No rank-and-file member of the military engages in warfare on his own initiative. Specific military orders must
come from those who have the authority to wage war. Even the president of the United States, the commander in chief
of the military, cannot declare outright war without an act of Congress.
In the body of Christ, we are under the authority of our spiritual commander in chief, Jesus Christ our Lord.
He is the One who authorizes us to engage in warfare against the devil.
This is an important concept to understand. We do have the authority to fight the devil. That authority
has been given to each of us by Jesus. At the same time, if Jesus had not given us authority to wage war with our
adversary, we would have no basis on which to fight him and no chance of overcoming him.
Our battle orders against Satan come from Jesus and from Him alone. He is our commander in the battle. He is
the One who fights on our behalf and wins the victory.
Matthew 12 records Jesus' response to the Pharisees when they accused Him of casting out demons by the power
of Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons. Jesus' statement conveys an important message to us today as we battle our
adversary:
Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself
will not stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? And if
I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. But if
I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can one enter a strong
man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. He
who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. (vv. 25–30)
In other words, Jesus told the Pharisees:
• If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself.
• Every kingdom divided against itself will not stand.
• If a person is not with Me in battling demonic power, He is against Me.
Although Jesus was addressing the Pharisees, what He said is significant to us. If we are not 100 percent with
Jesus in battling our adversary—if we are relying on any other source of power apart from that of the Holy Spirit
of God—then we are actually against Jesus and our efforts at defeating Satan will fail.
We cannot defeat the devil with our intellect.
We cannot defeat the devil with our clever reasoning.
We cannot defeat the devil with our hatred of him.
We can defeat the devil only by relying totally and completely on Jesus Christ to work in us and through us
and on our behalf. There is no successful warfare against the devil apart from Him. He authorizes our war against
the devil, even as He empowers us to win it and gives us the courage to engage in it.
• What new insight do you have into your authority to engage in spiritual warfare?
Assurance of Victory
When we engage in warfare at Christ's command and under His authority, we are assured of victory. When it feels
as if we're losing the battle, there are two key points to keep in mind:
1. The loss of a battle is not the loss of the war. In some cases, you may feel as if you have lost a
round in your fight against the devil. You may experience what you perceive to be a setback. When Jesus sent out
His disciples to preach the gospel and heal the sick, He said that if the people in a city did not receive them,
they were to wipe the dust of that place from their feet, give a warning to the people, and move on. Jesus anticipated
that His disciples might not be successful 100 percent of the time.
Nevertheless, Jesus expected His disciples to continue to move forward, doing the maximum amount of good and
preaching and praying with the greatest amount of effectiveness possible in any given town, village, or rural area.
He expects the same of us. He does not call us to be successful, but rather, faithful. We are to do what He calls
us to do; the consequences and results are His responsibility.
2. The final victory will be revealed fully in eternity. You do not know the full impact that you have
on the lives of others. Some of what you accomplish for Christ on earth will be revealed to you only in eternity.
And when it comes to eternity, the devil has absolutely no hold on you once you have accepted Christ as your Savior
and Lord. Nothing that the devil can do to you will change your eternal destiny.
When Jesus sent out seventy of His disciples, two by two, He gave them specific instructions to preach the gospel
and heal the sick, which included anything that might keep a person from being whole. The disciples returned to
Jesus with great joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name” (Luke 10:17). Jesus responded,
I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions,
and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Luke 10:18–19)
Throughout the Scriptures, serpents and scorpions are other terms for demons. Jesus told His disciples
then, and He tells us today, that His followers have authority over the devil, and the devil can do nothing to
cause eternal harm to those who call on the authority of Christ. We may get scared and feel pain from time to time,
but we will not experience any eternal damage.
• What new insights do you have into your ability to engage successfully in spiritual warfare?
• In what ways are you feeling challenged in your spirit?
What Does Jesus Authorize Us to Do?
The question then naturally arises: What does Jesus authorize us to do in battling our adversary?
First, Jesus expects us to enter Satan's domain with boldness, but only after we have “bound the strong man,”
which is the demonic entity that has a hold on a person.
