Strategies for Victory
Our enemy, the devil, wants to discourage us by making us doubt God’s Word. We have to realize that our enemy has already been defeated by Jesus and has no real power over us. However, we need to be aware and use some strategies against his schemes.
Our Defeated Enemy
What does the devil try to do?
(10) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
(13) Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable?
(14) The farmer sows the word.
(15) Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.
(4) The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
(16) In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Why should we be confident that the devil cannot hurt us?
(19) I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
(9) Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything.
(10) Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake,
(11) in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
Standing Your Ground
From the following verses, what can we do to stand our ground against the devil?
(7) Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
(8) Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
(8) Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
(10) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
(11) Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
(12) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
(13) Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
(14) Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
(15) and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
(16) In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
(17) Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
(18) And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
(1) Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
(2) After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
(3) The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
(4) Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
(5) Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.
(6) “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ ”
(7) Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”
(8) Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.
(9) “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
(10) Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ ”
(11) Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
What was Jesus’ strategy for fighting the enemy’s temptation?
Fighting the Good Fight
1 Timothy 1:18 (NIV)
(18) Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well,
1 Timothy 6:11-12 (NIV)
(11) But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
(12) Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
What advice did Paul have for Timothy about fighting?
(4) You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Why should we feel confident of victory?
(24) Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
(25) Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
(26) Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.
(27) No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
What kind of discipline and training will help you in your fight against Satan?
Ask a Friend
- Can you share a story of fighting against Satan?
- Can you share a story of standing your ground?
- Do you have any other questions about the devil?
Application
- What is one area in which you are having to stand your ground now? How will you do it?
- What is one thing that you have to fight the enemy in now? How will you do it?
Prayer Model
Thank You Jesus that You give me victories in my life. I stand my ground in this area of my life: __________. And I come against the devil in this area: __________ and I know that I can overcome by the power of Jesus’ name, Amen.
Key Verse
“For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.”
