HOW TO OVERCOME SATAN

     Satan does not mind our learning all about his power and methods of working as long as we do not actually learn how to overcome him. There are to-day thousands of Christians who believe there is a devil and who also believe that he is responsible for ills in the world and among Christians, but they have never been instructed from the Word as to how they can proceed to overcome the work of the Evil One. They are therefore helpless before the onslaughts of Satan and often become greatly dejected in spirit and confess their defeat and know not what to do about it. There is scarcely any study in the Bible more desperately needed to-day than a study of how a child of God can overcome the devil. With the help of the Holy Spirit let us see what God's Word has to say on the subject.  

THREE STAGES OF VICTORY OVER SATAN  

     A careful study of all the passages of Scriptures which have to do with the subject of victory over the devil will reveal that there are three stages of victory. One is past, one is future, and the third is our blessed present tense privilege.  

     First, Christ won the victory over Satan on the Cross. This is our past-tense victory which was won for us by the Lord Jesus. Because of this victory Satan is now a defeated foe. First John 3:8: "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." Colossians 2:15 (literal translation) "And having despoiled the principalities and powers in view of the populace, he led them in triumphal procession as his captives—in it (i.e. in the cross)." In this latter verse Paul has in mind the picture of the old Roman triumphal procession after a victory of the Emperor in war. The houses of Rome were gayly decorated. People lined the streets and filled the roof-tops as the triumphal procession swept down the streets of the city. The warriors who had a part in the great victory were in the line of procession, and finally would come the chariot drawing the emperor himself and then chained to his chariot would be the captives taken in the battle. Many who lived in Palestine and witnessed the death of Jesus Christ could think of it as nothing but a defeat for Him, but the Apostle Paul had a vision of the cross as the place of a tremendous victory. He saw Jesus by His death on the cruel tree overcome Satan, and all the demons, and wicked angels in his great army and then he saw the Lord Jesus staging a triumphal procerslon before the multitude as the victor in the battle. And chained to His chariot were Satan and all his host, now captives of the risen Son of God. In our present dealings with Satan we must never forget that Satan is a defeated foe. We need to remind ourselves as well as him that this is so.  

     Second, Christ will seal Satan's eternal doom at the end of the millennium. Although Satan is already a defeated foe, the Bible teaches that his final doom awaits the end of the thousand year reign of Christ on earth. Revelation 20:10: "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever." The career of Satan will be climaxed with eternal punishment. He himself knows this, and therefore he is making use of every opportunity to do what he can to hinder God's cause while he still has the opportunity to do so. But we will see that we need not allow him to win a victory over us. The privilege of victory is ours.  

     Third, in the meantime, it is the actual privilege of believers to-day to take the place of authority with Christ on the throne and trample Satan under our feet in any given situation. A literal translation of Romans 16:20 reads: "The God of peace shall put Satan under your feet quickly in order that you as a conqueror shall trample on him." Jesus gave^authority over Satan to the disciples. Luke 10:19 R-V. "Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy." Again, Paul tells us that Jesus is seated in heaven on the throne and principalities and powers are beneath him, yes, under His feet in subjection. And we as believers in Christ are united to Him and so we share His victory. Ephesians 1:20-22: "Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world (age), but also in that which is to come; and hath put all things under his feet." To be a successful warrior against Satan we must learn to take our position as seated with Christ in the heavenlies and exert His authority over the power of a foe who is in one sense already defeated.  

PREPARATION NECESSARY FOR WARFARE WITH SATAN  

     Just as soldiers of our country in time of war need to go through a course of training to learn how to be good soldiers, so every real Christian should be trained from the Word of God in those things that are necessary to prepare him for battling with the devil.  

     We must learn not to use carnal weapons. The Apostle Paul had learned this lesson. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4: "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." When we fight individuals who oppose us, instead of dealing with Satan who is using these individuals, we are using carnal weapons. And when we fight Satan in the energy of the flesh (i.e. our old carnal nature) instead of in the power of the Spirit, we are using carnal weapons. Ephesians 6:12: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers," etc. Fighting Satan by using carnal weapons, wears out the body and puts it under a terrible strain. It shatters the nerves and depresses the mind. Let us beware of falling into this serious error.  

     We must learn to reckon our old carnal nature to be crucified -with Christ and yield our members to be weapons in Christ's hands. Romans 6:6 and 13: "Knowing this that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Neither yield ye your members as instruments (lit: weapons) of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments (lit: weapons) of righteousness unto God." Before we are fit to sit upon the throne with Christ and share His victory over Satan, we must travel by way of the cross and there see our "old man" crucified. Then we should yield ourselves to God and turn the members of our body over to Christ to be weapons in His hands to be used as He sees fit in the battle against Satan.  

