Posted by 90 Days of Prayer Day Sixty-Eight
Colossians 2:15
“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
In Colossians 2:3 we find that Jesus is the greatest treasure there is, in fact, all genuine wisdom and knowledge in creation is found in Him. Now we find we must safe guard this truth. As Believers we’re faced with all types of opposition and struggles, when we live in Christ, and make Him known to the world around us.
Fight the Good Fight – You’ve Already Won
Paul is saying that the enemy of our soul, who spearheads the opposition to all that is Christlike, has been disarmed, humiliated and defeated! Christ is king and the only Lord of life – the world’s redeemer.
Paul never tires of pointing to Jesus the Messiah as the king, the Lord of life, the anointed One, and He’s all we need. Any wisdom, knowledge, or philosophy, not originating from, or conforming to Him, is false, and dangerous.
Deceptive and worthless philosophies are in abundance today, as they were in Paul’s day. He warns the Colossians about false teaching and empty philosophies. He reminds them that Christ is the origin of all wisdom and knowledge, and the focal point of all scriptural doctrine. So, the good fight continues down through the ages.
The Great Disarmament
Now we come to the turning point in human history- The Crucifixion and The Resurrection. This was the ultimate battle, and Paul is telling us it’s over and the enemy has been defeated. Not only has the devil been defeated, he and his entire kingdom of darkness have been disarmed!
The devil’s defeat and disarmament took place before he knew what hit him. He thought he was winning, when in reality he had already lost. Paul writes; “None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:8). What the devil thought was his victory was actually his undoing!
When the Romans crucified Jesus, they posted a sign over his head that read “King of the Jews.” Like every humiliating crucifixion in the first century, it was designed to put the fear of Roman authority into the people. People saw this as another victory for Rome over those who dared to challenge their authority.
Paul says, God was actually humiliating the authorities, by hanging them up for all to see! While the devil and Rome celebrated the death of Christ, Heaven was celebrating His victory over all evil principalities and powers, both natural and supernatural!
Breaking News: The Great Deceiver Deceived Himself
The powers of darkness celebrated what they thought was a victory lap over Jesus, were unknowingly participating in their own funeral procession! They were stripped of all authority and power. After His death and resurrection Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18).
The only power darkness has now is the power of persuasion. They have to lie and deceive to accomplish anything. They cannot just come in and overtake you – they need your permission. Remember, They’ve been disarmed, don’t allow them a foothold in your life (Ephesians 4:27).
You have overcome the devil by the blood Christ shed at the cross, and by your own testimony of what God has done and is still doing in your life! So, feel free to tell the story, your life is hidden in Christ. The devil is beneath your feet, take a daily victory lap, and Be Encouraged! -JSP
(1) Featured Image From http://blog.biblia.com/2016/03/colossians-2-15/