AUGUST 11, 2015
Debits and Credits
In
this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. — John 16:33
Read:
John
16:1-11
When my husband was
teaching an accounting class at a local college, I took one of the tests just
for fun to see how well I could do. The results were not good. I answered every
question wrong. The reason for my failure was that I started with a faulty
understanding of a basic banking concept. I reversed debits and credits.
We sometimes get our debits and
credits confused in the spiritual realm as well. When we blame Satan for
everything that goes wrong—whether it’s bad weather, a jammed printer, or
financial trouble—we’re actually giving him credit that he doesn’t deserve. We
are ascribing to him the power to determine the quality of our lives, which he
does not have. Satan is limited in time and space. He has to ask God’s
permission before he can touch us (Job 1:12; Luke 22:31).
However, as the father of lies and
prince of this world (John 8:44; 16:11), Satan can cause confusion. Jesus
warned of a time when people would be so confused that they wouldn’t know right
from wrong (16:2). But He added this assurance: “The prince of this world now
stands condemned” (v. 11 niv).
Problems will disrupt our lives,
but they cannot defeat us. Jesus has already overcome the world. To Him goes
all the credit.
Thank You, Father, for
being Lord over everything in our lives. We praise You for overcoming the world
through Your Son.
While Satan accuses and confuses, God controls.
INSIGHT:
Today’s passage is part of the Upper Room
Discourse (John 13–17)—the conversation Jesus had with His disciples the last
time He was with them before His death. At several points Jesus tells His
disciples that they will be misunderstood and hated by “the world.” He also
tells them that although He is leaving them, it is for their benefit because
when He leaves He will send the Holy Spirit (v. 7). We are not alone or
abandoned in this world. Jesus has given us the gift of His Spirit to be our
helper. J.R. Hudberg
Source: Our Daily Bread 2015
