The Battle

Man’s initial battle held profound significance, taking place in the Garden of Eden. The primary objective was to establish supremacy, with the key participants being Adam, Eve, and the devil. Originally, mankind enjoyed a considerable advantage, having been granted special privileges by God. When God created man, He bestowed upon him dominion and authority over all things (Genesis 1:26, 28). This elevation enraged Satan, prompting him to devise a plan to strip mankind of their privileged position. His strategy revolved around tempting mankind into disobeying God.

Satan succeeded in enticing Adam and Eve to partake of the forbidden tree of knowledge of good and evil, disregarding God’s explicit command. The consequences of this defeat were monumental, leading to the loss of man’s blissful state. Man became enslaved to Sin, Self, and Satan (Genesis 2:17, 3:1-6, John 8:34, Romans 6:16). Consequently, it became inherent for man to incline toward sin, and his thoughts became perpetually inclined toward evil (Genesis 6:5). He became governed by the “Self,” the natural inclination of humanity, characterized by the lust of the eyes, the desires of the flesh, and the pride of life (1 John 2:15-17).

The Loss

The gravity of this loss was so immense that every descendant of Adam inherited the sinful nature. This was exemplified by Cain’s tragic act of envy in killing his brother. Moreover, another consequence of the defeat was the forfeiture of the authority man had possessed at the beginning. However, the devil could never outsmart God, who had a solution in mind. If man’s sins could be atoned for, then man could be liberated from the consequences of sin and regain what was lost.

The Turnaround

In God’s wisdom, He sent Jesus Christ, who assumed human form, lived a sinless life, and endured the agony of crucifixion as a sacrifice for our sins. Jesus reclaimed the authority that man had lost to the devil. He declared that all authority had been given to Him in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). It was a battle Satan never anticipated. The crucial question now arises: how can you benefit from what Jesus accomplished for mankind? This same query was posed by a man named Nicodemus. Jesus, foreseeing His crucifixion, explained to Nicodemus that just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so would He be lifted up on the cross. He further elucidated that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have eternal life. Jesus unveiled this mystery to Nicodemus, making him comprehend that to see the kingdom of God, one must be born again.

His explanation troubled Nicodemus, as he mistakenly believed that one had to physically return to their mother’s womb to be reborn. However, Jesus clarified that it was a spiritual rebirth. In John 3:6, He stated, “‘That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.'” This concept is also expounded upon in John’s epistle in 1 John 5:1-4, where he describes the person born of God. Such an individual simply believes that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. They embrace in their heart the belief that God raised Him from the dead and confess Him as their Lord (Romans 10:9-10). This entails a pivotal decision to surrender the lordship of one’s life to Jesus Christ. This act of faith marks the moment when a person is born of God and becomes “born again,” equipping them with the inherent ability to overcome the world—Sin, Self, and Satan (1 John 5:4).

Reclaiming Your Authority

This marks the commencement of a lifelong journey with God. The believer must recognize that the promise of conquering the world is a potential that requires active engagement. Every time they resist sin, deny self-gratification, and stand against the devil, they achieve victory. The battle is a daily endeavor, and triumph can be attained on a daily basis. It is a summons for believers to work out their salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12), to crucify the “Self” as the Apostle Paul declared, “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31, Galatians 2:20). It is a call for believers to engage in the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12) and to confront the powers of darkness (Ephesians 6:10-18, James 4:7) through the ministry of the Word, prayer, and fasting.