Dear Church,

Yesterday, we began a new sermon series titled Satan and His Schemes Exposed. This series is about exposing Satan’s schemes and magnifying the victory of Jesus Christ. The central truth we heard is this: Satan is real. Demons are real. But they are defeated. Jesus Christ has authority over every power of darkness.

At the cross, Jesus forgave our sins, canceled our debt, disarmed the rulers and authorities, and triumphed over them. Satan does not own the child of God. We belong to Jesus.

But we also saw that a defeated Satan does not mean an inactive Satan. He still works through deception, temptation, accusation, fear, shame, bitterness, and lies. And although he cannot own the believer, he looks for areas of influence in our lives that remain unrepentant and unsurrendered to Christ. These are strongholds that continue to define our lives.

A stronghold is often not something around us, but something within us that has been allowed to stand against the truth of God. It may be a lie we have believed for years, a sinful pattern we protect, bitterness we refuse to release, shame that defines our identity, fear that controls our decisions, or a wound we have kept hidden in darkness.

The enemy gains influence where lies are believed, sin is protected, bitterness is cherished, shame is embraced, and wounds remain hidden. But when the light of Christ enters, darkness must leave.

Jesus warned in Matthew 12 about a house that was swept, cleaned, and put in order, but empty. The issue was not simply what had gone out. The deeper question was: Who now rules the house?

That is the question for every one of us. It is possible to desire Jesus’ forgiveness while still resisting His lordship, still resisting repentance when the Holy Spirit ignites conviction. We may say, “Jesus, forgive me,” while also saying, “But this relationship is mine. This bitterness is mine. This secret habit is mine. This wound is mine. This decision is not open to your authority.”

But lasting freedom comes from a surrendered life. The house must not only be cleaned; it must be filled with the Word of God, the Spirit of God, the truth of God, and the lordship of Jesus Christ.

Church, the enemy looks for unsurrendered places. But Jesus is calling us into freedom. This week, I encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit honestly:

Is there any area of my life that remains unsurrendered to Christ?
Is there a lie I have believed for so long that it feels like part of my identity?
Is there bitterness, fear, shame, addiction, unforgiveness, or bondage that continues to hold its ground?
Is there a hidden room in my heart where I have not allowed Jesus to reign?

Do not run from that question. Bring it into the light. Jesus has given His people authority to resist the devil, stand against his lies, and demonstrate the victory of His kingdom. But James 4:7 gives us the order: Submit to God. Resist the devil. And he will flee.

Submission comes first. A surrendered life is a strong life. A surrendered house is a protected house. A surrendered church is a powerful church.

May we not be a people who merely speak correct words about the gospel? May we proclaim Christ in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, as Paul reminds us. May hurting people not only find a welcoming church with good teaching but also encounter the presence and power of the living Christ.

Let us pray together and believe that the One who has all authority in heaven and on earth is still able to break chains, tear down strongholds, and set His people free. For where Jesus reigns, darkness cannot remain.

Are you willing to join the team who go ‘all in’ for Christ? In fact, that’s the only way the scripture talks about.

Be Encouraged,

Mathews