When confronting the Pharisees about the source of His own spiritual authority and power, Jesus referred to
the power it takes to enter a strong man's house (Matt. 12:29). Jesus laid claim to having all the power necessary
to walk into the devil's domain, pick up those whom the devil had maimed or oppressed, and bring them out of the
devil's prison so they might be completely delivered and made whole. He could do this because He was able first
to bind the devil.
If we are to enter the devil's domain, we also must first bind the strong man who holds power over a person.
That person, of course, may be our own self. How do we do this? By keeping God's commandments, speaking God's words,
and doing God's works.
The verses below relate to the importance of keeping God's statutes, and doing and saying what God tells us
to do and say. As you read them, ask yourself, “How does my doing what these verses say to do bind the devil
and render him ineffective?”
Keep in mind, also, that there are all types of bondage. Some people are bound today by habits that they can't
seem to break. Some are bound in prejudices that others have taught them from their birth. Still others are bound
in poverty or ignorance. Some are bound in relationships with people who are committed to evil.
The Word of God and the love of God's people putting that Word into action are sufficient for breaking all
types of bondage. There isn't a form of bondage that cannot be broken by the Lord, if we will only say and do what
the Lord requires of us.
What the Word Says
Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven
(Luke 6:37)
What the Word Says to Me
What the Word Says
Just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.… Love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping
for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be the sons of the Most High (Luke 6:31, 35)
What the Word Says to Me
What the Word Says
If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained (John
20:23)
What the Word Says to Me
What the Word Says
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and
of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you (Matt. 28:19–20)
What the Word Says to Me
What the Word Says
Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love (1 Cor. 16:13–14)
What the Word Says to Me
Jesus also said this, “Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will
be loosed in heaven” (Matt. 18:18).
We bind the forces of evil by praying against them and resisting them. As we discussed in a previous lesson,
we resist by submitting ourselves completely to God and standing firm in our faith. If we are walking in close
friendship with Christ Jesus, we render the forces of evil ineffective. We have them bottled up, tied up, locked
up. They have no toehold against us. They are “bound” in their efforts to tempt us or harm our eternal spirits.
We loose the force of God's saving love and grace on the earth by giving our witness for Christ Jesus, both
in word and in deed, by loving others, and by forgiving those who have sinned against us.
• Can you recall an experience in which you were involved in the binding of the devil's attempts to bring
eternal harm to a person?
Second, we are to limit the access that Satan has to our lives.
In addressing the Pharisees, Jesus spoke of entering a strong man's house. This concept of “entering” is not
limited to our moving into the devil's domain. The broader principle that Jesus taught includes this truth: we
must not allow the devil entrance into our own house where he might cause us harm.
You, as a believer in Christ, have authority over what you will allow to enter your life. You have the power
to control your thoughts. You have the power to determine what you will put into your body and how you will relate
to people. You have the power to develop your own faith and to instill good spiritual disciplines into your life.
You have the power to choose or change your habits, perspectives, and attitudes.
• Can you recall a negative experience in your life that likely resulted because you did not guard the entrance
to your life?
Third, Jesus is present in the binding process of our adversary. Indeed, He is the One who does the binding.
Jesus said to Peter and His disciples:
On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you
the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose
on earth will be loosed in heaven. (Matt. 16:18–19)
The rock to which Jesus referred was Peter's great statement of faith about Jesus: “You are the Christ, the
Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16). That is the central truth to our faith. The church that truly believes that
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, is a church against which the “gates of Hades” cannot win. In the
time of Jesus, the gates of a city were the place of government and authority. All key decisions regarding a city
were made by those who sat in the city gates. Jesus was saying that the power of the devil, the demonic authorities
of hell itself, cannot win against a Christ-focused church. The church, of course, is comprised of all who have
accepted Jesus as their Savior and are following Him as their Lord. We are a part of the greater church and this
message of Christ is for us—hell cannot win against us.
Jesus said that He gives the “keys of the kingdom of heaven” to those who are in His church. When you hold the
keys to a place, you determine who goes into it. You control the access. Again, the devil cannot enter into an
area of your life unless you give him access to that area.
Finally, Jesus assures us that what we do to bind the devil's power on earth is accomplished and sealed definitely
and eternally in heaven. And anything Jesus does has eternal consequences!
• In what ways are you being challenged in your spirit?
