Time to give Satan an eviction notice eh?

Sunday bible study on April 24, 2011

Nowhere in Scripture does it ever say that Jesus faced demonic power with fear and trembling. In fact, it was just the other way around. It was the demons who cried out in fear:

“There was a man in the synagogue with an evil spirit. And he cried out, saying, ‘Let us alone! What have we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? did you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the Holy One of God “‘ (Mark 1:23,24 smf).

“When Jesus stepped out onto the land, he was met by a man with demons… and when he saw Jesus, he raised a terrible cry and fell down in terror before him.

“Shouting at the top of his voice he said, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God. Please, I beg you don’t torment me…

“Jesus asked him, ‘What is your name? ‘Legion,’ he replied, because thousands of demons had gone into the man. And the demons begged him repeatedly not to order them into the bottomless pit” (Luke 8:27-31 smf).

“You believe there is one God? Good! But remember, the demons do too – so strongly that they tremble in terror” (Jas 2:19 smf).

It is interesting to note that the Greek word for “tremble” is phrisso. It means to shiver or shudder in terror and horror. It refers to the kind of fear which causes the the hair on one’s skin to bristle or stand on end.

No, it wasn’t Jesus Who was terrified by the presence of demons. It was the demons who were struck with fear by the power and presence of the Lord. They knew He had come to strip Satan of his power and authority.

1. Jesus Has All Power

After His resurrection, Jesus plainly put this truth in these words:

‘ALL power in heaven and on earth has been given unto me. Therefore go and make disciples in all nations… And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt 28:18-20 smf).

The word “power” in the scripture above means power to rule, to take authority and have dominion. Now if Jesus has ALL power and authority, that means the devil has none. Through His death on the cross, Jesus dethroned the devil and took away his power of death.

Jesus strongly stated this truth again to the Apostle John in his heavenly vision. “Don’t be afraid; I am the first and the last. I died, but see, I am alive for ever more. I have the keys [authority] of death and the grave” (Rev 1:17, 18 smf).

2. Jesus Gave Power To Believers

Not only does Jesus have all power and authority, but He has given that power to His disciples – of all ages!

“The seventy disciples returned with great joy. ‘Lord,’ they said, ‘even the demons submit to us when we use your name.’

“And Jesus said to them, ‘Yes, I saw Satan falling from heaven like a lightning flash. And I have given you authority over all of the power of the enemy. You have power to crush under foot scorpions and serpents [demonic powers]. Nothing shall harm you!” (Luke 10:17-19 smf).

“These signs shall follow those who believe: they shall use the authority of my name to cast out demons..” (Mark 16:17 smf).

In the light of the above scriptures, it is plain that we have no reason to fear demonic forces. Their power and authority have been taken away. It is they who tremble in our presence when we stand strong in the victory of Calvary, submitted to the conquering Christ.

Let us now consider how to put the truth of God’s Word into action. Principles must be proven in practice.

F. THE POWER OF GOD’S PRESENCE

“The Lord their God is with them. The shout of the king is among them. God brought them out of Egypt. Israel has the strength of a wild ox.

No curse can be placed on them, and no witchcraft can be done against them. See what wonders God has done for them.

“These people rise up like a lion that will not rest until it has destroyed and eaten its prey…” (Num 23:21-24 smf). In the above passage we have a picture of what we enjoy as believers in Christ. God’s presence is with us, and His protection rests upon us. We are victorious over our enemies.

1. Demons Cannot Harm Believers

It is of special interest to note that no curse can be placed on us and no evil magic can be done against us. Even witchcraft is of no effect as long as we submit to the royal rule of our God. When we walk in faith and obedience, no power of the enemy can harm us.

This is truth which is for God’s people of every age. It rests upon the principle of divine dominion. As said before, when we come under God’s authority, His authority comes upon us. Then we can resist the devil and his demons in the authority of His Name and by the power of His Word. They will flee from us.

There are places in the world where this truth is of great importance. Many people live their whole lives in fear because of witchcraft. I have seen them completely set free in Christ Jesus.

