It is Time to Take Back What the Enemy Has Stolen

We live in a broken world. The enemy who comes to steal, kill, and destroy is causing chaos. 

What’s Going On?

This week, Johann Kikillus from Soteria Ministries shared some disturbing news with me: how “many towns and communities across the Western Cape” he recently visited that “were once mission stations” were “now crawling with drugs and violence.”

Towns and communities that were once God-fearing and God-honoring, where the Good News of Jesus had brought great transformation, are now left broken, with evil prevailing and putting many in bondage.

It is heartbreaking to see towns that were once a beacon of hope and that once shone brightly now under a vicious attack from the enemy, leaving many families torn apart and in despair. 

The Attack

The enemy is causing havoc, wrecking lives, and destroying communities, leaving many disillusioned and feeling hopeless, like there is no way out. 

This same picture is true in many parts of the world, where a tremendous onslaught of evil comes against hurting and broken people, leading to a great falling away and a moral decline. 

Violence and theft are rife. 

Drug addiction is wrecking homes. 

Sexual immorality and perversion are accepted as usual. 

Depression and anxiety are out of control. 

Many are bound in debt and battling to make ends meet. 

There’s also been a great falling away. 

Moral values, once a society’s bedrock, are being dismantled. 

Many are left feeling defeated, down, and living in dread. 

There is much darkness, gloom, and doom. 

Many are enslaved and living cursed lives. 

There is a Solution

But no matter how crazy life is and how far we have fallen, there is hope in Jesus. 

He is the solution to every problem. 

He is the light of the world who can shine into the darkness. 

He is the answer, the hope, and the one who can heal broken lives. 

He can bring breakthroughs and can transform and bring restoration. 

God hates seeing people hurt, harassed, and helpless.

He hates seeing people oppressed and bound. 

I have good news for you: No matter where you find yourself today, there is hope in Jesus. 

Jesus Has All Power and Authority

After all, Jesus came to “proclaim good news to the poor.” He came to “proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind.” He came to “set the oppressed free” and “proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19)

We are told that “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power” and that “Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” (Acts 10:38)

And Jesus has not changed; He is still the same today: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

He is a “friend of sinners.” (Matthew 11:13)

Jesus came to “seek and save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)

You might have lost your way. 

You may be addicted to drugs. 

Your family may be falling apart.

Your dreams may be shattered. 

Your love may be contaminated in sin. 

It may feel like the enemy has his claws dug into you. 

But it’s not over until God says it’s over. Jesus can turn the tide. He can deliver the oppressed. He can set you free.

Jesus says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

We were cut off from God with no hope because of sin, but “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

Paid in Full

Jesus paid the full price for you and me so that we can find forgiveness and be born again. Jesus shed His blood to break the grip of sin, destroy the works of the enemy, and break every curse so that the lost can find new life and that the captive can be released.

Today, surrender your life along with your burdens, heartaches, shortcomings, and sins to Jesus. He can set you free. 

Related: The LOVE of JESUS and the POWER of the CROSS – What Jesus did on that cross and what it means for us!

It is Time for the Sleeping Giant to Arise

When I look at how the enemy came to cause so much pain and destruction, I know it is time for God’s people to arise. 

It is time for the sleeping giant, the body of Christ, to arise, reach out to this world, and bring hope to the hurting.

It is time for you to be God’s hands and feet, to stand up to evil, to stand your ground, and fight the good fight.

We are in a war. It is time to step out and “lift Jesus up.” When we do, Jesus “will draw everyone” to himself. (John 12:32) 

Awaken from Your Slumber

“Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.” (Ephesians 5:10-16)

The Church, the body of Christ, has been sleeping. In these dark days, we need to rise and seize every opportunity. 

Related: Has the Church Lost its Fizz? – A message on the modern church.

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:7-8)

We need to stand up as ambassadors of Christ. 

Do You Realize How Powerful God is? 

“Christ lives in you.” He is the “hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27)

God’s word is clear, “Greater is he who is in you, that he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

God’s word declares that “If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

And, “despite” all the evil, “overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)

God’s word also says, “No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord.” (Isaiah 54:17)

It is time to get positioned as God’s children and reclaim what the enemy has stolen. 

Jesus’ heart is to see the lost saved and the broken healed. 

When Jesus walked the earth, we are told that he “traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.” And when Jesus saw broken people, “he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Jesus saw how many people are lost and hopeless. He said, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” (Matthew 9:35-38)

Are You Prepared to Step Up?

