CHAPTER FOUR
How to Overcome Satan by Faith
SPIRITUAL WARFARE.
The New Testament describes the Christian life as a spiritual warfare. The Apostle Paul emphasizes this face by admonishing us: "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:11-12). Scripture abound in references to such a spiritual conflict which is to be waged against an evil, cunning, wicked, powerful Adversary who rules over a vast, highly organized kingdom consisting of principalities, powers, rulers of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places, together with an innumerable host of demonic spirits.
The Bible predicts an increase in demonic activity at the close of the present age prior to the Second Advent (cf. I Timothy 4:1f.; II Timothy 3;1f.; II Thessalonians 2:1f.). Our age is characterized by an ever-increasing flood of Satanic wickedness ranging all the way from psychic afflictions to moral aberrations. This rapid expansion of the work of the kingdom of darkness, affecting and influencing the entire world, its governments, society, the Church, and the life of the believer, is clearly seen in the almost fantastic increase in crime, lust, deceit, moral depravity, suicide, war, homosexuality, fear, worry, anxiety, atheism, disease, psychic disorders, demonic possession, drug addiction, and alcoholism, together with the growth and intensification of spiritism, occultism, false cults and the doctrines of demons.
Inasmuch as these forces against which the believer and the Church must contend are spiritual, they can only be effectively withstood and overcome by spiritual armor and spiritual weapons. The importance of faith together with the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the manifestations of the gifts of the Spirit cannot be overemphasized therefore. For without faith and the empowering of the Spirit the Church is practically helpless and defenseless, being unable to cope with such a foe with its mere carnal weapons of theological education, medical science, psychiatry, psychology, human methods, techniques, and religious and social institutions or organizations. "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds) ." declared Paul in II Corinthians 10:3-4. Victory in spiritual warfare is achieved "Not by might, not by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6), and by faith: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith" (I Peter 5:8-9).
Personal resistance to Satan's oppression, temptation, affliction, and all his work, whether he assaults your mind or body, family, or church, is a spiritual warfare of faith. He can be effectively overcome and defeated by the use of the spiritual weapons and armor made available to the believer who is to use them in faith ("whom resist stedfast in the faith"). How is this to be accomplished? When the Enemy attacks, take the offensive against him by faith in the following manner.
The Christian has this authority by virtue of his relationship to Christ. In II Corinthians 5:14 we are said to have died with Christ (cf. Col. 3:3); in Ephesians 2:5 we were made alive with Christ; and in Ephesians 2:6 we are said to have been raised up with Him and ascended into the heavens with Him and made to sit together in heavenly places with Christ Jesus!
Where is Christ? The question is significant, for wherever Christ is we are also with Him with respect to our position of authority. Christ is enthroned at the right hand of God "Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion" Ephesians 1:21). Paul's prayer is that we might recognize this fact and appropriate this great power and authority, for the believer's position is exalted with Him far above all things. Read Ephesians 1:15-23. Note especially verse 19. See also Colossians 2: 13-15.
This means that Christ not only gained victory over Satan and his kingdom at Calvary, but that He rules sovereignly over him and that Satan has absolutely no power over Him whatsoever. Therefore, since the believer's position in Christ is the same, then he too has gained this victory and position of authority over Satan. We must then, first of all claim our authority by faith over the Enemy before we can effectively command him to obey.
We are authorized by virtue of our heavenly position to put up a bold resistance in the Name and authority of Jesus Christ against Satan and he must obey! (Mark 16:17; Luke 9:1). Cease wasting efforts contending for victory over Satan -- you should be waging a warfare from your position of victory which you already possess if you will claim it in faith!
Boldly confess the efficacious power of Jesus' blood, for the strength of our authority rests in this alone. Our work and testimony is effective only to the extent that we know and confess this. "And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony" (Revelation 12:11). Always fearlessly go against demonic oppression, for example, by boldly confessing the power of the blood of Jesus over Satan's work in the person affected. Satan always gives way before the faith of one who courageously pleads the power of Jesus' blood. Satan's temptations, oppression, and work can be effectively defeated, whether in your personal life, your home, the church, or in the lives of others, by this appeal to the blood of the Lamb, either by song, praise, testimony, confession, or in the exorcism of demons. We have actually heard evil spirits say they hate the blood and the word of faith. This is because they know that this has power over them.
Satan will not depart, nor desist in his destructive work by a polite request for him to go. The Scriptures teach that demons are to be cast out, not requested to leave. "And these signs shall follow then that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils" (Mark 16:17). Jesus and the apostles rebuked the evil spirits and commanded them to leave regardless of the nature of their oppression, whether a spirit of infirmity (Luke 4:38-39; Mark 9:25); an unclean spirit (Mark 1:23-27); temptation (Matthew 4:10); hindrance (Matthew 16:21-23); or interference (Acts 16:16-18).
