THE GOSPEL AND SATAN
"The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work." I John 3:8
I started this conversation on the power of the Gospel to transform communities a little over a week ago by saying that my goal was to show "that the pure, unadulterated Gospel - the truth that God sent his Son to
die for our sins, graciously forgive us and give us power through His
Holy Spirit to live as new creations - can conquer every root problem in
our community". Today we'll start with what I consider to be the biggest root problem in our community: Satan and his work.
Let's be clear up front that the Bible teaches that Satan is a real supernatural being who the Bible calls the "god of this world". He is in absolute opposition to God and his mission is to steal, kill and destroy (Jn. 10:10). There is little doubt that where there is hopelessness, confusion, sinful and destructive behaviors and attitudes, the Devil is deeply at work. The Bible is clear about Satan's work in our world: "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers" (II Cor. 4:4), "He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies." (John 8:44), "Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." (I Pet. 5:8).
What power does a city council vote, a petition, a community moral initiative, or a message of personal responsibility or structural change have against this supernatural power? None. Absolutely none. It's like taking a squirt gun to fight a forest fire. So how is anyone to stand against such a deceitful, murderous power as Satan? There's only one weapon: the name of Jesus Christ. Why? "The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work" (I Jn 3:8). How did he do that? By bearing our sin and dying on the cross so that "through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil" (Heb. 2:14) and by doing so he "disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him" (Col. 2:15). There's nothing else in this world that has that power. John Piper writes "The Devil is stronger than all humans, all armies, all politics, and all human morality put together. We have no chance against him except by one means, the power of Jesus Christ operating through us because he dwells within us." "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (I Jn 4:4).
The gospel conquers our hearts, bring us to repentance and faith in Christ, and frees us from the rule of Satan. Satan is then made helpless by the God who dwells in us and has "all authority in heaven and on earth" (Mt. 28:18), who "commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him" (Mk 1:27). And this power moves in the world through those that have believed in Jesus and have his Holy Spirit living inside them.
If the root problem of Satan and his work is to give way in it's influence on domestic violence, depression, paralyzing fears, hopelessness, corruption, and blatant sinfulness, it will be through the power of Jesus Christ or not at all. What would our community look like if thousands of people came to faith in Jesus and began resisting Satan in the name of Jesus and watched him flee from their homes, neighborhoods, and community?
YOUR NEXT STEP - "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only" James 1:22.
- Write down the name of two or three people in your circle of influence that don't know Jesus and begin praying for an opportunity to share the Gospel with them. In this way you'll begin disarming the power of Satan in your community one life at a time.
- If you are a Christ-follower, begin praying against the power of Satan in your community in the name of Jesus. Perhaps pick a certain community issue close to your heart, or a particular person in your local government to pray against the influence of Satan in their life.
In Christ,
Ryan Fillinger
Fusion Church
Fountain, CO
