Double Jeopardy

 

Did you know that the name Satan draws from the Hebrew word for “accuser” or “prosecutor”?  One of his best weapons against you and me is to try and prosecute us for crimes that we have already been acquitted of.  Can you imagine going through an excruciating legal battle, found innocent, and then allowing yourself to be put in jail?  That’s ridiculous!  But isn’t that what we do sometimes when we listen to an accusing voice telling us “A good Christian wouldn’t do that”, or “You’ve messed up too badly, God can’t use somebody like you”?

 

Romans 8:1 - There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

 

Things to think about:

·       Double jeopardy is a legal principle that prohibits a person from being prosecuted or punished multiple times for the same criminal offense.

o   In Satan’s dark domain, that’s the law of the land!

·       Ephesians 6:12 - For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

o   This prosecutor is no slouch! 

o   Revelation12:10b – (speaking about Satan) “…who accuses them day and night before our God.”

·       Zechariah 3:1 - Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.

o   He has been at this game for a long time

o   Zechariah 3:2 - The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”

·       1 John 4:1 - Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

o   The antidote to false accusations is the Truth

o   1 John 4:4 - You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

·       2 Thessalonians 3:3 - But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.

·       Revelation 12:10 - Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.

o   Romans 8:34 - Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

When that malevolent voice is whispering in your ear that you’re not good enough, you’ve gone too far this time, God can’t use you, what’s the point of even trying, and the ocean of other lies he has, remember

·       Romans 8:1 - There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.