As Christians, we can never be alone in our daily struggles against the forces of evil that seek to oppress and enslave us. See, we have a powerful ally in the person of Jesus Christ, who has triumphed over all the powers of darkness on our behalf.
Through His death and resurrection, we have been set free from the grip of sin and death and given the power to live as victorious overcomers in Him. On top of this, He has given us the Holy Spirit as a personal friend. Let’s get started on defeating the powers of darkness and triumph in Christ.
» Saturday, 3rd February 2023 | I Stand In The Gap Daily Devotional | Defeating the Powers of Darkness: Triumph in Christ
The daily devotional theme for yesterday was “overcoming anxiety by trusting in God“ and today’s is “defeating the powers of darkness and triumph in Christ”.
Anchor verse of the day:
Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.”
Colossians 2:15 (NKJV)
This verse, part of Paul’s letter to the Colossians, speaks about the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ disarmed the powers of darkness and evil and made a public display of His victory over them.
By this singular sacrifice, every believer is made free from the power of sin and death and can thence live in triumph over temptation and every evil through a personal union with Christ.
Themes:
- Victory: The verse speaks of gaining victory over the powers of darkness. That is, God through Jesus Christ is victorious over the evil forces of the world.
- Disarming: The powers of darkness are said to have been forever disarmed. Yes, their ability to harm and control us is neutralized through the death and resurrection of Jesus. This theme speaks to the power and efficacy of the gospel in freeing us from sin and its effects.
- Triumph: The term “triumph” refers to the final victory that Jesus achieved through His death and resurrection, and the subsequent triumph that believers can experience in their daily lives as they put their trust in Him. This theme encourages Christians to live in the confidence of their salvation and the power of God’s love and grace in their lives.
Background:
The background to Colossians 2:15 is within the context of the letter written by the apostle Paul to the church in Colossae.
Paul wrote this letter to address false teachings that had infiltrated the church and were undermining the gospel message.
In Colossians 2:15, he is addressing these false teachings, which consisted of a mixture of falsehood from Jewish legalism, Greek philosophy, and asceticism.
At that time, the false teachers were promoting these ideas as the means of attaining salvation, spiritual maturity, and fullness in Christ, but Paul refuted this idea and emphasized the sufficiency of Christ in providing the fullness of God to those who believe in Him.
Similar verses:
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.
Colossians 1:13
This verse is similar to Colossians 2:15 in that both speak about being delivered from the power of darkness and into the kingdom of Christ. The emphasis in Colossians 1:13 is on the act of deliverance and conveyance, while Colossians 2:15 focuses on the triumph over the powers of darkness through Christ.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12
This is similar to Colossians 2:15 in that both speak about a spiritual battle against the powers of darkness. The emphasis in Ephesians 6:12 is on the reality of the spiritual battle, while Colossians 2:15 focuses on the triumph over the powers of darkness through Christ.
Ways in which principalities attack Christians —
- Temptation: Principalities can tempt Christians to sin, causing them to distance themselves from God and leaving them vulnerable to further attack.
- False teaching and deception: They can influence false teachings and ideologies that lead to confusion and error in the Christian faith.
- Fear and anxiety: Principalities can create fear and anxiety in Christians, causing them to lose their focus on God and His promises.
- Physical and emotional afflictions: The devil and his cohorts can afflict Christians with physical or emotional pain, causing them to lose hope and faith in God. This affliction can come in the form of sicknesses and diseases.
- Discouragement and hopelessness: Principalities can cause Christians to feel discouraged and hopeless, leading them to question their faith in God.
- Unforgiveness and bitterness: Bitterness and unforgiveness can be fostered by them in Christians, leading to division and strife in relationships.
- Idolatry: Principalities can lead Christians to focus on things other than God, making them idol worshipers. Remember your God is a jealous God.
- Pride and arrogance: Principalities can foster or create pride and arrogance in Christians, causing them to be self-centered and less dependent on God.
- Addiction and compulsive behaviors: Principalities can lead Christians to addictive or compulsive behaviors, thereby damaging their lives and relationships.
- Delusion and confusion: They can create a state of delusion and confusion in Christians, causing them to question their beliefs and make poor decisions. Some even go to the extent of saying they’re atheists.
What about causing sicknesses, barrenness, and childlessness?
The Bible does teach that Satan and his minions can afflict people and cause harm, but Christians are not left defenseless. They have the authority in Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome the attacks of the enemy.
The Bible encourages believers to resist the devil and to stand firm in their faith, putting on the armor of God to protect themselves against the schemes of the enemy (Ephesians 6:10-18).
It is also important for Christians to seek God’s will and trust in His plan for their lives, knowing that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
Reflection:
Based on our title of “defeating the powers of darkness and triumph in Christ”, as Christians in the current dispensation, we have to strive to live in a way that demonstrates our victory over sin and the powers of darkness through our total faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
The way for the believer to do this is to rely on the strength and grace of Christ, which is given freely, to throw off the old self and put on the new self in Christ, and to live a life that is marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
As believers, we should constantly, and on daily basis, resist the urge to return to sin and instead make the decision to live in a way that honors God and demonstrates the reality of their victory in Christ.
Listen: when the believer sins, a door of entry is opened for the devil to attack.
How should Christians GET Victory over the devil and disarm the powers of darkness?
This can be done in many ways such as indulging in consistent prayer and reading of the Word of God, resisting temptation in all its forms, living a life of obedience to God’s will and purposes, and having a close relationship with the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
Additionally, as a Christian, you have to put on the armor of God as described in Ephesians 6:10-18, which includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
By putting on this armor of God, and relying entirely on God’s power and strength, Christians can have victory over the devil, witches and wizards, and the powers of darkness.
Prayer
Father, as we come to you today, we acknowledge your power and strength in our lives. We recognize that there are powers of darkness and demonic forces that seek to take hold of us and bring us down. But we declare that we have triumph in Christ, who has disarmed the powers of darkness and given us the victory through His death.
We thank you for sending your son Jesus to defeat the enemy and to give us the authority to stand against the schemes of the devil. As we pray, we ask for your continued guidance and protection as we navigate through this world, and for the strength to resist temptation and the courage to face any challenges that come our way.
Father, help us to remain steadfast in our faith and to always trust in your goodness and grace. Help us to pray to put the evil one at bay. May we walk divinely in the confidence that comes from knowing we are victorious in You, and may this solid victory be evident in every aspect of our lives.
In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray.
Amen.
