How to Stand Against the Devil’s Schemes

10/28/21 – 10/31/21

Keep Satan Fleeing

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  10/28/21

In Matthew 8:28-34, Jesus entered the region of Gadarenes and confronted two demon-possessed men. Upon seeing Jesus, the demons in the men cried out, “What do you want with us, Son of God? . . . Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” (v. 29). The word torture here means “consign to eternal punishment.”

These demons stood face to face with Jesus Christ. They recognized that He was their judge and that they were eternally condemned.

Revelation 12:12 states: “Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”

No wonder the apostle Paul could say in 2 Corinthians 2:14, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession . . .” On the cross, Jesus made salvation possible through the shedding of His blood. He came forth as the victor so that you might walk in His triumph. Christ not only saves you from the condemnation of sin but also protects you from the onslaught of the evil one.

When you are undergoing a satanic attack—whether temptation, oppression, depression, or apathy—ask the Lord to minister His Truth to you. Your victory is not based on your earthly accomplishments, ancestry, or authority. Your victory is based on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

God has called you to cover yourself with the armor of God so that you can stand against the devil’s schemes (see Ephesians 6:10-20). He has called you to stand in His strength against Satan’s attack, believing what the Word of God says about your victory. For, when you resist the devil and he flees from you, heaven rejoices.

Prayer: Father, today I put on Your armor to protect me from Satan’s attacks. You have won the victory. You are my Savior, and I rejoice in Your victory over death for me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Resist [Satan], standing firm in the faith” (1 Peter 5:9)