Satan Will Not Win
Those are some of Satan’s designs. The path to victory in this warfare is to hold fast to Christ who has already dealt the decisive blow.
• 1 John 3:8: “The Son of God appeared to destroy the works of the devil.”
• Hebrews 2:14: “Christ took on human nature that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil.”
• Colossians 2:15: “God disarmed the principalities and powers and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in him.” In other words, the decisive blow was struck at Calvary.
• Mark 3:27: “No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man.”
• Revelation 20:10; Matthew 25.41″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>25:41)
Resist!
James says, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you!” (James 4:7: “They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” They embraced the triumph of Christ by his blood. They spoke that truth in faith. They did not fear death. And they triumphed.
The New Testament highlights prayer as the pervasive accompaniment of every battle. “Take…the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication” (Ephesians 6:17–18).
As the close of this age draws near, and Satan rages, Jesus calls us to wartime prayer: “Watch at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36).
Even Jesus fought against the devil on our behalf with the weapon of prayer. He said to Peter in Luke 22.31–32″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>Luke 22:31–32, “Satan has asked to have you that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.” So Jesus illustrates for us the opposition of a specific satanic threat with prayer.
And, of course, Jesus instructed us to make prayer a daily weapon for protection in general: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13). That is, deliver us from the successful temptation of the evil one. Do you confront the designs of the devil with the focused and determined power of prayer?
No Neutral Zone
The question is not whether you want to be in this war. Everyone is in it. Either we are defeated by the devil and thus following, like cattle to the slaughter, “the prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2).
There is no neutral zone. You either triumph “by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony,” or you will be enslaved by Satan. Therefore, “share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3). Pray without ceasing!
The Lord Jesus is no less a warrior today than in the days of old. So I urge you again: Come to him as willing soldiers of the Prince of Peace and learn to say, “He trains my hands for war” (Psalm 144:1).