When they understand that the devil was totally defeated at Calvary, they lose their fear. They quickly begin to move in their authority as royal sons and daughters in the family of God. They are not afraid to face and defeat demon powers wherever they find them. It is beautiful to see “the wonders which God has done for them.”

2. Personal Experience

I would like to briefly share something that I personally went through. As you know, I had become a Muslim before I had an encounter with Jesus in 1997. I experienced a lot of freedom instantly when I met Jesus, but I had no idea that I was still under demonic oppression.

About 6 years later, outwardly I was an outstanding Christian, ministering powerfully especially through the word and music. Inwardly, I was stuck in a rut. My life had not experienced the freedom that I knew was mine in Jesus.

Every experiment I had done in the occult, every ‘god’ I submitted to while studying hinduism, had given a foothold for Satan in my life. To top it off, I had renounced Jesus and submitted to the ‘god’ of Islam.

Getting ‘saved’ and ‘ministering’ for 6 years did not address this problem.

At that time I went to Bahrain for a recording. The Church there, The Father’s House, was in the middle of a 40 day fast. During one of the first meetings with Pastor Koshy of the Father’s House, my hand started rotating and twisting uncontrollably. It was only when he rebuked a spirit that it settled down. I was so taken back by this that we agreed to meet again for prayer.

This began 17 days of intense deliverance, where demon after demon, spirit after spirit left me as they were exposed layer by layer.

Demons can not posses a believer, but unless we renounce what we have willingly and unwillingly submitted to, they will have a legal clause to influence and torment us. In ignorance of this, I had lived under their influence, but the truth from the word of God, ministered under the anointing in the name of Jesus has set me free.

I have seen and experienced how powerless demons are. It has been 6 years since the deliverance sessions in Bahrain, and I continue to take back what the devil has stolen, not just in my life, but in the lives of many others, and with absolutely NO FEAR.

Jesus is the ‘Winner Man’

G. CONCLUSION

God wants us to walk in the joy of His presence, power and protection. He hasn’t given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Tim 1:7).

Let us live therefore in faith and rejoice in our freedom from fear. Truly, we are beloved sons and daughters in the royal family of God.

Our victory over demon powers is clearly stated in Scripture. One of the key verses is found in Paul’s Letter to the church at Colossae: “God disarmed and defeated the principalities and powers – ruling demonic spirits. He made a public display of them. God won the victory through Christ and his cross” (Co, 2:15 smf).

In this passage we are told that God has disarmed and defeated the ruling powers in the world of evil spirits. This refers to powerful demons in the forces of Satan. They were stripped of their arms and authority. They are now defenseless and disgraced.

The language used in this verse describes a military custom of the Roman armies. After a great victory, they had a parade. The conquering general put iron manacles and chains on the defeated leader. He then tied the defeated leader to his chariot with a chain. The defeated armies were forced to march, bound in chains, behind the triumphant general.

This is a vivid picture of Christ’s victory parade in which the defeated enemy (the devil and his princes) are put to public shame. It is a victory which was won by the Lord Jesus Christ at Calvary, when He was crucified.

1. Authority Surrendered

In 1945, when Japan surrendered to the United Stated, the ceremony was most dramatic. The Japanese General boarded the Battleship Missouri in his full dress uniform. With him were men of high rank in both government and military circles.

The General came representing the commander-in-chief of the Japanese Armed Forces. General MacArthur, who represented the United States, then boarded the ship with men who represented the government and the Armed Forces of the United States. It was a personal, face-to-face meeting.

General Mac-Arthur reached out and removed all of the General’s military medals, ribbons and decorations. He then reached up and took the emblems of authority from his shoulders.

He was reduced to a man of defeat and disgrace without power or authority. The surrender ceremony was finalized by the Japanese General taking the sword at his side and handing it over to General MacArthur.

When the General surrendered, it was not just his own personal defeat. All the combined air force, army, navy and military forces of Japan surrendered and were rendered powerless. It was a moment of victory and triumph for the United States and her allies. it was total defeat and surrender for the Japanese generals and their troops. The war had been won!

