1 John 1:7
In the previous biblical studies, we discussed the blood of
Jesus:
This study continues and concludes with the miraculous blood
of Jesus and its necessity in our lives.
Overcoming Satan Through the Blood
We can overcome Satan in our lives and the lives of our loved
ones by claiming the atoning work of Christ and His shed blood for us.
And they overcame him by the blood
of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives
unto the death. Revelation
12:11
Our faith in what the blood of Jesus does for us will bring us
the victory. We are never to walk in condemnation, but in the righteousness of
Christ. When we are “born again,” we then have Christ’s righteousness.
There is therefore now no
condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh,
but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:1
We can come boldly before the Lord; washed clean in the blood
of Jesus. We can have not only fellowship, but also access to the power and
authority of Christ.
. . . by the blood of the Lamb, and
by the word of their testimony . . . Revelation 12:11
This does not mean our individual testimonies alone of what
the Lord has done for us, but rather our testimony of the Word of God. As we
speak the words of the Old and New Testaments, we overcome the devil. God’s
Word will overcome any situation. We must allow the Word of the Lord to abide
in us so that we can speak it forth and overcome. We can now speak the Word and it will come to
pass because we ask in the name of Jesus.
If ye abide in me, and my words
abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. John 15:7
The last part of this verse in Revelation 12:11 says, “…and
they loved not their lives unto the death.”
Faith in the blood of Jesus, the Lamb, and speaking the Word
of God are not enough to get the victory over Satan. We must also lay down our
lives to the degree that we would be willing to die for Christ’s sake. If we do
not have this kind of commitment, then somewhere along the way we’ll fail, no
matter how strong we are in our faith or the Word. A total commitment is required
if we are to be an overcomer. A half-hearted commitment will fail us. We must
be willing to go anywhere, do anything, and give up anything for the cause of
Christ. Some of us have never been overcomers in the lesser issues of life, yet
are claiming big things for God. The way to get the victory is to daily crucify
our flesh -
Mortify therefore your members which
are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil
concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: Colossians 3:5
- and obey the Lord in the little things, then we’ll be able
to overcome in larger realms.
We may think we have made a total commitment and have
crucified our flesh. However, a good check to see if we have “died to self”
would be to see how you measure against dying to self in the following ways:
“Dying to Self” Checklist:
® When we do not allow any disorder,
irregularity or arrogance to come against our peace, when we are face to face
with filth, waste, stupidity or spiritual pride, and endure it as Jesus endured
it, that is “dying to self.”
® When we can see our brother and sister prosper
and have their needs met and can honestly rejoice with them in the Spirit, and
feel no envy, nor question God as to why our own needs are not being met, that
is “dying to self.”
® When we don’t care to have others know of
our good works, and never refer to our self in conversation, or even care to
have anyone commend us, when we truly don’t mind being the unknown, that is
“dying to self.”
® When we are purposely set aside,
rejected, forgotten, and hurt with the insult of oversight — but our spirit
sings because we are being counted worthy to suffer for Christ, that is “Dying
to Self.”
® When our advice is disregarded, our
opinions ridiculed, and all manner of evil is spoken against us, and we refuse
to let anger rise in our heart, or even defend our self, but take it all with
patient, loving silence, that is “dying to self.”
® When we are content with the location we
live, the climate, the society, the solitude of the “backside of the desert,”
and are willing to have our plans changed or interrupted by the will of God at
any moment, that is “dying to self.”
® When we can receive correction and
reproof, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up in our heart, that is
“dying to self.”
Are we “dead to self?” Dying
to the flesh means making choices, dying to our ways and living to the Lord’s
ways.
The power of men’s’ will can either make us an overcomer or
send us to hell. If we set our will with the will of God, we can become that
overcomer. We are promised many blessings as we follow the Lord, and on the
other side of the coin there are curses for going our own way. We must choose.
If ye be willing and obedient, ye
shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be
devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Isaiah
1:19-20
The Lord wants to heal us, bless us and make us whole. The
choice is ours.
“If my people, which are called by
my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from
their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin,
and will heal their land” 2 Chronicles 7:14
God is always looking for a willing mind and a perfect heart.
He wants to use those who qualify, even as He used men and women of the Bible.
We must choose and obey, even as Solomon did when he built the temple.
And thou, Solomon my son, know thou
the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing
mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations
of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou
forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. Take heed now; for the Lord hath
chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it. 1 Chronicles 28:9-10
Healing of the spirit, soul and body always begins with the
choice to follow Jesus and the subsequent choices to continue to walk with Him.
To receive complete wholeness, we must make a complete commitment, even as Jesus
spoke the greatest commandment:
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love
the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy
mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it,
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the
law and the prophets. Matthew 22:37-40
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