The Devil in Your DNA
May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might for all endurance and patience, with joy! Colossians 1:11
Dear friends,
My Mama always told me hate is a bad word. One time she washed my mouth out with soap when I came home from school and told her I hated Billy Joe Pickering, because when I was walking home, he ran right up to me and kissed me on the cheek! She said “Gracie, the Lord would be forlorn to hear you use the word hate. He told us to love everyone including Billy Joe Pickering.”
But rest my Mama’s sweet soul, I can say with conviction and vigor I hate the devil. He works overtime to push the Church off course in order to dim their lights for Jesus. And the solemn truth is because of our ancestry with Brother Adam and Sister Eve, we’ve got the devil’s genes right down into our DNA.
Now some of you might take offense to that but it says so right in the Good Book. “No one is righteous, no not one.” (Romans 3:10) Sorry sister, that includes you. We’re all pathetic sinners. We all know what’s right, like not saying “I hate Billy Joe Pickering,” but we do it anyway. (Oh! Mama would be distraught to know I told Billy Joe the very next day I hated him and his brother too. Forgive me, Jesus.) Surely some of you experience Paul’s frustration and remorsefulness when you ignore caring for your temple. You commit to eating only God-grown foods, but in no time you’re ordering from that big drive-thru menu. You intend to walk a mile every day but when Friday comes your fancy phone registers 00.0. Oh mercy! I do hate the devil. He loves seeing you sluggish for the Lord. He reminds you how comfy your couch is, and convinces you you’re too tired, destroying your good intentions.
But I have some good news, Church. He who is in you is greater than that deceitful dog. Jesus showed us the power of scripture when He whacked away the tempter with God’s holy Word. Remember when He had spent forty days fasting and praying, and when He was at the peak of His hunger pangs Satan the scoundrel showed up? That’s just how he is. He kicks us when we’re down. He lies to us when we’re already having a personal pity party. Oh no, Satan! “Get behind me,” Jesus proclaimed. (Oh, maybe I’m misthinkin’. Now that I reconsider, I think that was ol’ Peter He told off.) With the Word of truth, He swatted him away.
Brother Paul also preaches the defensive nature of God’s Word when he refers to it as the sword of the Spirit. (Eph 6:17). This is a battle, Church! Your DNA pulls you toward pastries, so you have to crush that hankering by speaking truth. “He who is in me is greater than my draw to this donut. I will not be mastered by sugar!” Jab that contemptible rat with your double-edged sword.
Muse for a moment on Pastor Paul’s words to the church in Corinth: “Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand (and embrace!) the things freely given us by God.” (1 Corinthians 2:12) What is it we are freely given by God? Power to prevail! Brother Paul prays for the church in Colossae: “May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might for all endurance and patience, with joy!” Halleluiah Church! You have overcome the devil in your DNA by the power of your Father’s glorious might. It’s not about will-power but God-power. Give thanks to your Daddy! “Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,” chastises Paul, “fully pleasing to Him, bearing good fruit!” And one of the fruit of the spirit is self-control. (…just sayin’…)
Oh brothers and sisters, do you know - believe - depend upon - the power of God’s glorious might in defeating temptations of all kinds? Worry? Anxiousness? Financial fears? Relationship struggles? Are you living every day - approaching every hurdle - empowered by the Spirit of God? You cannot overcome. You can’t battle that devilish DNA by yourself. You know it because you’ve tried it, and it hasn’t worked out so well, now has it? But by the power of the resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ we can bash down Satan and his treacherous lies. (I just had a visual of bangin’ Satan with a big ol’ baseball bat. Oh mercy, that doesn’t feel seemly, now does it…?) Please pray with me right now:
Oh precious heavenly Father, I confess I regularly settle for defeat. I choose desires - the tauntings - of my flesh above power and strength and love of your Spirit. I get annoyed with others, even my brothers and sisters in Christ. I become fearful over temporal things of this world. I want to control my life - my schedule - MY will be done.
Jesus, You died that I might have an abundant, fulfilling life. You know I struggle with eating that which does not satisfy and sitting when my temple wants to walk. In the name of Jesus I rebuke the devil in my DNA. I claim my new life - my sanctification and transformation - and I step out in the Spirit, relying on Your power, Your strength, and Your grace.
I love You, Lord. Thank You for picking me up one more time.
Live Well,
Grace