God is a good God. But there are those who tend to believe that all the bad and negative things that happen to them are from Him. When something goes wrong instead of standing up and placing the blame where it actually belongs by running off the demon spirit that caused the problem, many sit back and say, "God why did you allow this? Why did you allow that? I know you could have stopped this from happening if you had of really wanted to."
It is not God’s fault that things are going wrong in your life. It is not God’s fault that your marriage broke up. It’s not God’s fault you’re having financial trouble or even that your health is poor. He made arrangements through and by His precious Son Jesus for every need you have to be met.
Philippians 4:19 tells us:"But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
God isn’t allowing bad things to happen to you. You’re allowing bad things to happen to yourself by not standing up to the true enemy, the devil. God doesn’t allow bad things to happen, people allow bad things to happen.
Not God
It’s the wayward husband or wife that allowed the devil to lead them astray, not God. It’s the drunkard that comes home and beats up his wife, not God. It was the man in a mask that robbed the bank, not God. It was you that went shopping and spent more than you could afford that left your bank account overdrawn, not God.
The devil is the enemy, not God. And the sooner you realize this the sooner you’ll be on your way to victory!
We Have Been Given Power
God created the earth and gave us dominion (power) over every living thing that moves upon the earth. (Genesis 1:28). He intended for us to rule this planet. He never intended for the devil to have any say in anything we do here.
Jesus Has All power!
Matthew 28:18. "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."
Jesus Gives Us Power
Luke 10:19. "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."
Jesus said, "after the Holy Ghost is come upon you, you shall receive power."
Acts 1:8. "But ye shall receive power, after that the HolyGhost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
God wants us to arise from where we are, use the power He has given us through His Son, and cast the devil out of our presence. He is not going to do it for us.
James 4:7. "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
1st John 4:4. "Ye are of God, little Children, and have overcome them: because greater is He (Jesus) that is in you, than he (the devil) that is in the world."
What about Job?
At some point in your Christian walk, when problems appear and sickness occurs, you may wonder "What about Job"? He went through a living hell, God not only allowed satan to tempt him, He actually encouraged it. So, it must beGod doing this or allowing this to happen to me.
Well, let me tell you about Job and his situation. He was under a different set of rules than we are. It’s that simple. Think what you may, but Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil and the works of the devil had NOT been destroyed in the days of Job.
Read these scriptures if you don’t believe me.
1st John 3:8. "….For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."
John 10:10. "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
Hebrews 2:14. "For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;"
God is not going to change His mind and go against His Word. God gave Jesus power over the devil, then Jesus in turn gave us power over the devil. So the devil is forever put in his place.
Since Jesus rendered satan powerless where then, does he get his power?
Demon spirits must have a vessel to work through; therefore the devil looks for those who do not have the Word of God in their hearts or for those who are weak in their faith. This is where he gets his power. Satan uses people to hurt other people. He has absolutely no power unless it is given to him by human beings. If he can, he will enter those who are not protected by the blood of Jesus. That is why it is dangerous to walk around out of the Will of God. Satan is out there too, looking for you.
1st Peter 5:8. "Be sober, be vigilant: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"
The truth is…
There is no reason why we shouldn’t be living a victorious life each and every day. The devil is under our feet so we should be walking around well and with every need met. If you’re needs aren’t being met? If you are sick in body, start right now and allow the Holy Ghost to rise up within you and overthrow the plan of satan for your life. Do NOT be ignorant of his devices and don’t allow him to take advantage of you.
2nd Corinthians 2:11. "Lest satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices."
We already know he wants to devour us. We know he wants to make us sick and keep us troubled. So, why then, do we allow it to continue? Let’s stop him now! As we quoted above, greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world.
The Bottom line…
God sent His Son to save lives, not destroy them.
Luke 9:56. "
For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."
And no, God has NOT given the devil special permission to try and test you. God is not the enemy. The devil is. And the only power he has is the power you give him!
Ephesians 4:21. "Neither give place to the devil."
Copyright 2001 by Darlene Osborne
Darlene is Publisher and Founding Editor-in-Chief of The Christian Online Magazine
