Many people have complained that they would like to have victory over bad habits but they can’t even control their thoughts. And when they try to it even becomes harder and they seem to fail more. Especially young Christians who have just given their lives to Jesus suffer and are plagued with impure thoughts that disturb them. The reason why things get even more difficult after committing to God for help is that Satan will not release anyone from habits he has controlled them with without a battle. But there is a uncomplicated process to win in this battle. Here are three ways you have Power over Bad Habits, Addictions, and Wrong Thoughts by the authority of Christ as Conquer over Satan and His Angels:
Number one: By The Cross: By the Cross that Christ died on for your sins at Calvary and the shedding of the blood of the Son of God you have been redeemed (that is paid for by that blood). Here is the bible verse: 1Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. Now tell Satan and his demons that you are living to glorify God and honor Jesus with your body and all the authority belongs to God. Command him in the name of Jesus to leave.
Then look at the verse just before it: 1Cor. 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? Quote the verse and tell Satan your body now belongs to Jesus and to leave and not return and finally quote a verse on the blood that you were bought with for the power is in the value of the blood, which is of an infinite worth. It is the life of the Creator that has bought you.
Here is what the verse says regarding the unlimited value and power of the blood of Jesus: “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold… But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 1Peter 1:18-19
Number Two: By Living In and Abiding in Christ you have the greatest power in the world in you, much greater than Satan. The bible says, “because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4”. Jesus has committed to live in you if you love him and obey his word. Here is the promise, “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. John 14:23.” Jesus will abide and be in you. You may not feel a difference but there are new feelings. He is working to change your sorrow to joy, your perplexing future to hope, your lack of satisfaction in this world to love, and the bible says it this way that Jesus will meet all your needs. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19”
Number Three: Jesus Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father in Heaven and when we abide with Him we by faith enter into that heavenly place and are protected by the living actual presence of Christ Himself. Here are the verses that explain it:
- “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 18:10”. The Guardian angels are quick to protect God’s children and rush with angels wings to do the bidding of the Father in Heaven. You are one of His little ones. The disciple John often refereed to believers as God’s little children because that is the tender way that all heaven views us. Such as this verse: “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 1 John 2:1.”
- Here is a beautiful example of How God views us, ” The Son of God, looking upon the world, beheld suffering and misery. With pity He saw how men had become victims of satanic cruelty. He looked with compassion upon those who were being corrupted, murdered, and lost. They had chosen a ruler who chained them to his car as captives. Bewildered and deceived, they were moving on in gloomy procession toward eternal ruin,—to death in which is no hope of life, toward night to which comes no morning. Satanic agencies were incorporated with men. The bodies of human beings, made for the dwelling place of God, had become the habitation of demons. The senses, the nerves, the passions, the organs of men, were worked by supernatural agencies in the indulgence of the vilest lust. The very stamp of demons was impressed upon the countenances of men. Human faces reflected the expression of the legions of evil with which they were possessed. Such was the prospect upon which the world’s Redeemer looked. What a spectacle for Infinite Purity to behold! Sin had become a science, and vice was consecrated as a part of religion. Rebellion had struck its roots deep into the heart, and the hostility of man was most violent against heaven. It was demonstrated before the universe that, apart from God, humanity could not be uplifted. A new element of life and power must be imparted by Him who made the world. With intense interest the unfallen worlds had watched to see Jehovah arise, and sweep away the inhabitants of the earth. And if God should do this, Satan was ready to carry out his plan for securing to himself the allegiance of heavenly beings. He had declared that the principles of God’s government make forgiveness impossible. Had the world been destroyed, he would have claimed that his accusations were proved true. He was ready to cast blame upon God, and to spread his rebellion to the worlds above. But instead of destroying the world, God sent His Son to save it. Though corruption and defiance might be seen in every part of the alien province, a way for its recovery was provided. At the very crisis, when Satan seemed about to triumph, the Son of God came with the embassage of divine grace. Through every age, through every hour, the love of God had been exercised toward the fallen race. Notwithstanding the perversity of men, the signals of mercy had been continually exhibited. And when the fullness of the time had come, the Deity was glorified by pouring upon the world a flood of healing grace that was never to be obstructed or withdrawn till the plan of salvation should be fulfilled. Desire of Ages page 37″
- “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. . Psalms 34:7.” God camps around you by the presence of the angels and they protect you. One morning I pulled into work and parked behind the office and I walked around to the passengers door to get my things and before I knew it I had an open door behind me and a very angry man in front of me and with a car parked on my side also I was boxed in with no where to go. He began to hem me in and get closer all the while he was hitting his fist in the palm of his hand and saying I thought I told you not to send me that tax form didn’t I. For some reason I was calm, almost dumb calm and while he was looking at me I saw out of the corner of my eye two birds flying by but one stopped in the air about 15 feet just north east of me in the air and was fluttering there. The other stopped even closer, I began to feel two little claws on my head. It was just a reaction but my hand immediately went up into the air and I tried to brush it off my head. It flew up and then I felt the gentle little claws land on my head the second time. When that Happened I just spoke out loud the man’s name and said, “Did you see that a bird landed on my head, a bird landed on my head”. He looked at me and turned his head at an angle with a real dumbfounded look and then turned around walk quickly straight to his vehicle and drove off.”
- God has so many ways to deliver us. The whole book of Psalms is about how God is not only our Savior from sin but mighty to save and deliver us from all, every one of our problems. It wasn’t until I walked in the office and set down at my desk that I recognized what had even just happened and then I began to pray and thank God for saving me. Then I remembered what the man had told me not to do and what had happened to him but I had prayed and found no way out of giving him his tax forms if I was going to be honest and he had seen the standard of honesty at the business. He was there when wrongs by employees had been righted even though they cost the owners time and expense. “Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me. Psalms 59:1”.
” But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: Ephesians 2:4-6.”
We truly are with Christ seated in heavenly places where the operations of God are commanded and angels which excel in power and strength wing to earth to fulfill the will of God in watching over His children. What great commitment could He give than His life to encourage you to trust in Him. Paul says it this way: “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:32.”
See the next article on Power Over Vices and Temptations