This is what happened at Calvary! Satan and all of his demons were totally defeated. They were put to an open display of shame and disgrace on that first resurrection Sunday morning.

The words of Robert Lowry’s famous hymn tell the story in a most beautiful way:

“Up from the grave He arose
with a mighty triumph o’er His foes
He arose the Victor from the dark domain
and He lives forever with His saints to reign
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!”

2. Authority Transferred

Christ now holds in His hands forever the keys of Hell and death. He holds them because He was victorious over sin, Satan, demons and death. He was totally triumphant – over the devil, over all principalities and powers. He won it all!

Not only was the victory His, but ours as well. General MacArthur’s victory was not just for himself. It was a victory that all the people of the United States and the allied forces enjoyed. Jesus’ victory is the same for all of us who love and serve Him.

Jesus experienced the shame of dying like a criminal on a cross that we might know it. We must walk in the light of the revelation. It is our key to victorious Christian living!
No Authority Over Believers. It is important to know that when the devil was defeated, so were all of his demon forces. They have no authority or power over our lives except that which we allow them to have.

The story is told of an army sergeant who was imprisoned in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp. After Japan surrendered, the Japanese general in charge of the camp kept his command. He was expecting a high ranking officer from the United States forces to arrive and take over. He was to learn that a defeated general has less authority than a sergeant, if the sergeant belongs to the army who won the war. Upon hearing of the surrender of Japan, the sergeant quickly informed the Japanese general that he and his men would now take charge.

There was no need to wait. With the signing of the surrender papers, the change of command reached down to the lowest ranking soldier. Even a lowly sergeant in the army could command a high ranking officer, if that officer was a member of the defeated forces.

What a powerful picture this is of the believer’s authority. It is ours when we come under the head-ship of the Lord Jesus Christ.

D. BELIEVERS HAVE AUTHORITY OVER DEMONS

Christ’s triumph over satan on the cross of calvary means we are now in charge also. Every Christian who is living under the authority of God has the right to assume command and take over his part of the world. He has the authority and legal right to tell the devil (and his demons) where to go and what to do.

1. Authority Through Submission

We are taught to resist the enemy and see him flee. the Apostle James uses a military term in explaining this truth in his Epistle:

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (Jas 4:7).

The Word “submit means to be under obedience to a higher rank, or come under authority (that is, be totally obedient to the Lord).

When we come under the authority of God, His authority comes upon us. Under that authority we can stand up and firmly resist the devil and his demons. When we do, they will turn in fear and run away.

This principle of gaining authority by being under authority is illustrated in the ministry of Jesus. A Centurion came to Jesus wanting his servant healed.

Jesus agreed to go to the servant and heal him. The Centurion responded, “.. it isn’t necessary for you to come. If you will only stand here and say.’ Be healed, ‘ my servant will get well!
“I know, because I am under the authority of my superior officers and I have authority over my soldiers, and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another ‘Come.’ and he comes, and to my slave boy, ‘Do this or that,’ and he does it. And I know you have authority to tell his sickness to go – and it will go!” (Matt 8:5-9.

The Centurion had authority, because he was a man under authority. In the same manner, when we submit to God, we come under His authority. Then when we resist the devil, the devil flees from us.

2. Headship And Authority

The headship of Christ and the Christian’s authority is an important truth to understand. As we have said, it is the key to victorious Christian living.

a. David and Goliath: The Characters.

There is a familiar and interesting story in the Old Testament that clearly explains this idea. It is the story of a young Jewish warrior named David and a great Philistine giant named Goliath (1 Sam 17).

The characters and armies in this story fall into four main types:

1. David represents or is a type of Christ.
2. The Israelite army is a type of the believers in Christ’s Body.
3. Goliath represents or is a type of Satan.
4. The Philistine army represents Satan’s demonic agents.

b. David And Goliath: The Story.

With these allegories in mind, let us review the story and see what meaning it brings to our warfare in the spiritual realm.

1. The Challenge. Goliath came forth from the Philistine army roaring like a lion. What did the people of God do? They reacted like many Christians do today when they face the devil and his demons. They were dismayed and greatly afraid. Therefore, they turned and fled in terror. They had no faith to resist.

