James 4:7 and 1 Peter 5:9 both tell us to resist the devil; Ephesians 6:11-17 tells us how to do it:
Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Did you notice that nothing is said about rebuking, or binding, the devil? Nor was there any mention of taking authority over him? Have you ever wondered why? Here’s why — Peter, Paul and James believed that Jesus sacrificed Himself so that we might be reconciled to God, the Father. They each knew He was a perfect Savior, and that we need only have faith in Him and the Father will deliver us from all evil. Hence, ‘taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one,’.
Paul was saying we can ignore the railings of the devil by our faith in Jesus. He is the One in whom we believe; He is our intercessor before God; by faith in Him we resist the devil and submit ourselves to the Father through faith in His name.
By embracing truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, salvation and the word of God, we are able to resist the devil by faith in Jesus, our Savior.
Please weigh everything I say on the scales of the Word of God.
Jon David Banks, God’s most unworthy servant
jondavidbanks.com 