One day Jesus cast out a demon from a man who couldn't speak, and when the demon was gone, the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed, but some of them said, "No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons."
—Luke 11:14-15 NLT
One of the ways Satan tries to discourage God's workers is through the constant badgering and attacks of tenaciously unfair opponents. Satan knew his power was no match for Jesus. So, when Jesus cast out a demon, the evil one made sure the voices of Jesus' opponents were heard. In the deceptive mode as the "father of lies" (i.e., Satan [1]), the opponents of Jesus directly turned around the truth of this exorcism. They claimed Jesus' power to cast out demons came from Satan. Of course, we can easily see the lie from our distance. However, be warned, dear Christian servant! Don't be discouraged or defeated if the good you do is attributed to false motives or to the power of evil. If Jesus' opponents did it to our Savior, they are going to do it to us also. But, if Jesus could stand firm, then by his power, we can stand firm as well.
[1] John 8:42-47.
Holy God, I confess that the unfair criticism of my motives and my actions is discouraging. Thank you for helping me see that similar criticisms happened to your Son. If Satan could turn around the truth of his own defeat and attribute Jesus' power to evil, then I know the opposition that I face should not be surprising. Help me keep the ultimate victory of Jesus over sin, death, and Satan in my head and in my heart so that these unfair attacks do not derail or defeat me. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2023 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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—Luke 11:14-15 NLT
Key Thought
One of the ways Satan tries to discourage God's workers is through the constant badgering and attacks of tenaciously unfair opponents. Satan knew his power was no match for Jesus. So, when Jesus cast out a demon, the evil one made sure the voices of Jesus' opponents were heard. In the deceptive mode as the "father of lies" (i.e., Satan [1]), the opponents of Jesus directly turned around the truth of this exorcism. They claimed Jesus' power to cast out demons came from Satan. Of course, we can easily see the lie from our distance. However, be warned, dear Christian servant! Don't be discouraged or defeated if the good you do is attributed to false motives or to the power of evil. If Jesus' opponents did it to our Savior, they are going to do it to us also. But, if Jesus could stand firm, then by his power, we can stand firm as well.
[1] John 8:42-47.
Today's Prayer
Holy God, I confess that the unfair criticism of my motives and my actions is discouraging. Thank you for helping me see that similar criticisms happened to your Son. If Satan could turn around the truth of his own defeat and attribute Jesus' power to evil, then I know the opposition that I face should not be surprising. Help me keep the ultimate victory of Jesus over sin, death, and Satan in my head and in my heart so that these unfair attacks do not derail or defeat me. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2023 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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