Your badge, show him your badge!

Have you heard the story about the DEA Agent in Texas? He stopped by a farm and was intent on searching it. “I need to inspect your farm for the growing of illegal drugs.” The farmer replied, “Okay, but don’t go in that field over there...” 

The DEA officer verbally exploded, saying, “Mister, I have the authority of the Federal Government with me!” Reaching into his rear pants pocket, the arrogant officer removed his badge and shoved it in his face. “See this badge!? This badge means I am allowed to go wherever I wish... On any land! No questions asked or answers given! Have I made myself clear?... do you understand?!” The farmer nodded politely, apologized, and went about his chores. A short time later, he heard loud screams, looked up, and saw the DEA officer running for his life, being chased by the biggest, meanest bull on the farm. With every step, the bull was gaining ground on the officer, and it seemed likely that he’d sure enough to get gored before he reached safety. 

The officer was clearly terrified. The farmer threw down his tools, ran to the fence and yelled at the top of his lungs... “Your badge, show him your badge!!” Showing the badge may not stop the bull, but we have something that will sure enough stop Satan when he is on the chase! James 4:7 says,  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Submit means to yield to the power of another’s authority. Resist means to stand against something. Satan will chase us to the end of time if we allow him to. 

The farmer was telling the agent to stop running and show him by what authority he holds his ground. That is exactly what we are to do against Satan! David stood against Goliath in the name of the Lord. We are to take a stand against Satan in the name of the Lord! Imagine what would have happened if David had gone to battle believing in his own power and abilities, rather than in submission to God’s power and abilities. 

We go through life thinking things like “I’ve got this”, or “I can do this”. Rather, we should be saying, by the Power of God, I can do this! We are to submit to God, stand our ground and raise our sword to fight. Ephesians 6:17 says, “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” 

The Word of God is what Jesus used against Satan three times in the wilderness. It is the weapon that we have today to fight against Satan and the principalities of evil. Satan will chase you and put you on the run if you let him. Just stop and show him your badge!

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Rev. John Loudin