Pride says, “I can do it.” Humility says, “I can do all things through [Christ], who strengthens me.”

Dan: The battle appears to be in the mind. Neil: That’s precisely where the battle rages. Now if Satan can get you to think you are the only one in the battle, you will get down on either yourself or God when you sin.

We have the authority to do God’s will. We don’t have the authority to do our will. If we exceed God’s authority, we are operating in the flesh and will be defeated.

Satan’s first and foremost strategy is deception. Paul warned, “Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness” (2 Corinthians 11:14-15).

There is no need for the Christian to defeat the devil. Christ has already accomplished that. We just need to believe it.

In exercising our authority, humility is placing confidence in Christ, the source of our authority, instead of in ourselves.

do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one” (John 17:15). How? “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth”

When you deny yourself, you invite God to take the throne of your life, and occupy what is rightfully His so that you may be an instrument in His hand—one who accomplishes His objective and builds His kingdom.

Dependence. The authority we’re talking about is not an independent authority. We have the authority to do God’s will—nothing more, and nothing less.