, he was a 17 year old boy who spent all of his time out in the field tending his father’s sheep. He worshiped the Lord while he was there, playing music and singing. He fought off a bear and a lion who came after the sheep. This prepared him for what was coming. One day he visited the army of the Israelites, taking lunch to his brothers who were on the battlefield. When he arrived, he found God’s army cringing in fear at a 10 foot tall giant named Goliath. The giant is scary, but David had been fellowshipping with God. He was strong in faith. He said, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine to defy the armies of the Living God?” David wasn’t looking at Goliath’s height or strength. David was looking at the fact that he himself had a covenant with God and that Goliath did not have that covenant. That made David on the winning side!

That 17 year old boy from the sheep herd, with no army training, challenged that great big giant of a man with a slingshot and five smooth stones (for Goliath’s brothers, should they show up). He ran toward Goliath and shot him right in the forehead with a stone, knocking him out and to the ground, at which point, David ran up and cut his head off with Goliath’s own sword. How’s that for winning?

Are you in covenant with God? Have you experienced salvation? You can be on the winning side too. You can win your “Goliath” battles too.

I did a study on the word “enemies” and found so many Old Testament promises about the victory God has given us. Even that supposed “lesser covenant” promised the people victory over their enemies. We have better promises in the New Testament, but I got excited just getting the mental picture. Genesis 14:20 “And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Gen:49:8 “Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies,” (a promise to Judah, who was generally thought to lead praise). Ex. 23:22 God says, “I will be an enemy to your enemies…” Ex. 23:27 “I will send My fear  before you, I will cause confusion among all the people to whom you come, and will make all your enemies turn their backs to you.” Lev. 26:7 You will chase your enemies, and they shall fall by the sword before you.”  Deut. 20:1 “When you go out to battle against your enemies and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.”

Dear Jesus, I receive Your word regarding power over my enemies. By faith, I declare my freedom from them. Thank You for all You have done for me.