     We must learn to realize our union with Christ in His resurrection and ascension. Ephesians 2:6: "And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." According to this verse believers were raised with Christ, they ascended with Christ, and they are now seated with Christ. Actually these are experiences which can only be made real to us by the Holy Spirit Himself. Do we live in the heavenlies seated with a triumphant Savior? By God's grace we may take that position and live and serve Christ victoriously.  

     There is a water spider that lives in the mud lake of the marsh. It gathers around itself a bubble of air and then descends into the water. It builds its nest and rears its young while it lives under the water. While it lives below, it actually breathes the atmosphere of the air above. This is a picture of the life of a Christian- warrior, who although he lives in the world, yet he breathes the atmosphere of heaven, for he dwells in the heavenlies and learns to triumph over the things of earth that would annoy him.  

     We must learn to make use of the authority over Satan which is ours in union with the seated Christ. We have already quoted verses pointing out the authority which is ours over the Satanic host. Let us now illustrate it from the life of Moses. Exodus 17:8-13: "Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass when Moses held up his hand that Israel prevailed-. and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands were heavy: and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands Were steady Until the going down of the sun: and Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword." The rod of Moses was the symbol of the authority which was his over all the enemies of Israel. Victory was maintained by Israel as long as the rod was held up, but when it was allowed to drop down, Israel was defeated. Victory is ours to-day over Satan and his forces as long as we hold over him the rod of the Christ-given authority.  

     We must learn that warriors against Satan in order to overcome must be Spirit-filled. We may even imitate the very language and methods used by a successful warrior and be defeated ourselves if we attempt to wage warfare against Satan in our own strength and not in the power of the Holy Spirit. Acts 19:13-16: "Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said: Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? and the man in whom the evil spirit was, leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded."  

HOW TO DEFEAT THE DEVIL  

     Having learned the necessary lessons to prepare us for our warfare with Satan, the next question is: How shall we actually win the battle over him? Let us not be satisfied with anything less than real victory.  

     Make use of three mighty weapons. God has provided these for us. They are exceedingly effective. These three weapons are: the name of Christ, the blood of Christ, and the Word of God. Don't fail to make use of all three of these.  

     The name of Christ is all powerful against the Evil One. Acts 16:18: "I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour." The apostles continually made use of the name of their Savior. Doing so is the same as bringing Christ on the scene to deal with the situation in Person. There is tremendous authority and power in that name. It is indeed a potent weapon. If we make use of it, we need never be powerless.  

     The blood of Christ has power to overcome the devil. Revelation 12:11: "And they overcame him (i.e. Satan) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony." The reason the blood of Christ is so effective is because it symbolizes to Satan, Christ's victory over him on the cross. Therefore Satan hates the blood of Christ. We must make it our symbol of victory. Let us plant the blood-stained banner of the cross in every situation where Satan has been busy working, and having done this let us stand there by it until it prevails. It is a flag that has never suffered defeat.  

"The cross it standeth fast.  

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!  

Defying every blast.  

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

The winds of hell have blown,  

The world its hate has shown,  

Yet it is not overthrown,  

Hallelujah for the cross.  

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!  

It shall never suffer loss!"  

                Horatius Bonar  

     The Word of God is another powerful weapon to use against Satan. Ephesians 6:17: "And take the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God." 1 John 2:14: "I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the Word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one." The Word of God is our ammunition against the Evil One, and we should always have a good supply available for instant use when it is needed. The Lord Jesus won His victory over the temptations of the devil by doing this. Matthew 4:10 says: "Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan, for it is written . . . . . . .  "Three times over in His experience with the devil, Jesus quotes Scripture to him. Let us overcome Satan in the same way as Jesus did. Let us say to him something like this: "Get thee hence, Satan, for it is written ...." and then let us quote to him en appropriate passage from the Word. Here are some good examples of verses to use: Romans 8:37; 1 John 4:4; Ephesians 6:10; First Corinthians 15:57; Philippians 4:13 etc.  

     First, take a stand against the enemy, and then having done this, stand your ground. In Paul's discourse on the Christian soldier and his warfare in the sixth chapter of Ephesians, we find three commands. First, we. are commanded to "stand", then we are told to "withstand", and finally, "having done all, to stand." In other words, v/e are first, to take a stand, then we are to withstand and finally, we are to stand our ground.  

     The command to take a stand is similar to the word of James in chapter 4:7 of his epistle: "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." This is well illustrated by the experience of a cat and dog. A big yellow Chow dog chases a little kitten, but suddenly the little kitten gets up enough courage to turn around and face the big dog and hisses at him. The dog turns and runs away. The kitten has v/on the victory by facing his foe instead of running from him. Even so, when we discover that Satan is after us, let us turn and face him and let him know that we understand his working. Let us take a bold stand against him. When Satan is resisted, he proves to be a coward—he flees. As long as we retreat before the devil we will have to continue doing so. If we take a stand against him, we can have the victory. A good way to do this is to say to Satan: "You are responsible for this situation, and I here and now resist you concerning it in the name of Christ, and by the power of the blood I now overcome you, and you do flee."  