I want you to know that Jesus has “all authority in heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18)

Nothing is too difficult for Jesus. 

Jesus died on the cross and defeated every work of the enemy. He rose victorious, taking the keys to abundant life. He broke every stronghold that the powers of darkness can hold on to you. 

Jesus is real.

He is alive.

He fought the greatest battle ever fought for your soul, and he won.

He has promised never to leave us, not forsake us. 

The Name Above All Names

There is power in the name of Jesus. There is power in the blood of Jesus. 

God can deliver—nothing is too hard for Him. 

Because Jesus paid the total price on the cross, “God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)

Jesus’ name is above all names. At the mention of the name of Jesus, every knee must bow, including angels and demons. 

Related: There is Power in the Name of Jesus

Jesus “is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.” (1 Peter 3:22)

Jesus has all power and authority in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. 

“Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him, God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.” (Colossians 1:15-17)

Jesus is in control. He is the glue that holds everything together. 

“Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body.” (Colossians 1:18)

And through Jesus, “God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. This includes you, who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.” (Colossians 1:20-22)

Jesus has all power and authority.

He has authority over every sin, sickness, and bondage. He has authority over every force of darkness and the enemy. 

We are told that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12)

We are therefore commanded to “put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6:13-18)

Now, let me take a step back. I need you to see this…

If Jesus is Your Lord and Savior, then He is Your Head…

“Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body.” (Colossians 1:18)

If Jesus is Your Lord and Savior, You Are Part of His Body…

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27)

When Jesus died on the cross and rose again, God “seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.  And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” (Ephesians 1:20-23)

Where is the Enemy? He is Under Your Feet!

Jesus told his disciples, “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” (Luke 10:19)

We are told that God’s people “triumphed over” the enemy “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” (Revelation 12:11)

If Jesus is Your Lord and Savior, He is Your Head as You Are His body, and the Enemy is Under Your Feet! 

We are also told, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.” (Romans 16:20)

Psalm 91 confirms this, “You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.” “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (Psalms 91:13-16)

It is time to arise as a blood-bought child of God.

In our own strength, we can do little, but as part of God’s body, we are more than conquerors.

When Jesus walks in, darkness must flee. Jesus can set any captive free. 

Empowered By God

If Jesus is your Lord and Savior, you are His ambassador.

He has filled you with the Holy Spirit. Then greater is He that is in you than he who is in the word. He has empowered you to be His ambassador, and as part of His body, you are called to reach out to the lost and hurting. 

Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:12-14)

Related: The Holy Spirit and Pentecost: God Wants to Fill You! – Being empowered by the Holy Spirit!

God is calling you, as a blood-bought Child of God, to arise and take back what the enemy has stolen.

The Power of the Gospel

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is good news. It is wrapped in power. Don’t dilute it. 

The Word of God is powerful. It is “like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:29) 

Stand in it. Declare it. 

I Know How the Story Ends!

Jesus has already won the battle. 

Jesus saves, heals, delivers, and sets free. He is more powerful than anything you are facing and ever will face. Give Jesus your life. Bring your problems to him. He can fix anything that is broken, break any chain, and heal the broken-hearted. 

Jesus can make a way even when there seems to be no way out. He can meet your needs according to his riches and glory. 

The God who started the work in you can bring it to pass. 

Jesus told us, “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

If God is for you, it doesn’t matter who or what is against you. God will bring you through. He is with you in the storm. There is power in the blood of Jesus. There is power in the name of Jesus. 

Jesus is alive. He is the solution to every problem. He is the answer. He has all power and authority. Although “the enemy comes to kill, steal, and to destroy”, Jesus came to “bring you life and life more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Are you enslaved?

Are you imprisoned?

Are you held captive?

Are you broken?

Are you oppressed?

Are you bound by sin?

Then, humble yourself before God. Pray to God. Seek His face. Turn from your sin.

When you do, God’s Word says that He will hear your prayers, forgive your sins, and heal your land.

God’s word declared, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

God is Calling You to Take a Stand 

Will you respond?

God can bring breakthrough. 

God can deliver you. 

God can forgive you. 

He sets captives free. 

Surrender your life to Jesus. 

Give Him your burdens. 

Trust God.

Stay connected to Jesus. 

Cry out to God. 

Arise. 

Stand firm. 

Advance. 

Take back the territory that the enemy has stolen. 

I need you to know that “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

Today is the Day of New Beginnings…

“Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.” (Jude 1:24-25)