[1 John Series 4] The Heavenly CourtroomSample

We have an accuser

If you have ever watched one in the movies or on TV, you know that no good courtroom drama is complete without a prosecutor. In the heavenly courtroom, not only do we have an advocate, we have an adversary, an accuser—Satan—and he is a real spiritual being.

The Bible describes how Satan accused Job before God, smearing Job’s motives for devotion. In his book, Zechariah reveals that Satan stood at the right side of Joshua, the high priest, to accuse him before God. The book of Revelation says that Satan accuses us before God day and night.

Some of us don’t like to talk about these things. Nevertheless, it is important to realize there is an accuser. But God is greater. When accusations fly against us before God, He refers the devil to our Advocate, Jesus, who crushed Satan’s head at the cross to save us, and who paid for our redemption with His own blood.

The accuser hates you deeply. He hates your family, your future, and your joy. He will try to keep on lying to you, saying: “You are not a good mom,” “You are a sorry dad,” “You are single because nobody wants you,” “If this is marriage, get out.” “God is not good. Look at all He withholds from you.”

In Revelation we read that the saints will overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, which elaborates upon how they were saved by Jesus. There is a praise song that says: “Let the devil know, ‘Not today.’” Maybe we could borrow those words as we are walking with God, taking steps of faith and obedience. When the accuser comes to try to stop us, we can let him know, “Not today. Today, I have an Advocate, I have faith inside my soul. I’m not good at everything. I don’t make a lot of great decisions. But Jesus Christ is in my heart, He shed His blood for me, and He has crushed you.”

Maybe your walk with God is a jagged line, but in Christ you are heading up and to the right. It is time you own that we have a strong Advocate before God. He paid the price for our redemption with His blood. He is our strength, and He lives inside our heart.