RESISTING SATAN

“Take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”

—Ephesians 6:13

There is much confusion today about spiritual warfare. Some say we must rebuke and bind Satan to thwart his power and influence. Others say we must drive our demonic spirits through “deliverance ministries.” And others encourage us to gather to assault the strongholds of supposed territorial demons. But spiritual warfare is not an outright frontal attack on the forces of darkness. Scripture says, “Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). “Be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith” (1 Pet. 5:8-9).

The idea that Christians have the authority to rebuke or bind Satan is foreign to Scripture. Spiritual victory involves submitting to God, pursuing His will, keeping your spiritual armor on, being on the alert for Satan’s attacks, and then standing firm and resisting him “in the evil day” (Eph. 6:13), since we are not ignorant of his devices (2 Cor. 2:11). The “evil day” is a general reference to the sin that exists in this world. As the “god of this world” (2 Cor. 4:4), Satan continues to produce evil until he and his demonic forces are cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10-15). Then the evil day will give way to an eternal age of righteousness. Christian, don’t give up the good fight of faith. Don’t stop resisting the devil. Keep the courage to stand firm against Satan by submitting to the will of God. Stay in the Word, be diligent in prayer, faithfully partake of the sacraments, and maintain healthy fellowship with the saints. This is how we resist the advance and deception of Satan.

—Pastor S. Henry