Stopping the Devil at Your Heart's Door
David Wilkerson's sermon emphasizes the importance of exercising authority over Satan to achieve true happiness and victory in Christ.
David Wilkerson addresses the tragedy of many Christians living in unhappiness despite outward appearances of joy. He highlights the emotional rollercoaster that believers often experience, marked by fear and depression, which can also affect their relationships, particularly marriages. Wilkerson urges Christians to recognize the influence of the devil in their lives, as many allow him to take control due to a lack of spiritual authority. He emphasizes that Jesus died for believers to live in victory, not to be captives of Satan. The call to action is to seek God wholeheartedly, which will lead to true and lasting joy.
Text
One of the great tragedies of the Church in this generation, and one of God's greatest griefs, is that so many Christians are not truly happy. They put on a good front -- singing, clapping, smiling and praising. But lurking just beneath the surface is loneliness and deep misery.
These Christians are hot, then suddenly cold. They cannot cope with fear, and depression runs over them like a steamroller. One week they are high, the next week low. Many times their marriages follow that pattern as well. One day all is well between a husband and wife, and the next day they are miserable. Some days they cannot even talk to one another. They explain, "Well, that's just the way marriage is supposed to be. You can't expect to stay happy and loving all the time."
Believers caught in this up-and-down cycle should heed the words of Paul to Timothy. He encouraged the young man to help others come to their senses and "escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will" (2 Timothy 2:26), or, as the King James Version puts it, "taken captive by him at his will." This describes many believers perfectly: Because they give him access, Satan moves in and out of their lives at his own will. They exercise no authority to stop the devil at their heart's door and he flaunts his hold of them. "You have no power of Christ in you to stop me," Satan says. "You are my captive and will do as I wish."
This lack of victory in Christ is appalling! Jesus did not die so that you continue to live under the power of Satan after you have given your heart to him. Be careful not get caught in this trap. Instead, set your heart on firmly walking with God and claiming his promises. Determine to seek him with all your might and he will fill your heart with true, lasting joy.
Sermon Outline
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I
- The tragedy of unhappiness in the Church
- The facade of joy among Christians
- The underlying loneliness and misery
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II
- The cycle of emotional highs and lows
- Impact on personal relationships
- Misconceptions about marriage happiness
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III
- Paul's encouragement to Timothy
- Understanding the devil's tactics
- The importance of exercising authority over Satan
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IV
- The significance of victory in Christ
- The danger of living under Satan's influence
- The call to seek God earnestly
Key Quotes
“This lack of victory in Christ is appalling!” — David Wilkerson
“You have no power of Christ in you to stop me.” — David Wilkerson
“Determine to seek him with all your might and he will fill your heart with true, lasting joy.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Reflect on your emotional state and identify any areas where you feel captive to negativity.
- Commit to daily seeking God through prayer and scripture to strengthen your spiritual authority.
- Engage in open communication with loved ones to break the cycle of emotional highs and lows.