Keep the Devil Where He Belongs — Under Your Feet!

And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet
shortly…. — Romans 16:20

Are you tired of the devil blocking your way and causing all kinds of disruptions and problems in your life, such as problems in your relationships, financial woes, or health problems? How would you like to lift your foot high and then slam it down as hard as you can on top of the devil — pounding, hammering, trouncing, crushing, and smattering him to bits under your feet? Does that sound like something you wish you could do?

Believe it or not, the apostle Paul encourages you to do exactly that! In Romans 16:20 he writes, “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly….” The word “bruise” is taken from the Greek word suntribo, a word that significantly presents this notion of trampling the devil under your feet. The word was historically used to denote the act of smashing grapes into wine. However, it was also used to refer to the act of snapping, breaking, and crushing bones. In fact, it pictures bones that have been utterly crushed beyond recognition.

This word suntribo is used in Mark 5:4 where the Bible tells us about the demon-possessed man of the Gadarenes. It says, “Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces.…” The phrase “broken in pieces” is this same word suntribo. Although bound in chains and fetters, the demonized man was sufficiently energized by the demons to be able to crush those fetters to pieces.

The use of the word suntribo in this verse portrays a demon-possessed man releasing so much rage and violence that he was able to obliterate, smash, demolish, and reduce those fetters to nothing. When he was finished, the fetters fell to the ground in a heap, twisted and deformed — so broken that they would never be used to hold anyone captive again.

Now Paul uses this same word in Romans 16:20 when he says we are to “bruise” Satan under our feet. However, notice that Paul says we are to bruise him under our feet “shortly.” This word “shortly” is extremely important because it takes the whole picture to the next level. It tells us what attitude we must demonstrate the next time the devil tries to get in our way or block our path.

The word “shortly” comes from a military term that described the way Roman soldiers marched in formation. They were instructed by their commanders, “You are Roman soldiers! Lift your feet high, stomp loud, and let everyone know you are coming through town. The sound of the stomping and pounding of your feet is the signal to let everyone know they need to get out of your way. And if someone is foolish enough to stand in your way — even if someone falls down in front of you — don’t you dare stop to ask them to move! Just keep marching, stomping, and pounding, even if it means you have to walk right over them!”

So when Paul uses the word “shortly,” he is referring to the pounding, stomping, crushing steps of a Roman soldier. And remember, Roman soldiers wore shoes that were spiked with nails on the bottom (see March 15). When a challenger stood in front of them — or if a person fell in their path — these soldiers would simply ignore the obstacle and keep marching, stomping, and pounding along their way, leaving the challenger or unfortunate person completely obliterated and trampled beyond recognition — an ugly, bloody sight.

What does all this mean for you and me today? It means the next time the devil tries to get in your way or block your path, you shouldn’t stop to politely ask him to move. If the enemy is stupid enough to challenge you and tries to hinder your plans, God tells you what to do in this verse: “Just keep walking! If the devil tries to stop you, just raise your feet high, pound down as hard as you can, and stomp all over him as you march forward. Crush and bruise him beyond recognition!”

However, it is important to point out that this smashing and crushing of Satan must be done in cooperation with God. Alone you are no match for this archenemy. That’s the reason Paul says, “…The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet….” In other words, this is a joint partnership between you and God. By yourself, you could never keep Satan subdued. But with God as your Partner, the devil has no chance of ever slipping out from under your heel!

Romans 16:20 suggests this idea:

“The God of peace will smash and completely obliterate Satan under your feet! If Satan tries to get in your way or to block your path, then it’s time for you to act like a soldier — lift your feet high, stomp and pound down hard, crushing the enemy under your feet and leaving him in a heap, trampled beyond recognition, as you march on….”

The glorious truth is that Jesus already completely destroyed Satan’s power over you through His death and resurrection. The devil was utterly smashed, crushed, and bruised when Jesus was victoriously raised from the dead (see January 31, February 11, February 28). Your God-given mission now is to reinforce the victory already won and to demonstrate just how miserably defeated Satan already is!

The enemy may try to lord himself over you; he may attempt to exert his foul influence over your life. However, he is merely using empty threats and illusions to feed fear into your mind.

