Defeat On Display

When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. (Colossians 2:15)

Who can forget that Sunday morning video of Saddam Hussein being examined by a doctor? The appearance of the former Iraqi leader seemed more like a homeless man than a powerful dictator. The capture of Hussein was seen as a military victory. But amazingly enough, some people were critical. They thought that the worldwide broadcast was too humiliating. They believed that Saddam Hussein should never have been subjected to this treatment. No matter what political side you come down on, I would agree with one thing. It was a humiliating moment. And for the United States Armed Forces, it was the humiliation of the enemy.
Have you ever been the target of the enemy during a spiritual battle? Our enemy, Satan, will use every means at his disposal, every weapon in his arsenal to discourage and demoralize us. He wants us to be ineffective in the battle. He is ruthless and uses people who are dear to us to wound us. He is merciless and will destroy us if he can. But the good news is that his power is limited.
Jesus said that we are blessed when men persecute us and revile us and insult us in His name. I take great comfort to know that even when I am severely tested under the withering fire of the enemy, God uses the heat of the battle to test us for His service. We are found useful to God when we are faithful in the fight. We have an enemy who is fighting a desperate war because he is defeated. Like the intermittent attacks of pockets of resistance in Iraq today, Satan is using much the same strategy. He seeks to discredit us for God’s service. But God has another idea.

I. HUMILIATING THE ENEMY IS PART OF WINNING THE WAR. At the cross, the enemy’s power was taken away. No more can sin enslave us. We are free of its power because of Christ’s payment on the cross.
II. PUBLIC DISPLAY OF THE ENEMY’S HELPLESSNESS IS DEMORALIZING TO HIM AND ENCOURAGING TO US. One day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. When Satan bows the knee, all the demons of hell will know their fate is sealed. That is encouraging to me.
III. A DISARMED ENEMY IS A DEFEATED ENEMY. Once an enemy is disarmed, his power to wage war is over. Sin’s defeat at the cross is the decisive victory in spiritual warfare. We are given the mind of Christ so every God-dishonoring thought may be taken captive. God is cleaning up the battlefield one skirmish at the time. Take heart and stay on the battlefield. The battle is the Lord’s!