“We are not ignorant of his devices.”(2Cor.2:11)

1. WHERE DID THE DEVIL COME FROM?

A. God created the devil:

Pro.16:4 – The Lord hath made all things…even the wicked
Isa.45:7 – I form the light, & darkness…& create evil: I the Lord do all these things
Ezk.28:14,15 – Anointed cherub…from the day thou wast created
Jn.1:3 – All things were made by Him (Jesus)
Col.1:16 – By Him (Jesus) were all things created

B. The devil’s fall through pride:

Isa.14:12-15 – Thou hast said…I will be like the most High
Ezk.28:13-17 – Thine heart wast lifted up because of thy beauty
1Tim.3:6 – Lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the (same) condemnation of (judgement as) the devil

2. THE DEVIL IS UNDER GOD’S CONTROL & RESTRICTIONS:

A. Satan could only afflict Job as God permitted:

Job 1:6-12 – All he hath is in thy power; only on him put not…hand
Job 2:1-7 – He is in thine hand; but save his life

B. God rules over the entire world:

Dan.4:17 – The most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, & giveth it to whomsoever He will
Dan.4:34,35 – He doeth according to His will…& none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou?
Psa.24:1 – The earth is the Lord’s (See also Acts 17:24)
Psa.89:11 – The heavens are Thine, the earth also is Thine
Job 41:11 – Whatsoever is under the whole heaven is Mine

C. But, within limitations, He allows the devil to rule it:

Jer.27:5 – I (God) have made the earth…& have given it to whom it seemed meet (appropriate) unto Me
Lk.4:5,6 – All the kingdoms of the world…all this power & the glory of them…is delivered unto me (Satan)
Jn.12:31 – The prince of this world (See also Jn.14:30; 16:11.)
2Cor.4:4 – The god of this world
Eph.2:2 – Prince of the power of the air

D. The devil rules over the fallen angels:

(See Mat.12:24; Lk.11:15; Rev.12:3,4,7-9.)

3. VICTORY OVER THE DEVIL:

A. God’s power is much greater than the devil’s:

1Jn.4:4 – Greater is He(Jesus) that is in you than he (the devil) that is in the world
Lk.10:17 – The devils are subject unto us through Thy name
Lk.10:19 – I give unto you power..over all the power of the enemy: & nothing shall…hurt you
Phi.2:9-11 – At the name of Jesus every knee should bow
Jam.2:19 – Thou believest that there is one God; the devils also believe, & tremble
(See also Zech.3:2; Jude 9.)

B. Jesus defeated the devil:

1Jn.3:8 – The Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil
Heb.2:14 – Through death He (destroyed) him that had the power of death, that is, the devil
Col.2:15 – Spoiling principalities & powers…triumphing over them
Lk.10:18 – I saw Satan fall as lightning from Heaven

C. Jesus ‘ power to exorcise (cast out) demons:

Mat.8:16 – He cast out the (devils) with His Word
Mat.9:32,33 – When the devil was cast out, the dumb spake
Mat.12:22 – One possessed with a devil…& (Jesus) healed him
Mat.12:28 – I cast out devils by the Spirit of God
Mk.1:34,39 – He cast out many devils; & suffered not (did not allow) the devils to speak
Lk.4:33-36 – With authority & power He commandeth unclean spirits
Lk.9:42 – Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, & healed the child
Lk.8:27-33 – [Jesus rebuked Legion; the devils went into the herd of swine] (See also Mk.5:1-15)
Acts 10:38 – Jesus…(healed) all that were oppressed of the devil
(See also Mk.1:23-17; 7:25-30; 9:17-27.)

D. Jesus gave His disciples power over the devil:

Mat.10:1 – He gave them (His disciples) power against unclean spirits, to cast them out
Lk.9:1 – He…gave them power & authority over all devils
Acts 5:16 – There came [to the disciples] them which were vexed with unclean spirits: & they were healed every one
Rom.16:20 – The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet
(See also Acts 8:6,7; 19:11,12; 26:17,18.)

E. Jesus gives all believers power over the devil including you:

Mk.16:17 – These signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils
Lk.9:49,50 – We saw one casting out devils in Thy name [It wasn't only the apostles who had this power]
Jn.14:12 – He that believeth on Me, the works I do shall he do also
1Jn.2:14b – The Word of God abideth in you & ye have overcome the wicked one

4. THE SPIRITUAL WARFARE:

A. Our war against the devil:

2Cor.10:3-5 – The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God
Eph.6:10,11 – Be strong…put on armour…stand against the devil
Eph.6:12,13 – We wrestle…against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness…withstand
(See also 1Sam.16:23; Rev.12:7,17.)

