Power for Living' Volume 10 Number 1

Power for Living: Volume 10 Number 1 

Dealing with the Dragons in Your Life:

Focus Text: Revelation 12:7-12 

 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

The Bible refers to the Devil as a dragon. The dragon is a powerful leader of angels who rebelled against God. It represents a spiritual darkness that threatens to bring chaos back to creation. 

 Satan the dragon was cast down to the earth, realizing that he has a short time before Christ returns. 

This dragon, is portrayed as a ferocious enemy, seeking to devour and destroy. 

While most of us will never encounter a literal dragon, we all face metaphorical ones: the challenges, temptations, and spiritual battles that threaten to overwhelm us. How can we deal with these dragons in our lives and emerge victorious?

1.  Recognize the Dragon

The first step in dealing with dragons is to recognize their true nature. Revelation 12:9 identifies the dragon as Satan, “the ancient serpent called the Devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world.” 

The enemy’s primary tactic is deception—making us doubt God’s goodness, our identity in Christ, or the power of God’s promises.

Dragons in our lives can take many forms:

a.  Temptations: Subtle or blatant lures to sin.

b.  Fear and anxiety: Voices that paralyze us and keep us from stepping into God’s purposes.

c. Opposition: Challenges from circumstances or people that seem insurmountable.

d.  Spiritual apathy: A gradual cooling of our passion for God.

Identifying these dragons is crucial because we cannot fight what we do not acknowledge.

2.  Equip Yourself for Battle

Ephesians 6:10-18 reminds us that we are engaged in a spiritual battle and need to put on the full armour of God. Each piece of armour helps us deal with the dragons we face:

a.  The belt of truth: Counter Satan’s lies with God’s unchanging truth.

b.  The breastplate of righteousness: Live in obedience and integrity, protecting your heart.

c.  The shield of faith: Trust in God’s promises to extinguish the fiery arrows of doubt and fear.

d.  The sword of the Spirit: Use God’s Word as your offensive weapon against the enemy.

e.  Through prayer, Scripture, and worship, we stay spiritually alert and strong, ready to confront the challenges before us.

3.  Remember the Victory

One of the most encouraging truths in Revelation is that the dragon’s defeat is already assured. Revelation 12:11 

Jesus’ victory on the cross has disarmed the powers of darkness. 

Colossians 2:15 says, “Having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”

We fight from a position of victory, not for victory. No matter how intimidating the dragons may seem, their power is limited and temporary.

5.  Persevere with Faith

Dealing with dragons requires perseverance. Revelation 12:17 describes how the dragon makes war against “all who keep God’s commandments and maintain their testimony for Jesus.”

 This tells us that spiritual battles are part of the Christian life. But take heart: perseverance builds character and hope (Romans 5:3-5).

Practical steps to persevere include:

a.  Daily reliance on God: Spend time in His presence, seeking strength and guidance.

b. Community support: Surround yourself with fellow believers who can pray with you and encourage you.

c.  Focus on Jesus: Hebrews 12:2 urges us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

Slaying Your Dragons:

You may be facing a dragon right now—a health crisis, a strained relationship, financial struggles, or spiritual doubt. Remember, you are not alone. God equips you for the battle, surrounds you with His presence, and guarantees your ultimate victory through Christ.

James 4:7 offers this encouragement: “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” 

Stand firm in God’s power, resist the lies of the dragon, and trust in the One who has already won the battle.

Take a moment today to identify the dragons in your life, equip yourself with God’s armor, and step forward in faith. With God on your side, you can face any dragon and triumph.

Prayers:

1.  Lord I thank you for the victory I have over the dragons through the Blood of Jesus Christ.

2.  I cover myself and my family with the Blood of Jesus and destroy every dragon in our lives in Jesus name.

Thanks so much for going through this article: Power for Living.

It is a weekly publication of Ultimate Power Gospel Assembly, Nigeria.

For Prayers and Counseling contact:

Bishop Julius O. Soyinka

juliussoyinka@outlook.com

+2348035822785