Genesis 1:26 declares that God made man in His own image and He gave him dominion (rule) over the creatures that lived upon land, in the air and the sea. God also gave man permission to eat all seed-bearing herbs and fruits of seed-bearing trees for his nourishment. In Genesis 2:22, God made woman to be a companion for the man, and Adam and Eve were the first man and woman to be created by God. In Genesis chapter 3, Eve was tempted by the serpent (the devil) to eat of the forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and also Adam. This act has affected mankind’s history ever since. Adam gave up his dominion over the earth to Satan, entered into a state of sin and separation from God, and was cursed to die a mortal death. In effect, he gave up the paradise that God had created and intended for him and Eve.

God in His all-knowing way saw far into the future all of the repercussions that the foolish act of Adam and Eve would result in. Even then, at the dawn of mankind, He set into motion His plan of love, mercy, and reconciliation for mankind.

And I will put enmity (hostility) between you (the serpent) and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise your head and you shall bruise His heel (Genesis 3:15).

Now the woman’s seed (instead of the man’s seed) is used here because it refers to Jesus Christ, because He had the woman’s seed, which gave him His humanity. However, Jesus had no human father (man’s seed) but was conceived by the Holy Spirit of God, thus giving Jesus His divinity. God’s plan of redemption is revealed, even at this early time as it is written, the serpent will “bruise His heel” (the cross), but the woman’s seed (Jesus) will bruise (crush) the head of the serpent (gain final and total victory over Satan’s dominion with His death and resurrection).

We are supposed to be rulers in our world, but that rulership or dominion was given up to Satan when Adam disobeyed God’s command not to eat of the fruit of the tree. Because Adam got out of alignment with God’s purpose for him, the door was left open for Satan to step in and begin wreaking havoc on men’s lives. Satan controls this world and even Jesus acknowledged him as ruler of this world. Men at large have been at a disadvantage ever since because we are born into a state of sin, the devil’s playground. Within certain sovereign boundaries imposed upon him by God, Satan is in control on planet Earth and were it not for the presence of the Holy Spirit, which Jesus sent to be with us, our earth would be in much worse shape than it already is. Satan started out with power, as he is a powerful angel, but with Adam’s passing of dominion over to him, he also gained authority.

All hope is not lost, however, because the devil’s rule can be reversed in our lives. If one comes to Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin and the gift of eternal life which is freely given to all who come to Him for it, then our lives can be renewed for rulership under the power and authority of Jesus. Jesus’s death and resurrection has given all who receives Him power over the authority of Satan.

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is head over all rule and authority. (Colossians 2:8-10 NASB)

Jesus is the complete embodiment of God in human form. He is fully God and fully man in one person. He is the one and only perfect link between the holiness of God and the depravity of man. He has been given full authority over all rule and lesser authorities.

So if we have regained authority and power over Satan through Jesus’s shed blood on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, then why don’t our lives work without problems or troubles? This seems to happen to us as Christians as well as those who are not. It can be perplexing and unsettling. First, even though we have gained forgiveness of our sins through Jesus, we are still human and fully capable and often willing to sin. As we all know, this is a constant battle. Second, even though Christ has negated Satan’s authority, he is still very powerful, and by our choice we can hand authority over to him by our own choices (and actions). Satan cannot exercise authority over us unless we give him permission to do so. As Paul wrote in Colossians 2:8, “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception….”  God wants us to live a fulfilled life, full of power and His blessings, but we are often so good at messing that up. We like to call our own shots, make our own choices without bringing God’s wisdom and direction into the equation. Then when things go astray, we wonder why everything is so messed up. Satan’s goal is to use every plot, play and deception in his power to cause us to look away from our union with Jesus and operate under his misguidance. Whatever kingdom–God’s or Satan’s–you choose to reside in will decide under whose authority you are under. If things don’t change for the better it is because we haven’t addressed the cause, we haven’t addressed the root, because we’re still tasting the fruit.  The victory over Satan has already been signed, sealed and delivered for us by our Savior. We just need to activate it and claim it daily and put our purpose to live our lives after the model Jesus set before us with His life and ministry.

He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet and gave Him as head over all things to the church. (Ephesians 1:20-22)

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities–all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. (Colossians 1:13-19)

May we give thanks to our Lord daily for His love for us and all His wonderful gifts. Let us claim the victory that is ours in Jesus Christ our Lord as we live our daily lives.

Peace be with you.

Holding fast,

Mark

Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. (Colossians 1:10 NLT)

^{Photography by Unknown}