“Spiritual warfare isn’t a tug-of-war between us and the demons. Spiritual victory takes no sweat — it just takes Jesus’ eyes. To make you a conqueror, Jesus doesn’t want you to do a great thing. He wants you to see a greater thing.”- Alan Wright
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”- Romans 8:37 (NIV)
In Chapter 11 (“Conquering: Seeing the Darkness Defeated”) of Seeing as Jesus Sees, Alan Wright underscores that we’re not here on the defense. Rather, we have a mission. Because we’re more than conquerors.
Therefore, when Jesus sent out the seventy-two, He didn’t lend them His name. Instead, He gave them — and us — authority. Above all, Jesus wanted the disciples to see their elevated position in Christ. To know He’d completely disarmed the devil. That Jesus fully equipped them for victory.
Furthermore, Pastor Wright notes, the name Satan means “accuser.” Like a prosecutor, Satan appears for one purpose — to spew out accusation at us. However, for the Christian, Satan’s accusations hold no legal ground. Because, in Christ, justice has been served. Consequently, Alan explains:
“Because our sin is removed from us and taken by Christ on the cross, we’re utterly immune to hells’ accusations. The devil has no case, and he has been thrown out of the discussion. In a flash, like lightning, Satan has lost all his power against the Christian. . . . Therefore, God not only throws the accuser out of court, but in the great exchange of Christ’s life for ours, God reckons believers to be righteous. . . .
This glorious gift — the silencing of the accuser and the imputed righteousness of Christ to all believers — is what Jesus had in mind when He told the jubilant seventy-two that there was even greater cause for rejoicing.”
So, when temptation comes, Alan counsels, pause. Take time to connect your heart to Jesus and His shed blood. Then, Alan stresses, look with the Savior.
Today’s question: What Bible verses help you look with the Savior and move toward spiritual victory? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Instruction manual – the Bible?”
