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I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. 1 John 2:13-14
In a day of deliverance ministries and demon hunting very few preach that believers have already overcome the devil. The believers victory over Satan is exactly what John is speaking of in our text. One interesting thing to consider is that you will never find one single case of any believer, after the cross, ever being possessed by a demon or trying to break a generational curse from off their life.
It's important to remember that in Christ you are perfect and complete (Colossians 2:10), there is no struggle because you are seated in the heavens with Christ - Satan is under your feet (Ephesians 1:20-21.)
Many Christians approach the devil in anger, rebuking and commanding him when in reality often this is just an exercise in fear; while there is a warfare present, the battle as we have seen previously, is in the mind.
The Truth is that Satan is terrified of the one that realizes their power and position in Christ; Satan knows that for the mature believer there is no struggle, there is no trying to be victorious because the believer rests in the fact that Jesus has already defeated and destroyed the enemy through His work at the cross. John says in 1 John 3:8,
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
Paul the apostle writes in Colossians 1:12-13,
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:
The Greek word for "Darkness" in this verse is "Skotos" and means, "1) darkness a) of night darkness b) of darkened eyesight or blindness 2) metaph. a) of ignorance respecting divine things and human duties, and the accompanying ungodliness and immorality, together with their consequent misery in hell b) persons in whom darkness becomes visible and holds sway"
If you are in Christ you are in the light in whom there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5) If you were to walk into a dark room and flip on the light switch, what happens? The darkness flees! In the same way the powers of darkness can't get close enough to the light that you are without having to flee - Light always over-powers darkness.
Dear believer, I would encourage you to stand firm in the faith and realize your victory in Christ. More on that tomorrow...
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