You Can't Defeat This Opponent

​Acts 5:38-39  - "So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God."
NASU

• You Can't Defeat God

The apostles had been preaching the gospel in Jerusalem and many people believed that Jesus was the Christ or Messiah who had been promised long ago. The apostles were also healing many people which indicated to the common people they were sent by God.
 
Now the High Priest, the Sadducees and other very high ranking Israelites were jealous of the apostles and commanded them to stop preaching that Jesus was the Christ. (Acts 5:29 -
But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy.)
 
Peter informs them the apostles are not going to stop preaching because they have been given this directive from God.
 
Acts 5:27-30 - The high priest questioned them, 28 saying, "We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man's blood upon us." 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men.
 
Peter and the apostle's answer only infuriate this council and their intentions have moved from putting them in jail to killing them (vs.33). A Pharisee named Gamaliel happened to be at this meeting and with a voice of reason he persuades them against their plan of killing these innocent men when he makes the following statement to the council:
 
I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God ." 

• Fighting Against God 

The fight no one can win is the one where you find yourself fighting against God.
 
A few weeks back I did a Pump Up about Jonah and how he tried to run from God. That is how he thought he could beat God. His plan was I am going to out run God. We all know that plan will never succeed. Killing the apostles at this time will also not succeed.
 
One thing I have learned being a Christian doesn't exempt you from being killed by the evil one. But your death will not happen until God allows it to happen. God told satan he could do what he wanted to Job, but he was not allowed to terminate his life. The devil tried to have Jesus killed numerous times before His actual crucifixion but he never succeeded.
 
What about us?

I believe if God is using us to accomplish His will the evil one can't kill us until we have accomplished what God had called us to fulfill.
 
Will the devil try to kill you?
 
I am not sure it would be him personally trying to kill you but maybe one of his evil ones. I believe the devil's main targets are the presidents, kings, queens and judges of countries.

He wants to establish policies that are evil and against Biblical principles.
 
Will the devil win? The devil will not win his fight against God.
 
Matt. 25:41- "Then He will also say to those on His left, ' Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;…"
 
Rev. 20:10 - And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
 
These two scriptures inform us the devil and all his followers will end up defeated and thrown into the Lake of Fire.

It doesn't matter who you are you can not win a fight when your opponent is God. It is better to be on God's side than not to be.
 
Think About This:
 
There is a way to stay out of hell but no way to get out of hell.

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word