The Apostle Paul cautioned us about Satan’s deceitful ways when He said, “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Corinthians 2:11). However, that is not the case today. In fact, it is just the opposite. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” would be a much more accurate description of our condition (Hosea 4:6).
Ignorance of Satan’s devices has resulted in large-scale spiritual blindness among God’s people. In Ephesians 6:11-12, the Apostle Paul described the spiritual warfare that we face. He specifically stated that our struggle is not with people, but rather with the spiritual forces of wickedness. These wicked spirits are actually Satan’s ministers, disguised as messengers of light in order to deceive God’s people. These Satanic forces are classified in the Holy Bible as “the powers of darkness.” The phrase, “powers of darkness,” is a reference to demons or evil spirits. Both Paul and Christ referred to such wicked forces as demons.
So, what hope do you have against such demonic forces? If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you are protected by a much greater power. “Greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). This means that the indwelling Christ is far greater than the powers of darkness.
Tragically, many Christians are unaware of this. Therefore, they are constantly engaging in futile attempts to overcome Satan. Christians have been known to try wearing crosses, clinging to the Holy Bible, chanting the name of Jesus, quoting Scriptures, fasting, and many other things to ward off evil spirits. Ironically, Satan has already been overcome. Christ defeated Satan on the cross! Your union with Christ makes you an overcomer. You have overcome the world! “For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4). Overcoming Satan is simply walking in the victory that is already yours in Christ.
So, how can Christians counteract the demonic forces they face? The Bible refers to resisting the devil, rebuking him, and binding him. The Apostle James instructed us to “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). Our Lord Himself firmly rebuked Satan when He said “Get thee behind me, Satan”. He also spoke about binding Satan on at least two occasions. In Matthew 12:29 and Mark 3:27, Jesus referred to the necessity of binding the “strong man.” The “strong man” Christ was referring to, according to the context, was Satan. But we must always remember that Jesus Christ is the strongest man!
Christ made it clear that it is possible for Satan to be bound from a person’s life. Following His resurrection, Jesus Christ said this about those who would believe, “In my name shall they cast out devils” (Mark 16:17). However, this is only possible as we act in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Even the archangel Michael, “when contending with the devil . . . said, The Lord rebuke thee” (Jude 9). In Matthew 16:19 Christ explained that believers have the authority to bind Satan. “Whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.” To bind Satan means to curtail his activities, by dispelling any demonic influences from that person’s life.
You may wonder how these demonic forces can be bound. They can be bound because of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it [the cross]” (Colossians 2:15). Jesus Christ defeated Satan through His triumphant death, burial, and resurrection! Thus, He proved Himself to be the strongest man in Heaven and Earth. Since Satan is a defeated foe, Christ said that we could now bind him by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, as an overcomer, the weapons of your warfare should not be fleshly but spiritual, in order to effectively destroy the works of the devil. This means that you must recognize your human inadequacies, and yield yourself to the Lord Jesus Christ for the victory. Then acknowledge that you are now strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10). Finally, after having done all, just stand. The victory is assured!
A word of caution is in order; you must exercise this spiritual authority on behalf of God’s kingdom wisely. This requires that you deal with the demonic only under the leadership of the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, if the Lord leads you to bind these demonic forces, you must do so in the power and authority of the Holy Spirit. He is the Victor, and only He can evict the enemy.
Such provisions for dealing with the demonic should compel us to thank God for giving us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57). Because you have the Victor, you have the victory!
For further information on this subject read my article on Generational Curses.
Copyright©1998 Dr. Lewis Gregory
May 15th, 2015 at 9:05 am
I just copied off this article, for both my daughter (granddaughter that is) raised as my daughter from birth. Also, for my niece who is trying to help her niece with similar problems, except I think her niece is on drugs. Mine is not, but her mom died from toxicity (RX) and perhaps conceived with drugs, or alcohol… we never knew my granddaughters father or who he was. She has problems we wonder if inherited. Thanks for your book which is on the way and for these articles I have copied off and giving to two people. God Bless you in all your work. In Christ, Raynie (Lorayne)