John 19:30 – When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

THEME OF THE DAY: DOING BATTLE AGAINST THE DEVIL. The last book of the Revelation identifies one of the titles and work of the devil. John writes, “And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God” (Revelation 12:10). The devil is a master at accusing God’s children of many things. One such accusation is our sins; past and present. Who has not felt the stings of remorse, regret, and disappointment when reminded of our many failings and shortcomings in our walks with the Lord? What makes those stings worse is they are true. Even though the devil is “the father of lies”, when he accuses us of sin and spiritual failures, he is speaking the truth. So how do we deal with this accuser of our souls? A couple of ways . . .

First, don’t take an aggressive, offensive posture against the devil by attacking him with human reason or will power. It is simply foolish to think we can rush into battle against him toe-to-toe. We simply are no match for this spiritual fiend. Even the angels don’t do direct combat with the devil (Jude 9). We are never called to go after our enemy. We are called to stand against our enemy. The Apostle Paul wrote in the great spiritual warfare chapter of Ephesians 6 these words, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness” (Ephesians 6:10-14). Notice the position he exhorts us to take in this battle with the evil one. It is one of defense or standing. He would mention the words “stand” and “withstand” four times in five verses showing the Christian in battle is not the aggressor. Try to fight the devil by going after him, or reasoning with him and we will be slain immediately. We reason with the Lord, not the devil (Isaiah 1:18).

The other way to do battle against the accuser of our souls is to rest in what God has said about our sins. Yes, the devil accuses us of sin, but what he does not do is acknowledge they are forgiven sins. And if we don’t arm our minds and protect our hearts with the words of Jesus in today’s scripture concerning our sins, we will believe the accuser, not the Lord. Jesus said, “It is finished.” The work of salvation and forgiveness of sin is done; never to be repeated or our sins ever remembered. In the dialogue between Job and Elihu, Elihu said, “Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice” (Job 34:12). How would God do wickedly and pervert justice? By punishing Jesus for our sins, then turn around and punish us for those very same sins. Praise God. He is just and won’t do wickedly. What He punished on His Son, He will not and cannot punish us. The penalty due is paid. We are no longer under condemnation despite what the accuser may say to our souls.

So, when the accusations rage in our conscience, run and hide behind the safest place possible; the justifying work of our Lord Jesus and tell yourself over and over – “It is finished. My sins are gone, though remembered by me and the devil, not so with my forgiving God.”

PRAYER: “Father, I so praise You for executing Your justice on Your Son for me.”

QUOTE: “God cannot punish Jesus for our sins and us. His sacrifice is once and for all.”