Sandstreams Safe Haven

Colossians 1:11-13
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son.

[I have been trying to put this post together all week but have been plagued with the worst sore throat I have ever had in my life! With so much pain I assumed that it was strep throat and went to the doctor for an antibiotic, which I knew would give me quick relief. Wrong! The test came out negative for strep and, according to my lame doctor who recommends a glass of wine for any kind of stress, only gave me the advice to take Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen alternately. That's it. I wanted to cry because I needed to feel better right away - - I had so much to do this week. I've continued to suffer with this throat and tried every home remedy under the sun to make it feel better all for naught. It's very slowly getting better but certainly not at the pace I would have liked.

So, this study... Power to Endure with Joy... Was this a test? On to the study -->]

There is despair in the realization that man is helpless under Satan. 2 Cor. 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Only Jesus Christ can break the grip of Satan. A human soul can not rid itself of this power in his own strength. He must have the impact of the Gospel which is Jesus Christ –> On the Cross –> and His Resurrection. Even after one becomes a Christian he is still helpless and requires the liberation by way of the power of Jesus Christ.

Colossians 1:13 – who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son

Men obey and worship Satan, even unconsciously, when they do not obey and worship the Creator. Total commitment to Christ is required for freedom from Satan’s bondage.
Satan is known as the god of this world or the prince of this world because of the great interest he has in being the ruler of it and all that are in it. Therefore, his subjects / slaves are under his influence and his darkness seeps into their minds causing ignorance, error and prejudices. This keeps them from the true light (truth) of the gospel of Christ.

God is power and wisdom, grace and mercy, while Satan represents dark ignorance – keeping the light of the gospel out of the hearts of men.

There is no in between in spiritual warfare. You either stand with Christ or against Him. We can learn from Jesus’ reactions to temptations in the desert and find protection from falling into sin:

1.  Develop a single mindedness toward God which will enable you to discern between God’s voice and the devils.
2. Start each day knowing that you are forgiven. There is no condemnation against you.
3. Have a right conscience before God.
4. Meet temptations in the power of the Holy Spirit. Call on His name and use the Word of God with confidence.
5. Trust and obey
6. Live selflessly. Victory over the tempter cannot be expected when one’s character is full of selfishness and self-pity.

There is no need to be afraid of Satan when we have this confidence of victory. Trust, obey and depend on the Holy Spirit and He will give you the power to endure. If you have to, pray like Corrie Ten Boom did in front of a congregation full of people in bondage: “In the name of Jesus I command all dark powers keeping people from the blessings of God to disappear. Go Away! Get out of the hearts of these people. Get out of this church. Go to the place where God sends you.” Tramp for the Lord (pg 68-69)

© 2011 Debora P. Gilley