B. Be on guard against & resist & defy the devil:

1Pet.5:8 – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walketh about, seeking whom he may devour
1Pet.5:9 – Resist (the devil) stedfast in the faith
Eph.4:27 – Neither give place to the devil
Mat.4:10 – Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only
Mk.8:33 – Get thee behind [away from] me, Satan

C. Promises to claim when fighting & overcoming the devil:

Isa.59:19b – When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him
Mat.16:19 – Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound
Lk.10:19 – I give unto you power…over all the power of enemy
Rom.16:20 – The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet
Jam.4:7 – Resist the devil, & he will flee from you
1Jn.2:14 – Ye are strong, & the Word of God abideth in you, & ye have overcome the wicked one
1Jn.4:4 – Greater is He (Jesus) that is in you, than he (the devil) that is in the world

D. Be prepared for battle when confronting the devil:

Mat.12:29 – How can one enter into a strong man’s house…except he first bind the strong man?
Mk.9:29 – This kind can come forth (only) by prayer & fasting
Acts 19:13-17 – [Seven sons of Sceva attempted exorcism without being full of Jesus themselves, & met disastrous results]

E. United prayer for deliverance of the oppressed:

Mat.18:19,20 – If two of you shall agree…ask, it shall be done
Eccl.4:9-12 – Two are better than one

F. They must get filled up with Jesus & Word once they’re delivered; or they may end up worse than they were at first:

Lk.11:24-26 – Unclean spirit, gone out of a man [returns to him, finds him empty, & re-enters with 7 other spirits]
(See also Mat.12:43-45a)

5. THE DEVIL’S DEVICES:

A. Don’t be ignorant of the devil’s devices:

Gen.3:1a – The serpent was more subtil than any beast
2Cor.2:11 – Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices
Eph.6:11 – Stand against the wiles of the devil

B. The devil is a liar & deceiver:

Gen.3:1b – [Creates doubt of Word:] Yea, hath God said?
Jn.8:44b – For he is a liar, and the father of it
Acts 5:1-4 – Satan filled…heart to lie to the Holy Ghost
2Cor.11:3 – As serpent beguiled Eve…so your minds be corrupted
2Cor.11:13,14 – Satan…transformed into an angel of light (See also 2Thes.2:9-11)
1Jn.4:1,3 – Beloved, believe not every spirit (See also 1Tim.4:1.)
Rev.12:9 – The devil, Satan, which deceiveth the whole world

C. The devil tries to turn men from salvation:

Mk.4:15 – When they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, & taketh away the Word (See Mat.13:19; Lk.8:12.)
Acts 13:8,10 – Elymas…child of the devil (sought) to turn away the deputy from the faith
2Cor.4:4 – The (devil) hath blinded the minds of (unbelievers) lest light of the gospel…should shine unto them

D. “The hinderer”:

Zech.3:1 – Satan standing at his right hand to resist him
1Thes.2:18 – We would have come…but Satan hindered us

E. Specific “devices” to be on guard against:

Mat.16:21-23 – [Leads men to contradict & doubt truth. Ex. of Peter]
Jn.13:2 – Devil, having put into the heart of Judas…to betray
Acts 13:10 – Child of devil…not (ceasing) to pervert right ways
1Cor.14:33 – For God is not the author of confusion
Col.1:13 – Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness
2Tim.1:7 – For God hath not given us the spirit of fear
1Jn.3:10 – [Hatred:] Children of devil…loveth not his brother

6. ACCUSER & TEMPTER:

A. Satan tempts men to sin:

(See Gen.3:1-6; 1Chr.21:1-3,7,8; Mat.4:3-9; 1Cor.7:5; Lk.4:1-13)

B. The devil is the accuser, like a prosecuting attorney:

Rev.12:10 – The accuser of our brethren…which accused them before our God day & night
Job 1:6 – The sons of God came….before the Lord, & Satan came also [Note: "Satan" means "accuser"]

C. Jesus is our advocate, like a defense attorney:

1Jn.2:1 – If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous
Rom.8:34 – Who is he that condemneth? Christ…at the right hand of God, maketh intercession for us
Heb.9:24 – Christ is…entered…into Heaven, to appear in the presence of God for us (See also 1Tim.2:5)

7. THE DEVIL IS A DESTROYER:

A. He causes bondage, snares & oppression:

(See Lk.8:29b; Acts 10:38; Rom.8:15; 1Tim.3:7; 2Tim.2:26.)

B. Disease:

(See Job 2:7; Lk.13:11,12,16; 2Cor.12:7.)

