Contributor: Isekhua Evborokhai
INTRODUCTION
Last week we looked at the ways to deal with evil spirits. Once someone is truly saved and have the revelational knowledge of the power in the name of Jesus; is submitted to God’s authority and finally is armed with whole armour of God he/she can put the devil and his minions to flight!
So many times Christians ask the question, "Why does God permit the devil to do such terrible things on the earth? Why doesn't God do something about the devil?"
There are many things that happen in life that we wonder about. But, really, God is waiting for us to exercise our authority and do something about the devil. His Word stands behind the authority He's given us. But so many times we just bow down and let the devil run over us, waiting for God to do something about the devil, when we just need to take our stand against him with the Word and put him on the run. We need to do something about the adverse circumstances in our own lives by taking authority over Satan and standing our ground against him with the Word, claiming what belongs to us.
Today’s topic is somewhat of a challenge to us! “Believers, not God that must exercise authority over the devil!”
HOW DO WE KNOW THIS?
1. THE PROMISE OF HIS WORDS
Jesus speaking in Matt. 18:18 said "Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Emphasis mine.
Jesus has given us the authority. It is whatever we bind and lose not whatever He binds or loses. In other words He is saying, I have given you the authority, you have my backing, go out there and deal with the enemy! This backing is not also limited to pastors and prophets and the likes but to all who are truly born again!
John 1:12 says: “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” Emphasis mine
The One who has all the power (Matt.28:18) has given it to us. Also in Luke 10:19 He said: “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”
It is therefore us that will trample on snakes and scorpions!
In John 14:12 Jesus said: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”
Jesus while He was on earth exercised His authority over the Devil and his cohorts and He’s promised those that believe that we will do greater works!
James 4:7 says. “Submit yourselves, then, to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you”
It is therefore us that will put the devil to flight! By submitting ourselves to God and resisting the devil!
Mark 16:17 says: “These signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils.”
It is us that will cast out the devils, not God! We have the authority in the name of Jesus!
2. GOD HAS GIVEN US THE EARTH
Psalms 115: 16 says: “The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.”
What we, by Adam lost in Eden was by Christ restored on the cross. 1 Cor. 15:21 “For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.”
God’s original plan for us has been restored. So we “own” the earth and have dominion over everything on the earth including the devil and his cohorts. The earth is our domain and we are to reign in this life by Christ! (Romans 5:17 – “For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.”) Kings issue decree and commands (Job 22:28a – “Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee”) to all the inhabitants of their kingdom and that includes the Devil!
3. WE HAVE ALREADY OVERCOME!
1 Corinthians 15:57 says: “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”
Rom. 8: 37 says “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”
1 John 4:4 says “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” Emphasis mine
The word "them" is referring to the Devil. Demons, evil spirits, etc. We have already overcome them because we are in Christ!
CONCLUSION
Some believers seem to have more respect for the devil and his ability and believe in him more than they do in God! That isn’t what should be! We should instead take our place in Christ; stand our ground on God's Word. Be careful about keeping company with people who are always talking about the devil and who don't magnify the Word of God. We have authority over the Devil and his cohorts. The Word of God is clear about it as we have seen! God has given us the earth and the Devil is therefore trespassing! We have the victory over him and the authority to put him to flight. He only pretends to be a roaring lion but he isn’t! So put him in his place – on the run! You don't have to go looking for the devil, but if he shows up, kick him out. You have authority over him in Jesus’ name!
