"Play nice today." Did you ever hear that when you were a child? Mom or dad would tell you that when you left for school in the morning. So, as obedient little children, we would do our very best to be nice to everyone. Well, that worked with some kids - probably those whose moms and dads had also told them to "play nice." But, as you know, there was always the playground bully. Apparently his parents never told him the rules of engagement for playgrounds! He would push you around, say ugly things, intimidate you, even physically threaten you. He was even bold enough to just come take what he wanted from you. Being the "nice" kid that you were taught to be, you usually just stood there with your mouth open, staring at him like "what just happened?" Bottom line - the bully always got what he wanted. It never did any good to try to be nice to the bully, to try to hide from the bully, to try to placate him with whatever he wanted. He was still a bully and he never quit.
Eventually you figured out (or someone wiser than you told you) that the only way to stop the bully was to fight back! When you finally had enough you determined that he wasn't going to do it again. The next time he came after you was different. You didn't stand there with your mouth gaping open - wide-eyed. No, you started kicking, screaming, pulling hair, gouging eyes, and slugging. Whatever it took to stop the bully and hold on to your "stuff" - you did! This might mean you were going to get a black eye, or wind up in the mud hole, or even in the Principal's office. But you didn't care - it was the only way to stop the bully. Once he saw that you weren't going to be a push-over and he couldn't take your "stuff" without a fight, he usually would go looking for the next victim.
Well - that's how the devil is! He is the ultimate bully. He has absolutely no right to anything we have, but he tries to take it anyway. He will push, pull, shove, intimidate, lie - whatever it takes to get you to let go of what belongs to you. If you just stand there and do nothing he will take any and everything he wants. You have to reach the place that you are through with being bullied by the devil. It's going to require some kicking, screaming, pulling hair, gouging eyes, and slugging. You might even get a black eye! But - in the end - you will be the winner and the devil will know that if he's going to try and get your stuff there's gonna be a fight.
God has given us everything we need to fight the bully on the playground. He gave us his Word, which is called the sword of the spirit. He gave us His Son, who already defeated the bully. We also have the Blood of Jesus. If that's not enough, we're in BIG trouble.
So - stop letting the bully take your health, your wealth, your peace, your blessings, your victory. Pick up the sword of the spirit and start screaming at the ole bully. Kick, scream, gouge, push, yell - whatever it takes.
Matthew 11:12 says: And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force. Get violent with the devil! Jesus already defeated him, so you get out there, open your mouth, and enforce that defeat.
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