TEXT:

‘You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror’ (James 2:19 NLT).

In Part 1, we studied three key truths about the devil.

• Satan knows who Jesus really is
• Satan knows he cannot go  beyond what God has allowed him to do
• Satan will know when his time of freedom is about to end

In Part 2, we will consider four more things Satan knows, and more importantly, Christians need to know that he knows them, for it will help them to stand strong in the times of testing and temptation.

4. Satan knows that when Christians resists him, he has to flee – ‘Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you’ (James 4:7)

So often illustrations depict Satan towering over the cowering Christian, but the truth is the complete opposite. By submitting to God, we can resist Satan and he has to flee from us.

Christians talk up the devil and talk down their God and themselves as believers, when they should do the reverse.

Having had an unpleasant and frightening experience of an evil spirit when showing an interest in spiritualism (just a few weeks before I became a Christian), I was fearful of the devil, until I realised who I am in Christ.

It’s strange but true that many Christians end up fearing the lesser (Satan) because they do not reverence enough the greater (Jesus). ‘O magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together’ (Psalm 34:3).

5. Satan knows he has been disarmed by Jesus – ‘When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities [those supernatural forces of evil operating against us], He made a public example of them [exhibiting them as captives in His triumphal procession], having triumphed over them through the cross’ (Colossians 2:15 AMP)

Just like a Roman general triumphantly returning to Rome with all the enemy disarmed and in chains, so Jesus, through the cross, has defeated and disarmed Satan as far as the Christian is concerned.

The Bible says, ‘We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments’ (2 Corinthians 10:4 NLT).

Satan has been disarmed but we have been armed with all the protective armour and a shield of faith in one hand and the sword of the Spirit in the other (See Ephesians 6:10-18). Faith in this truth helps us to exercise our superiority over Satan through Christ.

We don’t have to fear an enemy with no weapons, but we must be on our guard, for Satan uses accusation, imagination and deception instead.

6. Satan knows he has no power to nullify the authority of the name of Jesus – ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name’ (Luke 10:17)

‘Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour’ (Acts 16:18).

I am sure the disciples were more confident and successful at casting out demons when Jesus was with them, but they had to learn to do it in His absence.

His leaving message before ascending into heaven was, ‘In My name they will cast out demons’ (Mark 16:18). ‘Tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high’ (Luke 24:48).

The disciples obediently waited and were rewarded with God’s power and authority through the Holy Spirit and the name of Jesus. Then they went and evangelised to prove that Jesus really was alive.

There are no shortcuts for us today. If we want to see Biblical results, we must go about it in the Biblical way.

7. The devil may know our past but God chooses not to remember it – ‘The accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down’ (Revelation 12:10).

Satan wants to find fault with us, but God has blotted out the handwriting of recorded offences against our name, because of the blood of Jesus. Our past, present and even future actions don’t change God’s perspective, but Satan tries to use that knowledge to create fear, guilt and condemnation. He says, “God can’t bless you today because you said or did that yesterday”.

The truth is, God can’t just bless you today, because He has already blessed you with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus (See Ephesians 1:3). It’s up to you to claim your rights and privileges in Christ.

Christians will be disciplined by God, like any true, earthly father will do (See Hebrews 12:5-11), but He will never desert or disown us, however many mistakes we may make. How wonderful to think that God with His fore-knowledge knows about my sin – past present and future, but still chooses to love me because I am in Christ. Hallelujah!

When Satan tries to remind you of your past, why not remind him of his future? ‘The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever’ (Revelation20:10).

Let these truths lift your spirit for 2023. Yes it will be a tough year for many reasons, but facing it because you believe in Christ, will be a whole lot better than for someone who does not!