The Prince of Darkness, the world of fallenness, and the false self make up a sinister trio. Scriptures warn us against all three. Satan and his fallen horde have a significant place in the Larger Story, and authority and power that ought not be ignored.
[Satan] said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”
Luke 4:6–8
Notice that Jesus doesn’t tell Satan, “You have no authority.” Rather, he says, “Worship and serve God only.” Later, he warns the disciples to be careful, have courage, and watch out, because evil is going to raise its head and appear to make a mess of things. Rather than tell them how the story ends, Jesus holds back and lets it play out. He knows his friends will have a much clearer understanding of what they are up against if they experience it for themselves.
“I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming,” he tells them. But then in the same breath, he reassures them, “He has no hold over me” (John 14:30)
Evil had no hold on Jesus—and that is what he wants for us as well. (Chapter 11)
An excerpt from The Heart of a Warrior Journal Workbook..
