The dragon

I had a pair of geese when I was a teenager. The gander I named Donald. He was an excellent father and would never leave the mothers side. I built them a little pond where they loved raising their babies. He was a very fascinating goose. Over time I discovered if you pet his head he would become aggressive. One day when my uncle Bob was over for a visit, I asked him to pet the goose’s head. So Bob did. Needless to say the goose started attacking my uncle unexpectedly. Of course I did what a good Christian would do. I stepped out of the pen and latched the gate so Bob couldn’t get out. I recognize it wasn’t the nicest thing to do to my uncle but it was sure funny in the moment.

Interestingly, I learned how to handle the goose. He never bothered me once he knew he didn’t have more power than I did. Do you sometimes let others and the devil have more power in your life than they are supposed to? Do you find constant attacks to be draining? Do you recognize the dragon behind the attacks?

Revelation 12:7-12 (MSG) “War broke out in Heaven. Michael and his Angels fought the Dragon. The Dragon and his Angels fought back, but were no match for Michael. They were cleared out of Heaven, not a sign of them left. The great Dragon—ancient Serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, the one who led the whole earth astray—thrown out, and all his Angels thrown out with him, thrown down to earth. Then I heard a strong voice out of Heaven saying, Salvation and power are established! Kingdom of our God, authority of his Messiah! The Accuser of our brothers and sisters thrown out, who accused them day and night before God. They defeated him through the blood of the Lamb and the bold word of their witness. They weren’t in love with themselves; they were willing to die for Christ. So rejoice, O Heavens, and all who live there, but doom to earth and sea, For the Devil’s come down on you with both feet; he’s had a great fall; He’s wild and raging with anger; he hasn’t much time and he knows it.”
           
The devil has been defeated. It is promised he will never take over God’s kingdom. Even though we know this, we often forget the power we have and the power the devil does not have. The devil wanders the earth like a beast looking for his next feast. We can’t allow him to have power in our lives. We can force him to flee. He is not stronger than Christ in us.
           
Sometimes we run across people who are manipulators and they don’t even realize the demonic work which is going through them. We do not have to tolerate that. You do not have to tolerate that. You are not going to tolerate that.  James 4:7-10 (MSG) “So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.”

​You can beat the dragon, but this is only done through Christ. Pursue your God ordained purpose and the devil will be forced to leave you alone. This doesn’t mean the dragon isn’t going to attack. It means you have everything you need to win the battle. Luke 10:18-20 (MSG)  “Jesus said, “I know. I saw Satan fall, a bolt of lightning out of the sky. See what I’ve given you? Safe passage as you walk on snakes and scorpions, and protection from every assault of the Enemy. No one can put a hand on you. All the same, the great triumph is not in your authority over evil, but in God’s authority over you and presence with you. Not what you do for God but what God does for you—that’s the agenda for rejoicing.””

Part of resisting is doing the right thing. You have the God given Power to trample the dragon. You have dominion over the devil. Keep stomping, keep stomping.