If you believe that the devil has ANY control over you, then you’ve bought into a lie. He has only the control that you allow him. Sadly, since we seem to be so deluded in a number of ways in a number of areas… that can grow into a significant amount of control. And, as you give him control over one aspect, this can pave the way into other and more areas of control. But… and thank heavens for the ‘but’ – this assumed control by the devil can be trumped. When you realize the state you are in, you can always turn to the Lord and seek His forgiveness which results in your cleansing (1John 1:9). You can accomplish what the prodigal son did when he returned – you can stand again and become who the Lord says you are.
Given that the devil does exist, he really has nothing and only comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10)… why give him even an inch? Yet we all seem to do this. But the ‘everyone does this’ excuse really is so lame – aren’t we able to withstand the temptations of the devil? Or are we so quisling that we think we have no control but to do as bidden. Rubbish. We are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37) – remember?! So why don’t we act this way? Why don’t we act as the conquerors we are? Probably because we really don’t believe in ourselves. We forget that we have been made a new creation (2Corinthians 5:17-22) when we accepted Jesus as Lord.
In a very real way, the reason we succumb to lies of the devil is that we aren’t completely confident in who we have been made and are becoming. Even when we can quote the verses that tell us who we are, what we can do, what we have to be, etc. we give the devil far more credit, control, and authority than he actually possesses. Point is, though, that You really are able to stand against him, especially when you realize you have help. Example: he can’t read your mind. The only way he knows he is successful is through your actions – if you acted on his suggestions.
If you feel you have been and are a succumb-er… then stop. You don’t have to complicate, continue, and compound the situation. You, as in YOU, are able, are empowered to not succumb to the lies. However, the operative word is YOU. This is an act that is only possible when you choose to stand on who you are and whose you are. Yes, there will be moments of falling for the lies – but once you become aware, you can take the appropriate action. You don’t need to succumb.
