Have you ever avoided a certain person solely because you didn't like what that person had to say? Perhaps the
person used profane or filthy language that offended you. Or perhaps the person always made negative comments.
Some people who are not Christians dislike being around people who are because they don't like hearing them talk
about Jesus, God's love, the work of the church, or the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Just as each of us is uncomfortable around certain people because of what they talk about, so the devil is uncomfortable
around Christians who talk about things the devil hates. Three things the devil specifically hates to hear are:
1. The name of Jesus
2. The references to the shed blood of Jesus on the cross
3. The quoted Word of God
In our prayers against the devil, we are wise to emphasize the things that the devil doesn't want to hear!
The Power of the Name of Jesus Christ
On their way to the temple one day, Peter and John encountered a lame man who was asking for alms. This man
had been lame from birth, and daily he was carried to the beautiful gate to beg for money. Peter and John fixed
their eyes on the man, and Peter said to him, “Look at us.” When the man had given them his attention, Peter said,
“Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up
and walk” (Acts 3:6). The Scriptures tell us that Peter then took the man by his right hand and lifted him up,
and as he did, the lame man's feet and ankle bones received strength. Although he had never walked in his life,
he was able to stand, walk, and leap about, all the while praising God.
Peter and John were doing what Jesus had told them to do. Jesus had said to His disciples on the night before
His crucifixion, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until
now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:23–24).
The name of Jesus is not something that we simply tack onto our prayers, however. Jesus gave to His disciples,
including us, the “power of attorney” to use His name. When we pray “in the name of Jesus,” we are praying as if
Jesus Himself is praying. We are to pray what He would pray, asking for what He would request of our heavenly Father.
A prayer that is truly in the name of Jesus is totally in line with God's Word and God's will.
The name of Jesus embodies all of the power and majesty that are rightfully Jesus' alone. His name is higher
than any other name that can be named. His power is greater than that of any person or any demon. (See Phil. 2:9–11.)
The name of Jesus is a constant reminder to the devil that he is not as great or as powerful as Jesus. He does
not have the relationship with the Father that Jesus has, nor is he the one who is the rightful heir to all of
heaven. The devil doesn't want to be reminded of those truths.
What the Word Says
[I] do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers … that you may know what is hope of
His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness
of His power toward us who believe … far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name
that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under his feet, and
gave Him to be head over all things to the church (Eph. 1:16, 18–22)
What the Word Says to Me
What the Word Says
Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us,
who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. The girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These
men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many
days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come
out of her.” And he came out that very hour (Acts 16:16–18)
What the Word Says to Me
What the Word Says
Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of
Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that
every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:9–11)
What the Word Says to Me
• What new insights do you have into the use of the name of Jesus in overcoming the enemy?
The Power of the Shed Blood of Christ
When we pray, we enter into the throne room of God solely on the basis that Jesus Christ died for our sins so
that we might be restored to a right relationship with our heavenly Father. Throughout Scripture, we find evidence
of the shedding of blood as the means God provided for His children to be reconciled both to Himself and to one
another.
After Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, God shed the blood of animals and made coats of animal skins
for Adam and Eve to wear. These coats were a consistent reminder to them that God alone is the Giver, Author, and
Ruler of all life. (See Gen. 3:21.)
When the time came for the children of Israel to leave Egypt and go to the Land of Promise, God required them
to put the shed blood of lambs on the doorposts of their homes. When the death angel passed over the nation, it
did not touch the firstborn that lived in homes where the blood had been applied. Again, God was making a provision
for life through the shedding of blood. (See Ex. 12:12–13.)
In giving the Law, God required that animals be sacrificed. The shedding of blood was the means of reconciliation
between God and people. (See Lev. 14:12–13.)
The shed blood of Jesus on the cross was God's definitive act in providing forgiveness for all who would receive
it. Jesus' death was the one substantive and final sacrifice for atonement. By His shed blood, Jesus purchased
humankind's forgiveness from sin. Jesus said His death was for the “new covenant” and that His blood was “shed
for many for the remission of sins” (Matt. 26:28).
