Not Playing Fair

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. Hebrews 4:14

Satan is my accuser. He’s relentless and he doesn’t play fair.

• He tempts me to sin and I buy his idea. I indulge and then he has plenty with which to charge me.
• He reports my sin to God and demands that the sentence of the law for that crime be carried out.
• When Satan comes to accuse me, he meets Jesus, my Priest and Mediator. I picture Jesus dressed like a priest.
• How does Jesus respond to the accusations? He cries, “She’s forgiven! She’s justified!”

Satan accuses me in two places; before the throne and to me directly. If I forget that I am forgiven and justified, and forget about that meeting between Satan and Jesus, I’ll be vulnerable in the presence of condemnation. I have to remember that he will mimic the voice of my conscience. He knows that I want to please Jesus and avoid sin. He knows that I take my conscience seriously ~ so how insidious for him to speak to me in a way that sounds like a guilty conscience. Here are some examples from personal experience.

SATAN’S VOICE	GOD’S VOICE
You should read your Bible more. What kind of a Christian are you?	Come home! I really miss you.
Your prayer life stinks!	I hope you’ll talk with me. I’m the perfect listener and I have so much to tell you.
You failed again? God is so dis- appointed in you.	I paid for your sins; past, present, & future. Today is a clean slate. It’s my gift to you. Live forgiven!

What is my strategy for overcoming the accusations of Satan? The blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony. Rev. 12:10,11  I ask God for a hedge of protection, a blood shield, between me and the accuser.  Then, I speak up and state my status as God’s child.

Oh Jesus, I am forgiven, I’ve been bought with the blood of Christ, I am holy in Your eyes. I say to my enemy, ‘Be gone’! Amen