When the Devil says no...but God says yes!

Every Christian knows we are pitched in a spiritual battle.  Our flesh, Satan, and the world under his sway resist and rage against obedience to Jesus Christ and the Word of God.  It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit and faith in Christ that we can overcome.  Though our awareness or sensitivity to this battle against satanic wickedness and obedience to God might at times be muted, other times we become acutely aware of how much the devil hates God and all those who trust in Him.

Jesus was condemned and crucified an innocent man, though He had only always done what had pleased the Father.  After He rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, the Holy Spirit was sent to fill and come upon Christ's faithful followers to instruct and empower them to live for God's glory.  Men who once cowered behind closed doors for fear of reprisal from the religious leaders boldly preached Christ crucified and risen.  On one occasion Peter and John were arrested because they preached publicly after performing a notable miracle in the name of Jesus.  The religious leaders severely threatened them if they decided to ever preach in the name of Jesus Christ again.  In their presence Peter and John said, "Whether it be right in the sight of God to obey you rather than God, you judge.  We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."

Later Peter, John, and other believers gathered for prayer.  This portion of their prayer is written in Acts 4:29-31:  "Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, ³⁰ by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus." ³¹ And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness."  God doesn't just rattle the gates of hell:  He crushes them to powder so the captives might be set free.  Instead of making concessions to the enemy of their souls, through God Satan was cast under their feet as they boldly proclaimed the Word of God.

A day will come for every Christian when the devil says "No!" because you are close to encroaching upon his territory.  We can choose to be afraid of Satan and run and hide.  We can be like the Israelites when confronted with the giant Goliath, who cowered in fear in the false hope he would just be quiet and go away.  Or we can respond with the boldness of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah because His perfect love casts out all fear.  It is in this moment that God is testing us:  will we respect the "No!" of the prince of this world or obey the "Yes!" of the Almighty God, Creator of All?  Let us make a stand in obedience for righteousness.  Jesus says in Luke 12:4-5:  "And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. ⁵ But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!"