In dying for our sins, Jesus dealt a mortal blow to the devil. That was His victory moment over Satan. No longer
would Satan have access to Him to tempt Him. No longer would Satan have opportunity to keep Him from fulfilling
God's purposes. Satan became a defeated foe the moment Jesus died on the cross.
In the shed blood of Jesus, we have the means for forgiveness and eternal life. We also have protection against
our adversary, who ultimately is the agent of all that results in destruction and death. When we engage in spiritual
warfare against the devil, we are wise to pray, “By the authority of Jesus Christ and under the protection of His
shed blood, I pray against you, Satan.”
The blood of Jesus is a terrible reminder to Satan that he lost his battle with Jesus, and that he has no power
over anything that Jesus purchased with the price of His own blood.
What the Word Says
You were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct by tradition from
your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot (1 Peter 1:18–19)
What the Word Says to Me
What the Word Says
The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sins (1 John 1:7)
What the Word Says to Me
What the Word Says
You are worthy …
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth (Rev. 5:9–10)
What the Word Says to Me
• What new insights do you have into the power of the blood of Jesus Christ to defeat the devil?
The Power of the Quoted Word of God
The third thing that the devil cannot stand to hear is the quoted Word of God. When we quote Scripture to the
devil, we need to be very specific, just as Jesus was when He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness.
Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
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.’ ” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 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.’ ” Jesus said
to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ” Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly
high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things
I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” 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.’ ” Then the devil left him, and behold,
angels came and ministered to Him. (Matt. 4:3–11)
Each time the devil tempted Jesus, Jesus responded with the Word of God. He didn't rely on human opinion or
a quote from a so-called expert. Nor did Jesus command the devil to do anything other than to depart from Him.
Jesus quoted Scripture, and the power of the Scripture was sufficient in defeating Satan. If that method was good
enough for Jesus to use, it should be good enough for you and me.
Note, too, that Jesus used Scriptures that related directly to each of Satan's temptations. Jesus was very precise
in His use of the Scriptures. For a person to be that precise in the use of Scripture, he or she must know the
Bible. The person must be familiar with the truths of the Bible from cover to cover.
Think of your Bible as being filled with a full set of statements that operate as live ammunition. The verses
of the Bible are powerful weapons to use as you command the devil to depart from you. The Word of God indeed is
your “sword” against your adversary (Eph. 6:17).
In quoting the Scriptures to the enemy, find a passage of the Bible that is directly related to the problem
you are facing. Read that passage of Scripture aloud as part of your prayers, voicing your belief in God to act
for good on your behalf.
What the Word Says
The word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of
soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb. 4:12)
What the Word Says to Me
What the Word Says
Direct my steps by You word,
And let no iniquity have dominion over me (Ps. 119:133)
What the Word Says to Me
What the Word Says
“He who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully.
What is the chaff to the wheat?” says the LORD.
“Is not My word like a fire?” says the LORD,
“And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” (Jer. 23:28–29)
What the Word Says to Me
• What insight do you have into the power of God's Word in overcoming the enemy?
Speaking to the Devil with Purity of Heart
When you speak the name of Jesus to the devil, talk to the devil about the blood of Jesus, or quote the Word
of God to the devil, you must do so with a pure heart that is totally reliant on and submitted to the Lord Jesus
Christ. The name of Jesus is not a magic word. The blood of Jesus is not a secret formula. We must never use the
name of Jesus or make a reference to His blood in a cavalier or joking manner. Our battle with the enemy is deadly
serious. Our position in Christ is the most important aspect of our lives. As Peter said, “Be sober, be vigilant”
(1 Peter 5:8).
• How do you feel about the weapons that God has given you to use in prayer?
• In what ways are you being challenged in your spirit?
From Overcoming the Enemy: Discover God's Plan for Winning Spiritual
Battles by Charles Stanley. Copyright 1997 by Charles Stanley.
