The Upper Hand

~~~ Galatians 3:7-14 ~~~ Psalm 111 ~~~ Luke 11:15-26 ~~~

Whoever is not with me is against me,
and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

There have been movies released where Satan
 is fleshed out and brought to life.
One I viewed recently displayed the power of evil.
We may not ever experience visible signs of evil but
when we see them in a movie it is alarming.

All powerful, God is the only one who can stand against evil.
In today's Gospel we see Jesus standing up
to Beelzebul, driving out the evil spirit.

If evil was always visible before our eyes would
 we be more motivated to resist...to denounce it?
Evil even pretends to be something other than what it truly is...
How often we are fooled.

What is your initial response when you detect evil in your life?
Do you turn away? Do you fight against it?
Do you give into your own weakness?
Do you seek God to rid your soul of the evil presence?

It is Jesus who can destroy Satan.
It does not matter what name we may give this evil power.

The closer we follow Jesus...the closer we walk with Jesus...
the less likely it will be that the evil spirit will take control of our soul.
Jesus will forever have the 'upper hand' against evil.

But it could also make us a prime target...the coveted prize.
If the devil can win over one of God's
faithful imagine how that would please him. 

We must always keep up our guard against the attacks of Satan.
Some have been so impressed with the power of the devil
 that they even accuse Jesus of somehow tapping
into same power source.

No matter how superior evil appears to be...
no matter how widespread evil is...no matter how near
evil is to you personally...We have the most important
 being on our side...Jesus.

As long as we are here the evil spirit will roam about
searching for any opportunity to attack...to take
control over one more soul.

I pray it will never settle into your soul.
We are Blessed with protection from
the one who is most powerful, who can/does cast away the evil spirit.

May you walk in the light of truth and grace...
Love God with your whole heart, body, and soul.
Keep that ever in the front of your mind.
May your heart be filled with the Peace of the Lord.