Genesis 3:14-15 The righteous will always strike at the devil’s head in every battle

Genesis 3:14-15 

The Lord God said to the serpent,
“Because you have done this,
Cursed are you more than all cattle,
And more than every beast of the field;
On your belly you will go,
And dust you will eat
All the days of your life;
15 And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her seed;
He shall bruise you on the head,
And you shall bruise him on the heel.”

Background

God pronounces a scathing curse on the devil, relegating him to irredeemable condemnation and defeat under the feet of the righteous. Having full understanding of this truth, believers must no longer fear the devil, but rather revere God and walk in His truth. Today’s devotion teaches us of the victory that God has predestined for all our endeavours. The believer will always and certainly strike at the devil’s head in every confrontation. However, the believer’s prowess and effectiveness lies in the degree which the word has gotten hold of him.

Observation

Because you have done this,
Cursed are you more than all cattle.

God gives the serpent no opportunity to explain himself but pronounces on him a curse of ultimate death and defeat. Note that the serpent was once ruled by man collectively with the rest of the beasts of the field. “Because you have done this” refers to the serpent/Satan’s part for being the instigator for man’s disobedience. “On your belly you will go, and dust you will eat” refers to abject humiliation, irredeemable defeat and condemnation on the part of the devil (see Micah 7:17).

And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman…

God will restore the woman’s desire for God and raise up a generation of the righteous after her, her seed, who loves God. “Your seed…” refers to the followers of Satan, the wicked, who loves self. These two opposing communities will be forever at logger heads (see John 15:18-20). The enmity between the righteous, her seed and the wicked, your seed will be protracted until the return of Jesus as King.

He shall bruise you on the head,
And you shall bruise him on the heel.

The ensuing battles involve repeated attacks by both sides to injure the other. However, the curse on Satan has ceded a tactical advantage to the righteous who can strike at the head of the wicked, while the wicked being only able to strike at the heel of the righteous. Bruising the heel represents God’s existential control over the devil’s work among humanity. The righteous, in bruising his head, is able to consistently deliver a fatal blow by disrupting the devil’s operations and sending them to the pit of eternal hell.

Truth

God will curse those who attempt to harm the righteous or to lead them astray

God delivers a scathing curse on the devil for instigating man to rebel against God’s command that resulted in man’s eviction. Hence, it can be said that anyone who attempts to harm His children or to lead them astray will be subject to the same curse. Whenever an act of injustice is committed, the onus fundamentally lies on God to execute judgment for the guilty while vindicating the innocent. Having said that, man must absolve himself from the burden of vengeance which God alone possesses. True freedom belongs to those who do not harbour the notions of vengeance and bitterness. Nelson Mandela who serves 27 years in prison fighting for a noble course says, “As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.” The bible, through the example of Jesus Christ takes it further by admonishing His followers to forgive their adversaries and to help them in times of need. The apostle Paul says,

Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:19-21.

Nevertheless, many people are still reeling from the hurts inflicted by their loved ones. The majority of their age-old wounds appear strangely recent. They cannot let the matter rest lest they find no one to right the wrong. For them, in letting the perpetrator go free is inconceivable. As a result, many are visibly aged, worn out from incessant mental iterations and fantasies of vengeance and retributions. The obsession of seeing the demise of their adversaries occupies their every waking hour hindering them from moving on.

The psalmist admonishes the righteous not to fret because of those who seem to prosper despite their crimes. One only has to look to God who is the justifier and vindicator.

Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.
Cease from anger and forsake wrath;
Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing.
For evildoers will be cut off,
But those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land.
Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more;
And you will look carefully for his place and he will not be there.
But the humble will inherit the land
And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity. Psalms 37:7-11

The man and the woman receive for their act of folly their share of recompense. However, far from what they justly deserved; an irredeemable death, are given hope of victory (over the devil) and eventual restoration as heirs of the world. An undeserved mercy and so great a concession. An olive branch which sinners freely received, should also be extended to those who in harming another do not knowing what they are doing.

The more we revere God, the less we fear the devil.

Believers no longer need to fear the devil, but rather revere the One who is above all. The devil’s power is curbed (bruise him on the heel) which means he cannot inflict direct harm to man unless permitted by God. The story of Job attest to the fact that the devil requires expressed approval from God to try Job; Satan is given without exception clear boundaries for all his endeavours. Having said that, the devil albeit his enmity with God, is merely an instrument in God’s hand to do His bidding. And God will not allow the devil to try us in areas that we do not yet have the ability to overcome. However, we must never undermine the devil’s craftiness and stratagem, but be vigilant. The apostle Paul says,

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13.

Therefore, we as believers must never fear the devil, but revere God who is above all and be vigilant against the devil’s lair of deception. Many churchgoers constantly harbour fears of certain catastrophes that may suddenly take them unaware. Having full knowledge of God’s overriding control of the devil, we can be confident to take each day’s challenges in stride knowing that God is at hand to help us overcome. Put in a nutshell, the more we revere God, the less we fear the devil.

