As a believer you have been given authority in this earth over the works of God’s hands and over all the power of the enemy.
- Recognize that satan is the source of your opposition and stand your ground.
If you want to live in victory and walk in the authority God has already given you as a believer, then you must recognize that satan is the source of your opposition and stand your ground.
He is the enemy of your soul.
The Bible says we have an enemy, an adversary, who is the devil.
People are not your enemy, your Ex is not your enemy, your boss is not your enemy, your parents, your family are not your enemy. You only have one enemy and that is the devil.
1 Peter 5:8-9 AMPC
Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. Withstand him, be firm in faith…
NKJV – Resist him, steadfast in the faith…
The Temptation in the wilderness
Jesus resisted the devil and his temptations in the wilderness. He stood his ground against him.
Matthew 4:1-7 NKJV
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
A temptation is a solicitation to do evil.
Being tempted does not mean you have sinned.
4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
Jesus was tempted but notice how he responded by saying, “It is written” and quoted, Deuteronomy 8:3.
That is how you resist the devil by standing your ground against him and quoting the Word of God.
But you need to know the Word of God in order to do so.
And learn to say “No” to his temptations.
The more you stop doing something the less power it will have over you.
5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:
‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’
and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”
Notice, how the devil is quoting the scripture from Psalm 91, but out of context.
7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”
Jesus is quoting Deuteronomy 6:16
Jesus is quoting scripture but the devil comes again. Don’t be moved by his temptations and attack when he rises again. Just remind that he has been rebuked and he is fleeing.
Just say, “I’m not moved by your attack and lies. You have already fled. You are fleeing right now.”
Submit to God. Take authority over him, resist him, and he will flee.
But submit to God first.
James 4:7 NKJV
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
If you are walking in pride and thinking of yourself more highly than you should, that’s a massive door open to the enemy because he is the spirit of pride.
Not walking in love opens the door for the devil to attack.
Not forgiving quickly is an open door to the enemy.
2 Corinthians 2:10-11 AMPC
If you forgive anyone anything, I too forgive that one; and what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sakes in the presence [and with the approval] of Christ (the Messiah),
11 To keep Satan from getting the advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his wiles and intentions.
God is not asking you to feel better about the person you are forgiving. Just do it out of obedience to God’s Word and your feelings will come in line.
Matthew 4:8-11 NKJV
8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
Jesus didn’t ask God the Father to get rid of devil and speak to him. Jesus spoke directly to him.
Stop asking God to do something about the devil, about that sickness and pain, about that depression and financial lack. Take authority over it, speak to it yourself, and it will leave.
Jesus spoke to fig trees, He spoke to fever, He spoke to storms, He spoke back to the devil.
David spoke back to Goliath.
Now, don’t go around looking for the devil and talking about him all the time, but when he does show up, kick him out and keep moving forward.
11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
The devil will leave and angels are assisting you and bearing you up in their hands.
So, recognize that satan is the source of your opposition and stand your ground.
- Know that satan is a defeated foe.
He is your enemy but he is a defeated enemy. He is not a lion. He walks around like a lion roaring.
He has been disarmed. He has been defeated. He has been dethroned. Jesus embarrassed him in front of all his cohorts, and in front of heaven, earth and hell.
Colossians 2:15 NKJV
And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Colossians 2:15 AMPC
[God] disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in it [the cross].
We are the triumphant church. We are the victorious church. We are the overcoming church. We are not the defeated church.
1 Corinthians 2:8 says “…had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory.”
If satan and his demons knew that by Jesus going to the cross would actually defeat them, they would not have crucified Jesus, which tells us that the devil is not all knowing.
The only thing he knows is what comes out of your big mouth
If you shut up and stop telling everyone how useless you are, and how poor you are, and how sick you are, and what a terrible person you are, and how nobody loves you, then he will not know what’s going on.
If you meditate on the Word and get the revelation of who you are in Christ in you, and you begin to say boldly and confidently, “I am more than a conqueror, I am blessed, I am forgiven, I am loved, I am strong, I am prosperous, I am victorious, then he will shut his big mouth.”
So don’t be afraid of him and don’t be afraid of anything else.
The devil is afraid of you and the potential damage you will do to his kingdom.
We are called by God to undo all his works wherever we go. We have The Blessing in us and on us. The Blessing has the power to override the curse wherever we go.
That is why God never sent you to that place, to be poor like them, but so that they can be blessed like you.
He sent you to that company not to struggle like them, but that they can win and be victorious like you.
Philippians 1:28 AMPC
And do not [for a moment] be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries, for such [constancy and fearlessness] will be a clear sign (proof and seal) to them of [their impending] destruction, but [a sure token and evidence] of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God.
Satan cannot do anything to you apart from fear, just like God cannot do anything for you apart from faith.
So, recognize and always be aware that the devil is a defeated foe. When you speak to him, speak down, because he is under your feet.
He is always walking around, making people believe that he is all powerful. No, he is a defeated foe and he is under your feet, under your authority.
- Recognize your God-Given authority over satan.
When resisting the enemy, always be aware of your God given authority over him.
You must resist him, not God. You must take authority over him, not God. God gave you the authority to do something about the devil.
Luke 10:19 NKJV
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Things will come against you, but it will not hurt you. Weapons will be formed against you but it will not prosper.
After Jesus defeated the enemy in hell, He rose from the dead and said in
Matthew 28:18-19 NKJV
“…All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go therefore…..”
Jesus took back the authority that satan had and handed it over to us.
If Jesus gave you the authority, then He does not have it and He can’t do anything about it.
K.E. Hagin – Jesus said to him, “If you didn’t do something about that, I could not have done anything about it.”
Mark 16:17 NKJV
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils…
The devil is terrified of that name, the name of Jesus. He is totally terrified when a believer who knows who they are, uses that Name.
So begin to use the name of Jesus in prayer and wherever you walk, drive and work. Exercise your authority and take dominion in that place and situation.
We are not here to take sides, we are here to take over.
Smith Wigglesworth mentions a story of a lady who told her small little dog to go back into the apartment. He didn’t until she said, “Get” and he ran. He said, “that’s how you have to do the devil.”