You Aren't Expected to Fight a War by Yourself
Jesus taught that there is great power in agreement. An individual is not to engage in spiritual warfare on
his or her own. None of us are called to be an army of one. We are to live and work and give witness and engage
in warfare against our enemy as the body of Christ.
Jesus said;
If two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.
For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them. (Matt. 18:19–20)
Some spiritual battles you face may be intensely personal. Nevertheless, I encourage you to find at least one
other person who can be a prayer partner with you as you resist the devil and pray for God's will to be accomplished
in your life or the life of someone you love. You are likely to find that you are able to engage in your battle
with greater courage and bring the battle to a successful end much more quickly if you ask for the prayers of others.
God does not intend for us to live our spiritual lives in isolation.
What the Word Says
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed (James 5:16)
What the Word Says to Me
What the Word Says
Brethren, pray for us (1 Thess. 5:25)
What the Word Says to Me
What the Word Says
Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by
stretching out Your hand to heal, and that the signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant
Jesus (Acts 4:29–30)
What the Word Says to Me
• How do you feel when you are in a spiritual battle by yourself? How do you feel when you are in warfare
with others by your side?
Our Spiritual Armor
Paul described to the church at Ephesus our warfare against the devil:
Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to
stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly
places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having
done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with
which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the
sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being
watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. (Eph. 6:10–18)
I want you to notice four key things about this passage of Scripture:
First, our warfare is spiritual. We must never become confused and think that our warfare is against
a particular person or group of people. The evil that exists in our world today has its origins in the spiritual
realm, and we are to go directly to the source of the evil and do our fighting there.
Second, the armor that we put on is Christ. Every piece of armor that Paul described is directly related
to Jesus. We are to put on the truth of Jesus, the righteousness of Jesus, the gospel of peace embodied in Jesus,
faith in Jesus as God's Son, and the salvation that Jesus purchased for us. We are to pick up the Word of God—upon
which Jesus based all His words—as if it is our sword.
Every facet of our defense against our adversary is acquired when we “put on Christ Jesus.”
What the Word Says
Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh (Rom. 13:14)
What the Word Says to Me
What the Word Says
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you were baptized into Christ have put
on Christ (Gal. 3:26–27)
What the Word Says to Me
How do we put on Christ? With our faith. What we believe about Christ, we must actively receive into our lives.
We then must speak and act as if we have what we believe we have! We say to the Lord:
• “I believe You are the way, the truth, and the life and that if I follow the leading of Your Holy Spirit,
You will never lead me astray. I trust You to show me what to do in the situation I am facing right now.”
• “I believe Your righteousness is imparted to me through the Holy Spirit and that as I obey Your commandments,
You will manifest Your character traits in me.”
• “I believe that the path You have for me to walk is one that is for my good, for my wholeness, and that I
will experience Your peace as I walk in it.”
• “I believe that Jesus is God's only begotten Son and that He died on the cross for me and for the forgiveness
of my sins. I believe You will preserve and protect my spirit so that I might have eternal life with You in heaven.”
Third, our posture in warfare is primarily one of resistance. Only one piece of the armor Paul describes
has an offensive use. Every other aspect is for our defense, so we might “withstand in the evil day,” “quench the
fiery darts of the wicked one,” and be able to “stand.”
Fourth, once we have put on Christ we are to pray. Where do we stand? We stand in the presence of God
Himself. We come to Him in prayer.
Before we take any other action, we are to pray. Prayer is the first and foremost thing we must do anytime we
feel we are under attack by the enemy or that God is calling us to engage in spiritual warfare over a particular
need or situation.
We are to pray with perseverance—with enduring power—until God's supernatural power is released in us and through
us. We are to be “watchful” in our prayers, alert and diligent. In the next lesson we will cover what we are wise
to say in our prayers.
By putting on Christ, standing, and praying, we will be “strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Eph.
6:10). When we are strong in Christ, we cannot be defeated!
• What new insights do you have into your role in spiritual warfare?
• In what ways are you feeling challenged in your spirit?
From Overcoming the Enemy: Discover God's Plan for Winning Spiritual
Battles by Charles Stanley. Copyright 1997 by Charles Stanley.
