How to resist the devil

Most Christians have these problems in resisting the devil. We know that the devil is like a roaring lion looking weak Christian to devour, but sometimes even a strong one could be devoured. The temptation is anywhere it may manifest in every possible thing, time and even situation. Many preachers say that ‘temptation is not a sin’ however, if we yield to temptation than we could actually tell that temptation drags us into sinning. And now that’s a problem, the devil could be victorious on his journey in devouring us.

Recognize the attacks of the Devil.

The first thing we need to know is what would be the possible attacks could the devil may

One famous situation in the bible (that shows us how the devil devoured his victims) is in the book of Genesis – Adam and his wife Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis Chapter 2-3). In that particular situation when God ordered them not to eat the fruit of knowledge, Adam and his wife followed the instruction of the Lord until the devil tried to attack them. In the 3rd chapter, we can clearly tell that that the devil is capable to insert his motives, intentions, lies and even his power in our mind – for he convinced them and let them eat the forbidden fruit. Since then the devil is not capable of attacking us physically but he attacks us mentally and spiritually. Thoughts, our carnal thoughts might bring us into the trap and devour us.

Thoughts – it could be dangerous. We must be certain in yielding our thoughts; these might bring us sinning against God. And there are no temptations, if there are no evil thoughts running in our mind.

In James 4th chapter, verse 7 – ‘Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.’ This is a powerful verse that urges us to submit ourselves to God and resist the devil. After recognizing the attacks of the devil we must learn how to counter it.

Resist, fight ware the whole armour and draw the sword.

So now let’s learn to resist the call of the devil in our minds; let’s fight and proclaim to ourselves that God is the victor our lives. Start putting on the whole armor of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. That’s why we need the whole armor of God so we can stand tall in all evil days.

No wonder why the Apostle Paul clearly wrote ‘put on the WHOLE ARMOUR of God’ is because for us to have the total defense. Surely the devil can attack us in every part of our life; doing his best to devour us and leads us astray. That’s why we need the WHOLE ARMOUR, neither just parts nor one of it but the WHOLE!

Use the WORD

Another way of resisting the devil is through using the Word of God.

Another famous situation in the bible, in Matthew the 4th chapter – when Jesus fasted forty days and forty nights – the devil was present trying to tempt Jesus in so many ways.

Jesus and the devil conversation:

Devil: If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.

Jesus: It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeded out of the mouth of God. (Matt. 4:4 quoted from Deuteronomy 8:3)

Then the devil taketh him into the holy city; and he set him on the pinnacle of the temple.

Devil: If thou art the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and, on their hands they shall bear thee up, lest haply thou dash thy foot against a stone. (Matt. 4:6 quoted from Psalms 91:11-12)

Jesus: Again it is written, Thou shalt not make trial of the Lord thy God. (Matt. 4:7 quoted from Deuteronomy 6:16)

Again, the devil taketh him unto an exceeding high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

Devil: All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

Jesus: Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Then the devil leaveth him; and behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

It was a quite short conversation between our Lord Jesus and Satan, but it gives us a very effective way in resisting the devil. If you could notice when Jesus answered Him always use ‘it is written, ’ that mean He is quoting up from the written word of God – now it is known “The Holy Bible” – to resist the devil.

But here’s the interesting part of the conversation, the devil quoted some parts of the bible too – on his second attempt of tempting the Lord. Whoa? What’s the catch? What does it mean? This means that the devil has knowledge of the scriptures too; he even believed there is only one God and trembled. In some point or some understanding it is not enough to take down a devil with a single memory verse. So in this case we must have more memory verse than the devil if we want to resist him. For the word of God is not of the devil, it is for us to grow in faith; to build our integrity; to know what is right and wrong; and help us to resist from evil and more.

So now resisting the devil is hard, especially when we are unaware. I encourage you to read the bible, familiarize the books, memorize some chapters and verses and keep it in heart for this is the way King David did to depart from iniquities (Psalms 119:11 - Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.)

If we memorize more than five verses in the bible and not keeping it in our heart, we might be like a turtle without a shell on our back. So read the bible always and keep it in heart, pray every day and be victorious on our journey as Christians resisting the Devil. May God Bless us. J

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