Achieving Victory ~ Mark Balmer

Based on “What Satan Doesn’t Want You to Know” by Pastor Mark Balmer;

11/7-8/09, Message #MB395; Daily Devotional #6 - “Achieving Victory”

Preparing the Soil (Introduction): Throughout the teachings at CCM we are often reminded that, as Christ followers, we are actively engaged in spiritual warfare. The world has taught us that only the things we do in the physical world constitute sin and require penalty. After all, it would seem odd if a person were fined for thinking about stealing or jailed for wishing to do physical harm to some person. Jesus cares about our physical well being and needs, but we need to remember that Jesus is mostly concerned with our minds and hearts. Though the enemy has been defeated by Jesus our Savior, we still must overcome the thoughts of our “natural man” and instead seek “the mind of Christ.”

Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): Jesus gives us a tremendous example of how to achieve victory by applying Scripture. After forty days of fasting in the desert, Jesus is tempted by the devil himself. When tempted by the devil, Jesus did not answer, “Well, I believe…” or “I was taught…” but instead, directly quotes the Word of God to rebuke him. We see that Jesus has such knowledge and authority of the Scripture that He is even able to quote Scripture to correct the devil’s misuse of it. (Matthew 4:7). As Christ followers, we must take in the Word daily so that when the time comes we can refer to it rather than fall into the snare of rationalizing sin and trying to accommodate it in our daily thinking. If we know that we have been falling short in a particular area, we should seek Scripture to help us in the fight. For example, if I know that I am short of patience with a particular person, I may mediate on and memorize the verse, A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.(Proverbs 15:1) If you are feeling tempted, you could arm yourself with the verse Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7) This way when faced with a snare we can be quick to recite Scripture to combat it.

Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Christ followers must remember that the spiritual battle is a marathon and not a sprint. Just like the body requires nourishment, our minds and heart need the Word daily to ensure that we are not overtaken. Most coaches will practice via repetition so that in a game setting the body can react without conscious thought. We must seek to immerse our minds in Scripture so that when we are challenged we can react with authority and achieve the victory we seek. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11)

Cultivating (Additional Reading): Matthew 4:1-11; 2 Corinthians 10:5