(The Spiritual Combat by Lorenzo Scupoli) Mesa, AZ: Scriptoria. Copyright- Scriptoria Books, 2009.
But let no one suppose it possible to form true Christian virtues, and to serve God as he ought, unless he is ready in good earnest to do violence to his own inclinations, and to endure the pain of giving up all the things which pleased him, both great and small, and to which he had clung with earthly affection.
p. 21
(31 Days of Power: Learning to Live in Spiritual Victory by Ruth Myers with Warren Myers) Sisters, OR: Multnomah. Copyright - Ruth Myers, 2003.
In this continuing war against Satan, enable me to fulfill the purposes You have for me, both small and great-through prayer.
p. 21
I'm so grateful that You, my all-powerful God, are in supreme control and that You protect me as I put my faith in Your Son's triumph over all the forces of evil. Thank You that I can count on You to give continuing and overwhelming victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
p. 28
I rejoice that the helmet of salvation protects my thinking and helps assure that You are delivering me from sin and from the snares and attacks of Satan. I realize this doesn't guarantee a trouble-free life, but I thank You that it does guarantee a joyful and purposeful life, no matter what Satan has in mind.
p. 85
We rest on Thee, our Shield and our Defender!
We go not forth alone against the foe;
Strong in Thy strength, safe in Thy keeping tender,
We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.
Behind all spiritual warfare is the intense conflict of Gethsemane and Calvary. There our Lord Jesus was in direct combat with Satan. There He confronted this evil usurper, who fought desperately to keep us in his system of darkness and condemnation-to keep us part of the rebellious system that was under God's wrath.
Satan had long before gained control of the world, bringing darkness, guilt, condemnation, and fear of death. But then God entered the scene, "you might say in disguise," as C.S. Lewis expressed it in Mere Christianity; He "landed on this enemy-occupied world in human form." God's own Son slipped right into Satan's territory.
p. 109
The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure:
One little word shall fell him.
In battling Satan and his demons, it's not easy to maintain a scriptural balance and avoid excesses. Satan is delighted if we ignore him and let him do his evil work unhindered. But if we get serious about his defeat, he tempts us to exaggerate his power and become absorbed with him and his helpers, giving them the limelight they delight in. Or he gets us sidetracked into speculations and unscriptural practices.
It's not easy to maintain an awareness of Satan and demons without letting them become a major emphasis of our life and ministry. We all need prayer for proper balance in this.
p. 129