Some Christians, ignorant of their authority over the Enemy have fearfully said, "I would be afraid to say anything to Satan. I would just rather ignore him!" This, of course, gives him complete liberty to work unmolested in such a life. You, as a believer, have the authority to set yourself and others free from his bondage, but Satan will only leave by a direct command of faith in Jesus' name. Satan and the demonic hosts know they have been defeated by Christ and that His followers have authority over them. Our victory comes when we come top know and believe this to the extent that we act on it (James 2:19; Luke 10: 17; Mark 16:17).
Jesus overcame Satan's temptations with Scripture saying: "It is written " (Matthew 4:1). Paul admonishes us "Above all, take the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked" (Ephesians 6:16). Notice that one is a defensive weapon (the shield of faith), and the other an offensive weapon (the sword of the Spirit, Hebrews 4:12). The two together can effectively meet and overcome the Enemy's assaults against us. If, for instance, you have claimed on the authority of God's Word healing for your body, then boldly confess by faith (the shield) the Scripture promises (the sword) on divine healing, e.g., Isaiah 53:4; Psalm 103:3; Mark 16:17-18; James 5:15, etc. Maintain by faith your confession of what God's Word promises and Satan will be compelled to remove his work of oppression in your body.
Remember we are in a spiritual warfare! Therefore, the
Scriptures admonish us to "resist (Satan) stedfast in the faith" (I
Peter 5:9). to "watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation"
(Matthew 26:41); to "resist the devil and he will flee from you"
(James 4:7); to "walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of
the flesh"
(Galatians 5:16); to "neither give place to the devil" (Ephesians
4:27); to "stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11); to
"put on the whole amour of God" so that we can "wrestle"
with the Enemy victoriously (Ephesians 6:11-18); and to overcome him by the word
of our testimony (Revelation 12:11). Satan's temptations and work are not to go
unchallenged and unopposed. We are commanded to resist him, to stand against
him, to give him no place, and to wrestle with him by prayer and faith. The
Devil was defeated at Calvary and has no rights whatsoever in your life, home,
or church to oppress, afflict, hinder and defeat. Tell him he is trespassing on
God's property, resist him, and demand that he depart. Resist him stedfast in
the faith and he will be unable to invade your domain or cause harm.
Absolutely, refuse entrance into your heart and mind anything of a negative, contrary, resentful, base or depressive nature. Guard your heart and mind for this is where the Enemy usually strikes. "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23). Refuse every thought that is critical, impure, offensive, unjust, evil, detrimental, or unkind. Refuse to entertain in our heart pride, hate, resentment, slander, doubt, unbelief, anxiety, indifference, wrath, envy, and self-pity.
Failure to guard the heart and mind against Satan's depressive, sinful, carnal or negative thoughts and suggestions is one of the major causes for oppression, sickness, disease, fear, discord, strife, dissension, mental illness, depression, despair, pessimism, frustration and failure in the lives of Christians. The battleground where much of the spiritual warfare is waged is the believer's own heart and mind. There is a real warfare going on continually between Christ and Satan for control of the mind. If Satan can gain ascendancy here, them he well knows that he can very largely determine the course of events in your life and limit or destroy your effectiveness in God's Kingdom. This is true "because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Romans 8:7). This is obvious; for the mind filled with carnal or negative thoughts of the nature mentioned cannot at the same time be subject to heavenly influences such as love, truth, purity, holiness, and peace. This is why the Scriptures admonish the Christian to "keep thy heart with all diligence," and to "be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2).
Many illnesses, for example, are psychosomatic and result
from harboring thoughts of hate, doubt, resentment,
self-pity, depression, and such like. Never allow Satan a moment's access to
your mind. If Christians would center their attention on Christ and seek to have
His mind created in them, a large part of their present difficulties and
problems would dissolve. Reckon the old man, both in mind and body, to be
crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20; 5:24; Romans 6:6), confess it by faith,
and walk in that faith. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is
stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee" (Isaiah 26:3). Read
Philippians 4:7-8.
We should remember one caution in conclusion -- do not confess Satan's power. This means that it is not necessary to rebuke Satan or plead the blood against him concerning every unwanted thought, temptation, or difficulty. Satan achieves a negative confession from us of his power and importance if we constantly rebuke him for everything unpleasant instead of dismissing the thought from the mind by an act of the will, overcoming the temptation by presenting our bodies as living sacrifices, or resolving the difficulty by faith. Do not keep the name of Satan on your lips and in your mind, but the name of Christ. Resist the Devil and he will flee from you. Command him only when necessary.