Audio Length: 39:07 Ministered @ Grace Community Church, Arroyo Hondo New Mexico

Everything on earth that grows, struggles in phases:

  • Plants and tree’s
  • Caterpillars struggle in becoming a butterfly
  • Growing pains of life

All these are the physical evidence of what is reality in our spiritual growth in Jesus Christ. If this life is a breeze because you think you’re a Christian, there is something seriously wrong.

If the devil is not standing in your way with something, than you are not doing anything for the Lord and satan doesn’t fear you. And if he doesn’t fear you, you are his child and not the Lord’s.

If satan is always contending for your soul, it’s because you are a child of God (a real born-again Christian) and he fears the power you have in Jesus Christ. satan feared the faithful, righteous and steadfast walk Job had in God.

That means, Job was totally and completely sold out to God with all his heart, mind, soul and body. This is really the reason why satan brought forth a serious accusation against Job,

Opening Scripture: Job 1:1;6-12 “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.” “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and satan came also among them.

And the Lord said unto satan, Whence comest thou? Then satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

And the Lord said unto satan, Hast thou considered My servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

Then satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not Thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

But put forth Thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse Thee to Thy face. And the Lord said unto satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.”

And what satan fears above all is, when born-again Christians today learn to live in that same faithful, righteous and steadfast walk in Jesus Christ. Because there is absolute power and victory there and he fears that power of God on this earth

James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

satan and his demons fear and tremble at the name of Jesus Christ because there is salvation, power, healing and deliverance in Jesus Christ and in that name! This is why satan tried to kill Jesus Christ as a baby (Matthew 2). he also tried to destroy His life in the wilderness both physically and spiritually

Matthew 4:5-7 Then the devil taketh Him up into the holy city, and setteth Him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto Him, If thou be the Son of God, cast Thyself down: for it is written, He shall give His angels charge concerning Thee: and in their hands they shall bear Thee up, lest at any time Thou dash Thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

satan will go to great lengths to try to get you to sin against God, while trying to destroy you physically in the process. BECAUSE satan IS AFRAID AND he FEARS AND TREMBLES AT THE POWER OF GOD! This is why he tried to stop Jesus Christ and will try to stop you also.

Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Strive: ‘Contend, fight, wrestle’

Ephesians 6:10-12 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

The will and plan of God for every Christian is to grow and mature in Jesus Christ, going from one measure of faith to a new measure of faith. And that comes at a price

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The acceptable will of God is the Path of Righteousness (Psalm 23)
The good will of God is the Highway of Holiness (Isaiah 35)
The perfect will of God is the Narrow Way (Matthew 7:13-14)