Dealing With Deception

Journey Into The Promised Land

Luke 10:1–20 (CSB)

SENDING OUT THE SEVENTY-TWO

10 After this, the Lord appointed seventy-two others, and he sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2 He told them, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest. 3 Now go; I’m sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Don’t carry a money-bag, traveling bag, or sandals; don’t greet anyone along the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ 6 If a person of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. 7 Remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they offer, for the worker is worthy of his wages. Don’t move from house to house. 8 When you enter any town, and they welcome you, eat the things set before you. 9 Heal the sick who are there, and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near you.’ 10 When you enter any town, and they don’t welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 11 ‘We are wiping off even the dust of your town that clings to our feet as a witness against you. Know this for certain: The kingdom of God has come near.’ 12 I tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town.

UNREPENTANT TOWNS

13 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. 15 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will go down to Hades. 16 Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”

THE RETURN OF THE SEVENTY-TWO

17 The seventy-two, returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

18 He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like lightning. 19 Look, I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy; nothing at all will harm you. 20 However, don’t rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Will You Use It?

We are wrestling, fighting, and struggling against Satan and the forces of darkness. We have no choice! We are in the arena of conflict and we must go into battle as Jesus did, knowing the strategies of Satan and recognizing our power and authority over him.

Satan wants to deceive you and keep you in a place of spiritual ignorance. One of the powerful strategies Jesus used to defeat Satan was that he faced the enemy from a position of knowing! Jesus never wavered. He never faltered. He never retreated. He knew the power of the enemy and He knew He had been given power over him. He faced the power of the enemy knowing the will of God, that He had been sent by God to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).

God has planned for you to face your trials, temptations, and circumstances — every attack of the enemy — from this same powerful position of knowing. Satan’s deceptive strategy is to keep you in a position of spiritual ignorance. He will do everything possible to stop you from knowing the truth about him; to stop you from knowing your position of power and authority as a child of God; to keep you from knowing God’s will for your life.

Jesus gave His twelve disciples power and authority over “all devils” (Luke 9:1). He appointed seventy disciples and gave them power over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19). The seventy returned rejoicing, saying, “Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name” (Luke 10:17). They were amazed that they had power over evil spirits.

Jesus told the seventy disciples: “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the over of the enemy…” (Luke 10:19). Satan was not in control. Jesus had been anointed by the Holy Spirit and was given power and authority over Satan. He came to destroy the works of the devil. He had all power over the enemy and gave it to His disciples.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus took authority over the enemy. He rebuked the power of Satan and cast out devils simply by speaking the Word. He spoke, and devils trembled and fled. The people did not understand how a man could have such power and authority. They accused Jesus of casting out devils by Beelzebub, the chief of devils.

Jesus has given you that same power and authority. The only question is, will you use it today?

Make this declaration:

I will use the power and authority God has given me over the enemy.

*Adapted from MCWE email – Journey Into The Promised Land by Morris Cerullo

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