The thief (Satan) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I (Jesus) am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10 KJV)
God is not the one who causes terrible things to happen in this world. Many confuse the Old Covenant Law (where Jesus had not yet come and the Holy Spirit had not yet been given), with the New Covenant of Grace (in which God has poured out His wrath upon Jesus on the cross, given us His Holy Spirit, and a better covenant with better promises). God does not kill anyone, especially children. He doesn't fly planes into buildings, and He doesn't devastate populations with famine, drought, hurricanes, or tornadoes. When we understand that God is loving and compassionate toward us because of what Jesus has done, we will run to Him instead of from Him, and stop blaming Him for the things Satan does.
We gave away our dominion, domination, rule, power, reign, authority, control...,or however you want to say it, of this world in the Garden of Eden (Gen.3). Ever since that time Satan has been in control of this world, and still will be until Jesus disposes of Him (Rev. 20:10 KJV). God didn't give him this authority...we did. God gave it to us, we gave it to Satan. Remember God looks upon the seed; in other words, when He looks upon a person He either sees the seed of Adam (corrupted, unholy, a child of Satan) or He sees the seed of Jesus (redeemed by putting faith in the grace extended to us through the precious blood of Christ).
God spent the time from the fall of man (Gen.3) till now, making and providing a way for us back into relationship with Himself. He has provided that way through His Son Jesus Christ. He (the Father), along with Jesus, and the Holy Spirit conspired (Acts 2:23) to achieve the greatest legal and military victory ever conceived...spoiling death, hell, and the grave.
"Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—" (Hebrews 2:14 NIV)
But it is only by choice that we become children of God. He will not force us. So either we accept Him and His Son Jesus as ruler of our lives and as our eternal God and Savior, or we choose to remain children of Satan and spend eternity separated from the love of God.
When the church teaches, as many do, that God - in His sovereignty - is in control of everything that happens, either bad or good, they are deceived and teaching a doctrine that Satan loves ("And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.. 2 Corinthians 11:14 NIV). But this teaching does many things that hurt God's children, two of which are; it makes them angry at God when bad things happen (which Satan is responsible for), and it keeps them feeling helpless and victimized, when in reality they have been given authority in Christ to rebuke the Devil in the name of Jesus, speaking the word of God with all boldness and authority commanding evil, sickness, poverty, depression, etc. to flee. (**see note below)
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7 NIV)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For 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 6:10-12 NIV)
Note **As believers in Christ we do have authority over the Devil, but do not fall into the trap of spending more time focusing on and speaking to the Devil than you do Jesus. This will open unwanted doors in the spiritual realm. A simple command proclaiming the truth of God's word over a bad situation or illness is sufficient, and as your faith muscles grow it will become easier to stand believing, because God will establish a track record of faithfulness to His Word in your life. Here is a simple example of one prayer to rebuke the Devil. Notice I speak way more to the Father than to the enemy:
"Father, I thank you that Jesus bore my sickness and disease upon His body on the cross, and by His stripes I am healed. I thank you Father for the authority you have given me, in Christ, to use His name, and "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth," (Philippians 2:10 NIV). Father I thank you that you have told me to speak to my mountains in faith and they would be removed - (Matthew 21:21 NIV). Now I turn to my physical body and I command sickness (or be more specific and call it by name; cancer, hernia, infection, etc.) to leave this body and never to return. I command this in the name of Jesus Christ. Now that I am cleansed of this fowl, unclean spirit, I command you body to be completely healed, restored and made whole as God intended. All damage be undone. I command every cell to be restored. Body I call you healed, healthy, restored, and made whole...in Jesus name, it is done!
"Father, thank you for loving me so much. Thank you that it is your will that I be in good health, and prosper, and that you would never put sickness upon me as punishment. You are a good Father. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. Bless you Father, Bless you Jesus, Bless you Holy Spirit...my God in whom I trust...Amen.
This is not a magic prayer, it is simply the way I speak to a loving Father who has charged me with the responsibility of interacting with Him through His Word and the Power of the Holy Spirit, in faith, as the way to obtain all the good things He has provided for me through Jesus perfect sacrifice on my behalf, and on yours. As these truths of God's goodness and His Word become revelation in your heart, use your own words and scriptures He has illuminated for you, in your conversations with the Lord.
Faith released, retrieves Grace already provided. God is good all the time :)
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. (3 John 1:2 KJV)
Be Blessed,
Will Brocker