A young shepherd boy (probably no more than 15 or 16 years old) then appeared on the scene. His name was David. He knew God as his good and great Shepherd. He had come to bring food for his brothers who were in the army of Israel.

He had recently been chosen by God for a special purpose. The godly prophet Samuel had anointed David with oil to be the next king of Israel. David came, therefore, as the “anointed one” to visit the Israelite camp. No one knew at that time, however, that he would one day be their king.

Upon seeing Goliath, and hearing him shout out his insults upon the armies of Israel, David said in anger, “Who is this heathen Philistine. Anyway? Why is he allowed to defy and insult the armies of the living God?” (1 Sam 17:26).

There was no fear or timidity in the heart of David. The anointing which he had just received was powerfully at work in him. While everyone else drew back in dismay. David boldly stood his ground and made ready to meet Goliath face to face.

He chose not to use the armor and weapons of King Saul. Rather, he would rely upon five smooth stones from the brook and his shepherd’s slingshot. He decided the best defense is a strong offense. So he strode forth to respond to the challenge of Goliath.

2.The Victory. The battle was over almost before it began. One well-aimed and Spirit-directed stone struck mighty Goliath in the center of his huge head. As he fell to the ground, David rushed up, took Goliath’s own sword, and cut off his head.

At once, the entire Philistine army fled in great fear. Goliath had been their champion – their head and mighty leader. He was a symbol or sign of their military power and authority. When he fell, they realized they were defeated and fled.

You will recall from our first chapter that “headship” refers to dominion, power and authority over others.

When David attacked and cut off Goliath’s head, he not only defeated Goliath, but the entire Philistine army. Goliath’s “headship” was destroyed. All his power and authority and that of his Philistine army were made of no effect. The Philistines were left powerless before David’s powerful victory over their leader. No wonder they fled in fear!

This story illustrates the powerful victory of Christ over Satan and his armies of demons.

c. Jesus

Our Anointed Shepherd-Savior. Genesis 3:15 foretold that one day the “seed of the woman” would fatally wound (bruise) the head of the serpent. In due time a “Great One than David” appeared on the scene. His Name was “Jesus Christ” which means, The Anointed One Who Saves. He is our anointed, Shepherd-Savior. At Calvary, He engaged that old serpent, Satan, in the conflict of the ages.

Satan’s headship and dominion were destroyed by Jesus when He died on the cross, descended into Hades, conquered all the forces of Hell and arose from the grave, triumphant over death.

Therefore, the devil’s troops (demons) no longer have any power or authority over believers who are under the headship of Christ Jesus. When His Name is spoken in authority, they tremble and must bow their knee in submission to His Lordship.

This response of demon powers to the presence of Jesus was clearly seen throughout His earthly ministry. We will want to study this a little more. It is a truth which is worthy of our attention, for it has the power to set the fearful Christian free.

Introduction

In this chapter I want to show how Christ’s conquest of Satan (which rendered him powerless) also gives us power over demons and freedom from fear of demons.

Most of the problems we have as Christians are not from demons or the devil. They are problems we are dealing with inside ourselves. Our “inside” enemy is our own flesh or selfish desires. We will deal with this subject in another chapter.

Review

In the previous chapter, we saw how the victory of the cross brought defeat to the devil. His dominion (or right to rule) over “born-again” men was taken away. No longer does he have power or authority to rule our lives.

We are sons and daughters in the mighty family of God. Christ and His family are chosen to rule and reign over ALL the earth. This is our destiny and divine calling. We are being trained and prepared to rule and reign with Christ.

The only power Satan has now is the power of INFLUENCE. He still tries to deceive through lying words, works and wonders. He seeks to persuade Christians into thinking he is still in command.

This is a great danger to us. We must beware! Satan will try to encroach and rob us of as much of our blessings as we allow him to.
The truth which is in this chapter will set us free and keep us free from the devil’s influence, which produces fear.