C. And destruction:

(See Jn.8:44a; Heb.2:14; 1Pet.5:8,9.)

D. God sometimes uses the devil to punish the disobedient:

(See 1Sam.16:14; 1Cor.5:5; 1Tim.1:20.)

E. Satan seeks to subvert the saints:

Job 1:8-11 – Doth Job fear God for nought? Put forth Thine hand
Job 2:3-5 – Put forth Thine hand…& he will curse Thee
Lk.22:31 – Satan hath desired to…sift thee as wheat

8. JUDGMENT OF THE DEVIL & HIS DEMONS, & FINAL END:

A. Some are bound, awaiting judgement:

2Pet.2:4 – Angels that sinned…into chains of darkness
Jude 6 – Reserved in everlasting chains unto judgment

B. Apparently most are still loose, their time not yet come:

Mat.8:28,29 – Art Thou come hither to torment us before the time?

C. Devil not yet cast out of Heaven; has access to throne:

Job 1:6; 2:1 – Sons of God…before God, & Satan among them
Rev.12:10 – Which accused them before God day & night
Rev.12:7-9, 13,14 – [The devil completely cast out of Heaven at the beginning of the last 3-1/2 years, in the time of the end]

D. Devil will be bound 1,000 years in God’s prison:

Rev.20:1-3,7, 10 – [Satan bound 1,000 years, afterward released for a short time before being thrown into lake of fire]

E. Devil & his demons finally thrown into lake of fire:

Mat.25:41 – Everlasting fire prepared for devil & his angels
Rev.20:10 – The devil was cast into the lake of fire & brimstone

9. YOUR ARMOUR & WEAPONRY TO DEFEAT THE DEVIL:

A. Your spiritual armour:

Eph.6:11,13 – Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil
Rom.13:12 – Let us cast off the works of darkness, & let us put on the armour of light
2Cor.6:7 – The armour of righteousness on the right hand & on the left

B. Your mighty shield:

Eph.6:16 – Take the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked
Psa.91:4 – His truth shall be thy shield & buckler
Psa.3:3 – Thou, O Lord, art a shield for me (See also Psa.28:7; 33:20; 115:9; 144:2; Pro.30:5.)

C. Your invincible sword of the Spirit:

Eph.6:17 – Take…the sword of the Spirit…the Word of God
Heb.4:12 – The Word of God is…quick(alive) & powerful, & sharper than any two-edged sword

D. Your breastplate:

Eph.6:14 – Stand…having on the breastplate of righteousness (See also Isa.59:17)
1Thes.5:8 – Let us…put on the breastplate of faith & love

E. Your impenetrable helmet:

Eph.6:17 – Take the helmet of salvation
1Thes.5:8 – Let us…put on for an helmet, the hope of salvation

10. POWER, FREEDOM & DELIVERANCE FROM THE DEVIL’S DARKNESS:

A. God gives us overcoming power:

Lk.10:19 – I give you power over all the power of the enemy
Eph.3:16 – That He would grant you…to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man
2Tim.1:7 – God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, & of love, & of a sound mind

B. Freedom from the devil’s snares & bondage:

Psa.91:3 – He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler
Psa.124:7 – Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, & we are escaped
Pro.14:27 – Fear of the Lord [helps] depart from snares of death
2Cor.3:17 – Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty
2Tim.2:25,26 – Acknowledging of the truth…that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil

C. Delivered into God’s glorious Kingdom of light:

Acts 26:18 – Open their eyes…turn them from darkness to light, from the power of Satan unto God
Col.1:12,13 – Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness… partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light

D. The devil cannot separate us from God:

Rom.8:38,39 – Neither angels, nor powers…nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from…Christ Jesus
1Pet.1:5 – Who are kept by the power of God…unto salvation

11. OUR ASTONISHING ANGELIC ALLIES, THE HOSTS OF HEAVEN:

A. They outnumber the devil’s forces two to one:

2Ki.6:16,17 – They that be with us are more than they that be with them…mountain was full of…chariots of fire
Rev.12:3,4 – (Satan’s) tail drew the third part of the stars (angels)
(See also Rev.5:11)

B. Their fantastic flaming weapons:

Gen.3:24 – Cherubims & a flaming sword, which turned every way
2Ki.6:17 – The mountain was full of horses & chariots of fire round about Elisha
(See also Num.22:23; 1Chr.21:16.)

C. They battle against & defeat the devil:

Rev.12:7-9 – Michael & his angels fought against…the (devil) & his angels [& the devil's forces were defeated]

21. Overcoming The Devil, Copyright © 1998-2012, The Family International