Don’t Listen to the Accuser
“For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.”
See Revelation 12:10
“Matt, what do I do? I just can’t seem to forgive myself. I’m such a horrible person and I know it!” Ron, we’ll call him, emails me about a struggle he’s had his whole life. According to him, no matter what he does or doesn’t do, he feels condemned and constantly thinks about “how terrible of a person” he is.
Little does he know, he’s not a terrible person at all. He is cherished by God Himself. God’s opinion of Ron has been drowned out by Satan’s opinion, through Ron’s thought life. This is why it’s so important that we teach people the truth of their true identity in Christ. Sure, Paul had behavior passages in which he taught about how to live out who we are inside, but He never said our incorrect behaviors would cause God to go back on His promises. As a matter of fact, Paul said the more we mess up, the more God’s grace increases:
“But where sin increased, grace increased all the more” (see Romans 5:20)
He never said our mistakes would cause God to leave us–that’s Judaism. That’s Old Covenant. None of us are qualified to teach Judaism, which is an obsolete faith (see Hebrews 8:13). The only ministry we are all equally qualified to teach is the ministry of reconciliation (see 2 Corinthians 5:18, Colossians 1:22).
That’s what Paul did. He told everyone they were completely reconciled with God through their faith in Jesus, and the religious people hated him for it. “That’s too much grace! You gotta have some law in there so we know what to do!” Sadly, this continues on today with the modern church. Grace infuriates selfish people. It insults their wonderful self-made holiness. I mean, after all, just look at how much they do for God.
But anyway, for Ron, because he had been listening to ministries which taught him how worthless he was because of his incorrect actions and attitudes, he was easy prey for Satan. Those ministries–ministries of death (see 2 Corinthians 3:7)–brought him to a place of near suicide.
Friend, the gospel is not about our commitment to God, it’s about God’s commitment to us, through Jesus. You are not a promise keeper, God is. Those words will incite rage in egotistical demons who lie to legalists each day, but I’m not here to lie to you: you are an absolute failure when it comes to your commitment to God–and so am I.
For this reason, Satan loves ministries that teach us to try harder, do better, repent, and be radical; that way, when we fail–not if–he can easily pounce. “Just look at you! You suck at being a Christian! Give up!”
On the other hand, he hates ministries that teach Christians about what has truly happened to them inside their spirits…perfection. He can see your perfect spirit because he is in the spiritual realm. His theology is that of God’s, he knows the truth, and he’s here to twist it so you don’t understand it.
The devil knows we will act like who we think we are. If we know and think we are heaven-ready saints who sometimes sin–but the temporary insanity of choosing to sin won’t change our identity–Satan’s demonic forces stand no chance against us. As children of God, the devil and his dummies can’t touch you, they can’t possess you, they can’t do anything to you except accuse you. Just look at what John said:
“for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them.” (See 1 John 5:18)
As a Christian, you are literally possessed by Christ’s Spirit (see Colossians 3:3, 1 Corinthians 6:19, John 14:23, Ephesians 4:30). Because of such, His Spirit will not share your body with a demon or the devil. In all of history, no Christian has ever been possessed by Satan or a demon.
Now, they might be around people who think such–and even act this fallacy out–but God won’t share your spirit with anything from hell. You see people wiggling on the floor in some churches, getting “demons cast out,” but this is simply an incorrect act which has been passed down over the generations. It is a learned thing, something they’ll have to unlearn. Sure, the enemy wants them to think they are possessed–but they’re not–that is, if they believe Jesus has forgiven them.
There is not one single recorded event in the Bible where a demon is being cast out of a Christian. Unbelievers? Yeah, quite often. But not someone who has God indwelling them. THEY ARE SECURE!
I wanted to get that out there because understanding this truth will help you realize just how weak our accuser is. Honestly, that’s all he does to us, accuse us day and night. For this reason, John called him, “the accuser of our brothers and sisters” (See Revelation 12:10).
It’s very difficult to get over our past if we are believing this moron’s lies. In our minds, the devil can convince us that God is angry with us. He wants you to think your salvation didn’t stick and your thoughts and choices prove that. Thoughts and choices can’t change anyone’s identity, so believe me when I say God is not mad at you.
“Matt, that can’t be true! He has to be mad at me over my sin! He has to be punishing me!”
Friend, He’s not. What do you think the Cross was for? God’s wrath over all sin was completely satisfied through Jesus’ punishment (see Romans 5:9). Trust me, you don’t want to deal with even a drop of His wrath like those who rejected Him before Jesus–and you never will! Why? Because you are His child! He’s not mad at you one bit! He loves you, He counsels you, He disciples you, He wants the best for you, but He is not mad at you!
“Well…fine! Maybe He’s not mad, but I know He’s disgusted with me!”
Nope. He’s not disgusted with you either, you are actually His masterpiece. Masterpieces are set up high for all to see and enjoy! Paul told the Christians in Ephesus this truth:
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus…” (See Ephesians 2:10)
So today, my friends, know this: Believe the truth about yourself today! Believe you are God’s masterpiece! Believe you are the apple of His eye! Believe you are His cherished child, because that’s who you are! When the accuser tries to convince you otherwise because of your mistakes, inform him of your heavenly heritage! Inform him that you know who your Dad is! Inform him that his days are numbered and that you are a saint! And he might say, “Yeah, but you still struggle with ____________!” To that, simply reply, “Even more proof of how secure I am in Christ! Loser.” That’s what he is, a loser, and he can’t stand it. You, however, are royalty!
A prayer for you: Heavenly Father, thank you for teaching me about the spiritual world and how the enemy works. Thanks for revealing how weak he is. All he can do is bark like a stupid, angry, frustrated dog on the other side of a fence who can’t get at me. Most of the time I ignore him, but at other times I STOMP at him, and he scampers off like the sissy he is. He can’t touch us! All he can do is point out the mistakes of our past, and the temporary failures we have each day. Right now, I lift up all who are reading this, directly to you. For the believers who don’t truly understand who they are inside, reveal it to them! Let them know their spirits are perfect! Let them know their past, present, and even future sins are forgiven–because you are not bound by time! Teach them how to walk by their spiritual perfection. When they make choices and have attitudes that don’t match up with who they really are inside, remind them gently. I know you will. You are a gentle God. Sure, before Jesus was punished on the Cross, your wrath was poured out left and right over the sin of the world, but through the New Covenant you are satisfied with us in full! We love you so much! Thank you! Teach these dear readers how to focus on that love, and to ignore the accuser’s lies so they can enjoy their lives so much more. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
This devotional is from 60 Days for Jesus, Volume 3. Get your copy here!