Never forget — the only place that rightfully belongs to the devil is the small space of ground right under your feet! Jesus accomplished a total, complete, and perfect work through the Cross of Calvary and His resurrection from the dead. That means your healing, your miracle, or your financial blessing already belongs to you! The victory is already yours!--Rick Renner

The Necessary Attitude for Success--by Rick Renner

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…. —
1 Corinthians 15:58

Today I want to talk to you about an attitude you must possess if you wish to achieve success in your life. If you study the lives of achievers and history-makers, you will find that all of them remarkably share certain attitudes that helped them reach success. However, the attitude I wish to speak to you about today is so essential that it should be considered non-negotiable, especially if you wish to do anything significant with your life.

This non-negotiable attitude is found in First Corinthians 15:58, where Paul urges us, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord….” The word “stedfast” in this verse is dealt with in the March 12 Sparkling Gem, but today I want you to consider the word “unmoveable.” This word refers to one of the most critically important attitudes for those who want to please God and do something noteworthy in their lives.

The word “immovable” is the Greek word ametakinetos, which has several meanings:

It means not easily excited, shaken, or affected.
It describes something that is not changeable or unpredictable.
It was also frequently used in connection with stone structures or to refer to people who are known to have a strong and unbending character.
Thus, this word portrays something that is solid, unbending, and not easily excited, shaken, or affected; a person, building, or place that is constant, stable, enduring, and dependable.
In other words, this is not a flighty, fickle, “here-today, gone-tomorrow,” “on-again, off-again” type of person; rather, this is someone who is constant, stable, and dependable. Because the word ametakinetos describes something immovable, it carries the idea of someone whose attitude can be described as:

Rock-solid
Fixed
Grounded
Established
Rooted
Anchored
Unvarying
Permanent
Stable
When you start a new project or step out in faith to do something new, there will always be obstacles that try to get in your way. If you aren’t determined to be tougher than the problems that arise, it won’t be long until you throw in the towel and give up. That’s why this word ametakinetos is so vital. It is an attitude that says, “I’m not moving until I see my dream come to pass!”

Anyone who wants to be great or to do great things must learn to be constant, stable, dependable, inflexible, unbending, and unyielding in the face of challenges. This is a common characteristic shared by all great achievers.

First Corinthians 15:58 could be translated:

“...Be constant, stable, enduring, and dependable — one who is always abounding in the work of the Lord....”

When you know God has called you to do something, you have to develop this kind of rock-solid, immovable attitude about that task or project because one thing is certain: Satan will attempt to sidetrack you. That’s what the enemy does to anyone whom God calls to do a job!

The devil will try to use people’s negative words, a lack of finances, adverse circumstances, discouragement, and a host of other tactics to move you off course from your intended goal. That’s why you have to make up your mind to be fixed, rooted, grounded, anchored, and unwavering in your commitment to accomplish the task God has set before you!

So don’t allow yourself to be inconsistent and wavering in your commitment to accomplish your God-given assignment. Remember — others around you are watching your example. In this world where a lackadaisical, “who cares?” attitude predominates, people need to see what true commitment looks like!

Be steadfast and immovable in the place where God has called you. Make the rock-solid decision that you will be a “permanent fixture” within your divine call until your task is completed with excellence, regardless of what it costs you! 

JOELS BAR

Sunday was an all around wonderful day at Northview Church. Salvation came through the doors and Outpouring was evident in both services. But there are times after the services, when the folks clear out of the building and the lingering presence of his glory remains. Many, many times I have witnessed the miracoulas happen after the service is over. Sunday night was one of those times. Several men were praying for each other in the fellowship hall after the business meeting was long gone. I was one of the men who hung around because I could sense that God was up to something. After all was said and done, I like other men, managed to pull myself up off the floor to gather my things and head on home.

I got home at 9:00PM and others got home well after 10:30PM. The reports of deliverance and freedom have been pouring in ever since. God so blessed these men, that many have reported total life changes this week.

This reminds me of something that I have learned over the years; don't ever understimate the room. You never know what God will do in a service or even after a church service. What seems like a bunch of staggering drunks to others, is one of the most beautiful things in the world to God. What appears to be foolishness to people is wisdom to God.

1 Cor. 1:27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. (NIV)

I am so glad to see these men belly up to Joels bar and have a drink of Holy Ghost power instead of taking a drink at the Cozy Lounge, Caddies Pub or the 4th street bar. I say, let these men drink in all of the Holy Ghost joy juice that they can! Men (and women) need to drink in the things of God. So just have another drink!--Pastor Randy Burton