     But there are times when Satan persists even though we resist him by taking a bold stand against him. Then it becomes necessary for us to "withstand" and "having done all—to stand". In other words, we must stand our ground, 1 Peter 5:9: "whom resist stedfast in the faith". If, after taking your stand, Satan does not appear to move, you must never back up or allow yourselves to be defeated in spirit. Let Satan know that if anybody is going to retreat it will not be you. He will have to be the one to do the retreating. Your faith is in the Lord. In Christ, you are Satan's conqueror. Therefore having taken your stand against him, you refuse to back down. That is being "steadfast in the faith". The devil cannot stand against that spirit.  

     Never give in an inch to the devil, or else he will fake a mile. Ephesians 4:27: "Neither give place to the devil." Satan knows he cannot get us to give in to him in any big way, but he is clever enough to know that sometimes he can get us to give in to him in a small way. Every bit of ground which we give to him becomes first a toe-hold, but later it becomes a strangle-hold. Let us beware of giving him any such an advantage over us. Our motto must always be: "No compromise with the devil".  

     In fighting Satan, never depend upon your own strength. Victory is ours only because we are united to the all-powerful Son of God. Apart from Him we are defeated before we begin. Ephesians 6:10: "Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." We are only strong because we are "in the Lord."  

     Someone once said to Martin Luther: "The Pope is after you". He replied: "If it is a matter between Martin Luther and the Pope, it is all up with Martin Luther; but if it is a matter between the Pope and God, it's all up with the Pope." So if it's a matter between me alone and the devil, then it's all up with me; but if it's a matter between the devil and the Lord Jesus (and I am in Him) then it's all up with the devil.  

     If you expect to defeat Satan, be sure to have on all the armor of God. Ephesians 6:13 to 18 is God's description of the armor He has provided for every soldier who is fighting against Satan and his hosts. Verse 13 says: "Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God." God has provided it for you and laid it at your feet. You must pick it up and put it on and use it.  

     God's armor is composed of seven parts. First comes the girdle of truth—verse 14: "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth." We are not girded for the battle unless daily we have God's truth for us out of His Word.  

     Second, is the breastplate of righteousness—verse 14: "And having on the breastplate of righteousness." This means more than the righteousness which is ours in justification, it means the righteousness which is ours in sanctification. It means victorious living. A failure here in the life of a soldier makes him vulnerable. Such righteousness is possible only through the power of the indwelling Christ and is not ours apart from Him.  

     Third, we have the shoes of the gospel—verse 15: "And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace." Here we have the military boots, ready to take the soldier wherever his Commander bids him go. Are we willing to go any place our Commander tells us to go and take the gospel of peace there? If we are not, then we are like a soldier who stays at home and never gets in a battle at all.  

     Fourth, is the shield of faith—verse 16: "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the Evil One." Faith in God and in His promises is an all-sufficient shield to protect us against every attack of Satan.  

"The soul that on Jesus doth lean for repose,'  

He will not, He will not desert to his foes,

That soul though all hell should endeavor to shake,  

He'll never, no never, no never forsake!"  

     Fifth, is the helmet of salvation—verse 17: "And take the helmet of salvation." The helmet is for protecting the head. Our minds need to be protected from special attacks of the Evil One. With most of us, Satan knows that the best way to overcome us is to come at us through our thought life. God has provided for us this helmet of salvation, which means there is salvation for our minds as well as all our entire beings.  

     Sixth, is the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God —verse 17: "And the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." This is our one great offensive weapon among the seven. We have already seen how Christ used it in His battle with Satan. We need to put the weapon in the hand of the Holy Spirit and let Him wield it through us. In other words the Holy Spirit should tell us what Scripture to use against Satan. Letting Him control our use of the ammunition we use against Satan will multiply its effectiveness.  

     Seventh, is the weapon of prayer—verse 18: "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." Earnest prayer is absolutely necessary for victorious warfare against Satan.  

"Satan trembles when he sees  

The weakest saint upon his knees."  

     Without prayer we cannot hope to succeed. With prayer we need never be defeated.  

     Let us thank God that He has provided for us this wonderful armor. Let us put on every single piece, and then, having done this, let us take our stand against Satan and thus be able to rejoice in a glorious victory over him.  

"When Satan like a raging Foe  

     Stalks boldly through the land,  

And utters threats of direful woe  

     At all who dare withstand,  

Fear not the Adversary's might  

     Nor to his wrath give place;  

Put on the armor of the Lord—  

     Resist him by God's grace."  

"When Satan with deceptive wiles  

     And false, seductive snares  

Beneath a mask of subtle smiles  

     Approaches unawares,  

Yield not allegiance to the one  

     Who would thy soul debase;  

Put on the armor of the Lord—  

     Resist him by God's grace."  

                              Thos. Kimber