The bumper sticker on the road-worn Saab in front of me caused me to laugh out loud.
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons,
for you are crunchy, and good with ketchup.
The owner of that car has a great sense of humor. But the saying presents a profound truth: Don’t tangle with those who have the potential to devour you.
Scripture refers to the devil as a dragon (Revelation 12). Though weakened from his original state, he remains the powerful leader of those angels who rebelled against God. The “dragon” is real, and he is not to be meddled with.
As Paul served God in Ephesus, some local religious leaders envied his ability to perform miracles. So they tried to imitate him by casting out evil spirits. Luke the historian tells us: “They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, ‘I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!’ . . . The evil spirit replied, ‘I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?’” (Acts 19:13-15). For their troubles, the men received the thrashing of their lives (v.16). How presumptuous they were to think they could have power over demons without knowing Jesus! Even Michael, one of God’s most powerful angels, did not dare to argue with the devil. Instead, he simply said, “The Lord rebuke you” (Jude 1:9).
Yet it is equally wrong to fear the devil unnecessarily. In a passage that warns us about those who oppose the things of God, John gives us these comforting words: “You belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people [who serve Satan], because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world” (1 John 4:4).
The Lamb was slain for us (Revelation 5:6-10). We don’t need to slay dragons. Someone far more powerful has already defeated our foe.
More:
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you (Romans 16:20).
Next:
Do you make the mistake of not believing in the devil? Do you obsess over his power? What’s dangerous about either extreme?
raptureready on October 17, 2009 at 7:53 am
It has been my experience that we often forget the ways of the “dragon”. He will use any and all things to interfere with our walk with the Lord and our outreach. He hates us with a passion because he, like us, knows the end of the story.