Jesus gives us a warning about the devil, “The thief does not come except to steal (kleptō: take away by theft), and to kill (thuō: to slaughter), and to destroy (apollumi: give over to eternal misery in hell)…” (John 10:10) The devil knows that he will spend eternity in the “lake of fires” and he will do every thing he can to cause us TO BE WITH HIM! “…when people keep on sinning, it shows that they BELONG TO THE DEVIL, who has BEEN SINNING SINCE THE BEGINNING. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8)
Paul lovingly says, “For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. But I am afraid that, as THE SERPENT DECEIVED EVE by his craftiness, YOUR MINDS WILL BE LED ASTRAY from the SIMPLICITY and PURITY of devotion to Christ.” (2 Corin. 11:2-3) The devil lied to Adam and Eve who lived in a perfect Garden and had a perfect Father but they believed the devil’s lie. So, we must be cautious because he (the devil) has lied to us and he will continue to lie to us as long as we allow him to hang around! How do we get victory over him? “Jesus called the twelve together, and GAVE THEM POWER AND AUTHORITY OVER ALL THE DEMONS and to heal diseases.” (Luke 9:1)
We see that Jesus called His disciples together, and gave them power and authority over ALL DEVILS, to cast them out and to cure diseases. Notice the word “ALL” as carefully chosen for us by the Holy Spirit, letting us know that we have power and authority, not over some, but ALL DEVILS. “God gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God OPPOSES THE PROUD but shows favor to the humble.” SUBMIT yourselves, then, to God. RESIST the devil, and HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU. COME NEAR TO GOD AND HE WILL COME NEAR TO YOU…” (James 4:6-8)
If we submit to God first then resist the devil — he will flee!!!!
-Bill Stockham