The righteous will always and most certainly strike at the devil’s head in every battle.

God, in pronouncing a curse on the devil, has relegated him to a position of relative impotence and inferiority. The devil does not have the tactical advantage which the righteous has in every battle and confrontation. As evident by the promise God has given to the Israelites if they obey His commands,

The Lord shall cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you; they will come out against you one way and will flee before you seven ways. Deuteronomy 28:7

A battle or confrontation with the powers of darkness at a more personal level comes in a form of a sickness (physical or psychological) that does not go away, a failing business or tumultuous relationships. Believers possess the upper hand in destroying the spirits that hinder progress and abundant living. However, many churchgoers, despite their christian heritage prove powerless against the attacks of the devil. They do battle against these forces with prayers and declarations but without avail. As a result, many have grown to accept such difficulties as permanent and immovable fixtures of life and opt for the route of tolerance instead of victory. What can believers do when faced with dire hindrances in their family, work place and the church?

a.  Believers must endeavour to read the word daily and to live in the truth. The truth as opposed to rote knowledge or mental assent pertains to a truth-filled life of meditating on the word and obeying His voice on a daily basis. Many churchgoers, suppose by their mere declaration of the promises will suffice. They rarely read the word or experience the inner workings of the Spirit. Their ineffectual prayers and constant struggles attest to their existential deprivation and bondage. Jesus spoke to the Jews,

So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?” John 8:31-33

The Jews suppose by virtue of the fact that they are born Abraham’s descendants will indubitably accord to them the promises of prosperity and freedom. Contrary to their belief, the Jewish community are without a country of their own, and many of them are in the thick of poverty and sickness. Likewise, many believers will say when you tell them of the freedom that comes from a truth-filled lifestyle, “We are children of God through Christ; how is it that you say, ‘You will become free?'” What does Jesus mean by “If you continue in My word…”? The word continue, (remain or abide in the original language) speaks of constantly harbouring in the mind the words as spoken by Jesus. Until and unless believers fill their minds constantly with the inspired words of the bible, there is no freedom from the harassments of the devil; constant sickness, mental distraught, and hitches that never seem to end. True freedom is experienced in continual peace and joy in the soul, health in the body and victory in all our endeavours.

b.  Believers must be sensitive to the workings of the Spirit both within themselves and in their circumstances.

The key to successfully striking the devil on his head (which is to destroy his works) lies in the believer’s ability to monitor at any time the progress of an ongoing battle. If a boxer executes a move, he must be able to tell if his punch is on target or if it has caused intended damage to his opponent. Many churchgoers are like boxers fighting blindfolded, executing various moves and strategies without clarity. Consequently, they sustain unnecessary losses because they cannot see into the spiritual realm. Having said that, if you let the devil strike your heel repeatedly, over time you will lose a leg. The apostle Paul teaches that all battles are decided in the spiritual realm (spiritual forces) and played out in the physical realm (flesh and blood),

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12.

Therefore, it is of paramount importance that believers first achieve clarity (in being alert) by praying in the Spirit (see Ephesians 6:18). When believers immerse themselves in God’s word, they become keenly aware of movements and tremors in the spirit. Elisha is reputed to possess knowledge even of things spoken by the king in his inner room. And being aware of an impending attack on him, Elisha gathers the heavenly troops (2 King 6:12-15). Ephesians 6:17 speaks of the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Note that the sword of the Spirit is the only part of the believer’s amour that is offensive; that which is able to strike down the enemy. Notice that the sword of the Spirit is presented here as synonymous with the word of God. Put in a nutshell, the believer’s ability to heal sicknesses, to destroy hindrances and to establish God’s kingdom on earth lies in the degree which the word has gotten hold of him.

Application

1. Do you harbour a resentment towards someone and secretly hope for his misfortune? Do you know that your attitude towards your adversaries will affect your state of blessedness? Successful and happy people have a common trait: they decide if a matter is worth pursuing or mulling over depending on its future worthiness, not the past. It is proven that forgiving and gracious people make better friends and partners in all aspects of life. They exude positive energy, they get accepted into networks quickly and progress faster in all their endeavours. Jesus says concerning the acceptability of one’s worship before God.

Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.” Mark 11:25-26.

2. Are you incessantly bombarded with waves of difficulties from all directions? Are you struggling with personal weaknesses or addictions that never go away? This signals a belief system and lifestyle that needs fixing. You can begin to look at your personal discipline of reading the word, your involvement in a church community through a discipleship programme. Jesus advocates discipleship as the foundation of abundant living without which there will be little progress.

Dear Lord, I thank you for being a just and righteous God who is always looking to vindicate the righteous. I forgive all who has done me wrong and I pray for their repentance and reconciliation with you. Forgive me for the hurts that I have brought to others. Create in me a hunger for your truth and to walk in it. Cause me to be wise and to be vigilant against the ways of the devil. Strengthen me and use me to destroy the works of the devil in my family, church and work place. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.