A. FREEDOM FROM FEAR OF DEMONS

Demons are spiritual beings who are agents of the devil. They cooperate with him and do his work. Their evil actions are against God and man. Some students of Scripture believe demons are wicked angels who fell from Heaven with Satan after he rebelled against God (see Isaiah 14:12-14).

At any rate, their presence and activity are plainly seen in the Bible.

For many people, the very thought of demons filled their hearts with fear. Many Christians are afraid of demon power and activity.

Now it is most important that we be set free from such fear. And the reason is this: Fear is to the devil what faith is to God.

1. Fear Attracts Evil Powers

Let me explain. Faith brings God into our daily lives. It acts as a magnet and draws or attracts the power of God into our lives. Faith brings His life into ours!
Now, fear acts in the same way. It too is a very “attracting” force. It attracts evil powers of darkness. These are “deadly” forces because that is what they produce – death! They can kill our joy and peace in the Holy Spirit.
If life in God speaks of love, joy, peace … then death speaks of hatred, sadness, distress..! Fear opens the door of our heart. This allows all kinds of dark, evil thoughts and feelings to come in. When our emotions are filled with fear, this can lead to slavery and bondage to fear.

2. Faith And Fear Do Not Mix

God spoke repeatedly to the leaders of Israel about faith and fear. They were firmly told to trust God, and show no fear to other gods or their enemies: “Be strong and of good courage… Fear not the gods of the Amorites” (Jos 1:9; Judg 6:10).

Like oil and water, faith and fear do not mix. If we start with faith and express it by resisting the devil, our enemy will flee from us (Jas 4:7). If we cower in fear, the powers of darkness (the devil and demons) will enslave us and faith will flee from us. It is just that simple.

3. Balanced Truth Sets Us Free

The devil seeks to deceive us by either hiding the truth or by taking a part of the truth and carrying it too far. In regard to demons, he would like for us:

• to think they are inactive or don’t even exist, or
• to see a demon behind every problem in our life.

In present years, some have talked so much about demons, that many people have been brought into a place of great fear. Instead of being set free from their problems, they have the added weight of worry. Any doctrine or teaching can be harmful and dangerous if emphasized too much or taught in a manner that is not true to the Bible.

I knew a lady a few years ago who almost lost her mind for fear of demons. She became very fearful from sitting for a whole week under a certain evangelist’s teaching.

The teaching she heard led her to believe her home was filled with devils. She was afraid every room, closet and hallway had hidden demons who were waiting to bring her harm.

It took a couple of weeks of teaching from Scripture to bring her out of fear and back into a place of faith. We all need to know the truth and live in the freedom which it brings.

B. DEMONS ARE NOT LIKE GOD

Like the little lady above, some people are afraid of demons because they believe the demons possess abilities or traits which they do not have.

1. Demons Are Not All-Knowing

The devil and his demons do not know everything, nor can they read our minds. They don’t know how we will react to thoughts or feelings they may put in our minds and hearts. They must wait and see what we do. In time they may become familiar with our patterns of behavior, but they cannot foresee or determine our actions.

Satan certainly did not foresee the outcome of his attack on Job. Nor did he expect the victory which would come to Jesus through the cross.

2. Demons Are Not Present Every where At Once

Certainly they were most disturbed to be around Jesus. They also quickly left the scene when they faced the apostles in the Book of Acts.

3. Demons Are Not All-Powerful

When David sang songs to King Saul, the evil spirit which troubled him would depart. Powerful praise and worship of the Lord will drive demonic forces away!

4. Traits That Belong Only To God

As we shall see, even new believers – when submitted to God – can cause the enemy to flee. Actually, the above traits belong only to God.
He alone is:

1. Omniscient: all knowing;
2. Omnipresent: present everywhere;
3. Omnipotent: all powerful.

5. An Open Door to Demons

The devil and his demons may attack us. they cannot, however, enter our lives unless we open the door by way of

1. doubt
2. disobedience or
3. deception.

They do not possess the attributes of almighty God. In fact, the enemy is no match for an informed Christian who is walking in faith and obedience.

The sooner we accept this truth, the sooner we will move from fear to faith, and from defeat to victory. These are, indeed, basic principles for the victorious Christian life.