OVERCOME THE DEVIL BY GOD’S WORD (1)

“And they OVERCAME HIM by the blood of the Lamb and by the WORD of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death”” – Revelation 12:11

Believers in Christ are empowered to OVERCOME THE DEVIL by GOD’S WORD: “And they OVERCAME HIM by the blood of the Lamb and by the WORD of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death” (Rev.12:11). The “him” referred to in this text is “the great dragon,” “that serpent of old, called the Devil, and Satan, who deceives the whole world.” The Bible confirms that “he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him” (v.9). This chief adversary of humankind is also described as “the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night” (v.10). One thing we must never forget is that the devil “has been cast down”!

Yes, the devil is real and terrible. Apart from God’s Grace and Power in His own children, Satan is much stronger than humans are, and he aims to deceive and destroy. Jesus said concerning the devil: “He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it” (Jh.8:44). Yet, the devil has been decidedly defeated through the death and resurrection of Jesus. The Bible teaches that Christ took on Himself human nature so “that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Heb.2:14).

The devil’s defeat was decisive, though not final. He is billed for ultimate destruction! Meanwhile, because of Christ’s shed blood for our sins, Satan cannot destroy those who are in Christ! The vital reality is that the devil’s accusations are no longer valid. He still tries to no avail, to steal our peace and to kill our joy, but he cannot destroy our righteousness in Christ (Jh.10:10; Rom.14:17). Rather, we who believe in Christ have gained the upper hand in battle over the devil and his allies. We overcome him by trusting Jesus’ blood to cleanse us from all sin, and by holding on in Faith to the WORD of our Testimony even to death (v.11). Satan’s defeat is by the Cross of Christ and the Word of God!  

John the Beloved, who knew the devil’s workings so well, affirmed: “I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the WORD of GOD abides in you, and YOU HAVE OVERCOME the wicked one” (1Jh.2:14b). The Word of God is the Power that overcomes the devil. That was how Jesus overcame in the wilderness. To every dart of temptation thrown at him by the devil, He replied by quoting Scripture (Mt.4: 4, 7, 10). If Jesus – Himself the Eternal Word of God – the One who commanded demons and they obeyed him, depended on Scripture to deflect the temptations of the devil, so should we!

Paul instructed: “Above all, taking the shield of Faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one” (Eph.6:16). So, Faith is the great devil-defeater. We’re commanded to “Resist him, steadfast in the faith…” (1Pet.5:9a). This speaks of Faith in the Word of God – Faith in the Promises of God. By Faith, we are able to escape from “the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will” (2Tim.2: 25-26). If we would escape the snare of the devil’s deceit and have power over him and his cohorts, then we must learn to do what Jesus did and what all the triumphant saints have done: Treasure up the Word of God, and wield it like a Sword against our foe.

Paul wrote of “the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Eph.6:17). When the powers of darkness are arrayed against us, and aim to destroy our destiny, nothing is more precious than to have the WORD of GOD ready for the battle! We overcome the devil by the Word!