Satan isn’t the Problem, You are!
Setting Things in Order:
Before you read the rest of this devotional I would like to take the time to set some things in order. This devotional in no way refutes the existence of Satan, he is alive as evidenced by (Luke 10:18) and is a very active part in the fallen nature of this world. Rather the purpose of this devotional is to expand upon the repercussions of uncrucified flesh within the body of Christ.
Some time ago, Selah conducted Bible Studies on Spiritual Authority and Generational Curses, both of these studies focused on the power and the blood of Jesus and dismantling Satan’s kingdom to build God’s Kingdom. Although such topics are important for the Believers to be more knowledgeable of things of the spirit, let us never forget this too, “the problem is not Satan, the problem is you.”
Understanding “Yourself” as the Problem:
You may be wondering where I am going with this. Simply Isaiah 53:5-8 says that Jesus delivered a deadly blow to Satan’s power on this earth.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes, we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep, before her shearers are dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
8 He was taken from prison and judged: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off from the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
Satan no longer has authority over this world, this especially holds true in the life of the Believer in Christ. Jesus took all the power from Satan when He was crucified. Verse 5 notes that Jesus was wounded for our sins, so Satan no longer had authority over those who are in Christ Jesus. But the question remains, how does he receive power if he is a defeated foe? And the answer is simple, through uncrucified flesh! Believers can give Satan power or transfer power to him. How is this so? Easy, let us look to 1 Peter 5:8-9
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of suffering.
The author is writing regarding the downsides of our flesh. Satan roams like a roaring lion seeking areas in our flesh that are uncircumcised [not handed over, not dependent upon God]. Again, this is so, because Satan works through disobedience and because Man is now a fallen being as a result of the original sin in Genesis 3, the flesh is corruptible [sinful, dishonorable, unwilling to yield or obey God]. As a result of our sinful state, Satan can take advantage of the actions we commit.
You may ask, why is this so important for me to know? I am a believer and I confessed that Jesus is Lord, why must I crucify my flesh?
Well-beloved, according to Matthew 16:24-26 Jesus says that we must deny our flesh to inherit eternal life.
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. 25 For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake will find it [that is, life with Me for all eternity]. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world [wealth, fame, success], but forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
You must crucify your flesh daily, just because you claim to be a believer does not mean you are maturing in Christ. Frankly, being a believer and a mature saint are two different things. We will expand more on this topic later in the devotional. But beloved, you must know that Satan is a defeated foe and a powerless enemy who was rendered powerless at the cross, so stop blaming him for your actions. The Blood and crucifixion of Jesus Christ rendered Satan’s strategies void, so he has no real authority on this earth. The reason why satan roams the earth wreaking havoc is because uncrucified flesh is satan's playground. As a result, we fall prey to being tools and mechanisms Satan uses to do his nefarious plans that are contrary to the Word and Will of God. Let me repeat this, Satan is powerless, he only can act when disobedience and sin have been committed in the life of the believer and unbelievers. So beloved, Satan and his goons need a vessel, will it be you?
Let Deliverance be Your Bread:
As of recently, I had my share of reprimand and rebuke from the Lord. He showed me areas of my life that had been left uncrucified, and because they were I was an easy prey for the adversary to work in my life to cause chaos and calamity. Deliverance [simply falling out of agreement with something, liberation, or rescuing from something] is critical for the maturing Saint. Hebrews 12 talks more about the importance of falling out of agreement with sin and how the Lord disciplines His Children. Hebrews 12:4-13 says this:
4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”[a] 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 “Make level paths for your feet,”[b] so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
As witnessed in the Scripture, chastisement, correction, rebuke, and discipline are essential components in our walk with Christ. If our corruptible flesh is not being disciplined how can we possibly say that we know the Lord? The Lord is Holy, perfect, and blameless, when our flesh is uncircumcised we naturally oppose God’s nature. Beloved, being a disobedient and undisciplined believer is not His will for His children’s lives.
So what are the ways of the Flesh or Uncircumcision:
The Bible defines the ways of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21.
19 Now the practices of the [a]sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], 21 envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Notice the writer, Apostle Paul, lists characteristics and traits. Although there are spirits that can act through means of characteristics and traits, as believers in Christ our bodies should no longer be in the world but in Christ. To further expand on my point, let’s say Bob has a problem with fighting or fits of rage. Bob claims that he is saved and knows Christ. If Bob is actually saved, Bob would allow the Holy Spirit to come into his heart and change behaviors and traits that do not align with the Living God. This means Bob would control his thoughts with the help of the Holy Spirit and actively ensure his salvation is being carried out. Bob may avoid being in situations that would cause anger to manifest, or he may avoid the crowd who condoned his ungodly behavior. To drive this point home, although God is the perfecter and refiner of Godly character, Bob is the decider. He must actively choose daily to let the Holy Spirit refine, perfect and deliver him so that he is fit for the will of God.
But let’s say Bob does not allow the Holy Spirit to change his heart, and instead, Bob fights against the change the Holy Spirit is trying to complete because he does not like the correction and feels that it makes him uncomfortable. Then Bob’s uncrucified flesh becomes easy prey of the Adversary, the Devil, and Bob may no longer receive the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Bob can be overtaken by his flesh thus quenching the power of the Holy Spirit within Him leading him to eternal separation from God (Matthew 16:25).
Work out Your Salvation with Fear and Trembling
Hebrews 12 is a critical chapter for the maturing Saint. Verse 2 says:
2 Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith…
Beloved, we can not change without the help of the living God. Religion tells us that we can be perfect through our own means, but the relationship in Christ is allowing [yielding, forsaking our own fleshly agendas] the Lord to do the perfection within us (John 15:1-4).
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
A wise woman once told me, “Deliverance does not always look like one is spewing up demons and convulsing on the floor. Sometimes you just pick up your good grace and stop doing the things that kept you bound”. Beloved, this is a word of correction, no believer is perfect. But let the Lord finish His good work within you before your time ends here in this world.
6 I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return].
The chastisement of the Lord is never comfortable, but it is needed. Let Him finish His good work so that you will be made mature in Christ. We, His children, are not able to enter into eternal life without the Lord completing His good work within us. So let God be God, and let Him make you fit for His Kingdom and use.
Let us pray:
Dear Gracious and Heavenly Father, Lord we thank you for this word of correction. Your Word says that you correct those who are your children (verse). Lord, we want to be made mature and ready for the work you have set before us. We denounce our agendas and take up your will in our lives. Lord God, we crucify our flesh according to your word (verse). We thank you Lord and accept the correction and chastisement you have set before us. We thank you for all that you have done for us.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.