In the early days of our ministry, a well-known witch attended services in the church Sue and I were planting and leading in eastern Canada. Several people came to me concerned about the presence of this witch. They wondered if she was trying to work some spell or sorcery on our fledgling congregation.
Several of us met together to pray about the situation. While praying I saw a vision of smoke (representing the devil) and then a wind (representing the Spirit of God) that came along and blew the smoke away. The smoke had no substance or strength with which to resist the wind. It was suddenly gone.
At the very same time another person saw a similar vision and then a powerful, prophetic word came forth that gave me a new perspective on the devil. God said, “My power is so far surpassing any power possessed by the devil, he is not worthy of the attention you are giving him.” It seemed that God was not happy with the attention we were giving the devil.
Demons Love Attention
The late Judson Cornwall, pastor, author and Christian leader, told how that in the church he pastored he would go through a ritual at the beginning of each service in which he would bind all the demons and evil spirits and tell them they had no place in that service.
One day during a quiet time of prayer, he heard the Holy Spirit say, "Demons are coming from all over this region to be in your services." He was shocked and asked, "Why Lord?" He heard the Holy Spirit say, "Because you give them recognition."
Satan is a Defeated Foe
When it comes to spiritual warfare, we must realize that there was a tremendous shift that took place at the cross, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. Satan was not annihilated, but he was stripped of his authority. He is like a 5-star general who is court-martialed, stripped of his authority, and drummed out of the army.
The general still exists but no longer has any authority. If, however, the general puts on his uniform with all his military medals, he will be able to exercise authority over those who do know the truth of his court-martial. But for those who know the truth, even a private can tell the former general to “get lost.” So it is with even the newest babe in Christ.
The overwhelming victory of Christ over Satan is delineated by Paul in Ephesians 1:15-23. He speaks of Christ being raised from the dead by the mighty power of God and then being seated at His right hand in the heavenly places. The “right hand” in Scripture is symbolic of authority and power. Psalm 98:1, for example, says of God, His right hand and His holy arm have gotten Him the victory. When Paul says that Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God, he is saying that Jesus is seated at the pinnacle of the universe, in the place of ultimate authority and power.
This place where Christ is seated is far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come (Eph. 1:21). It doesn’t matter what kind of principality or power it may be–even Satan himself–the place where Christ is seated is far above them all.
And here is what is incredible! Paul says that the same power that raised Jesus from dead and seated Him in that place of ultimate authority, far above any power possessed by the devil, is now at work in you and me. No wonder Satan trembles at the child of God who knows his/her position and authority in Christ.
T.L. Osborn Understood Satan’s Defeat
I heard the elder statesman of modern, miracle evangelism, the late Dr. T.L. Osborn, tell about a miracle crusade his ministry sponsored in Africa. Among the many thousands that had gathered in the open air were hundreds of witch doctors who had come there with their fetishes to cast curses and spells on the foreign preacher.
Before going on the platform, the supporting pastors wanted to lay hands on him and pray for his protection from the devil. T. L. emphatically refused their prayer. He said, “I would not insult my Lord in that way.” T. L. focused his attention on preaching the good news of Jesus that day and many came to Christ and many were miraculously set free from all kinds of illnesses and bondages. And some Christian pastors realized that they did not have to be afraid of the devil.
This New and Better Covenant
Even under the Old Covenant the enemies of God could not cast spells and curses on His people. Balak hired the prophet Balaam to curse Israel but after seven attempts he had to admit he could not do it. How shall I curse whom God has not cursed, Balaam asked (Numbers 23:8).
If this were true under the Old Covenant, how much more under this new and better covenant based in the shed blood of Jesus Christ! Listen to the words of Jesus in response to the Seventy who returned rejoicing because they had discovered, Even the demons are subject to us in your name (Luke 10:17). Jesus replied,
I saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven. Behold I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt you (Luke 10:18-19).
We Must Know the Truth
With all the talk about witches, curses and hexes, it makes me wonder if the church in general knows the truth of Satan’s defeat. Too many Christians, it would seem, see God and Satan as almost equals, with God having a slight edge.
This, however, is a blatant lie that Satan, a created being, perpetrates on the unlearned and naïve. Satan was absolutely vanquished by the death and resurrection of Jesus. His defeat was absolute and final. He was not annihilated but stripped of all rights and authority.
This was clearly demonstrated by Jesus on resurrection morning when he walked out of the tomb and triumphantly declared, All authority is given unto Me in heaven and in earth (Matt. 28:19). If Jesus has all authority, how much does that leave the devil? Satan knows that he is whipped. God knows it. It is now time that the church discover this fact.
Dr. Eddie L. Hyatt is an
author, teacher and ordained minister and founder of the "1726 Project." This Project is based on his book, 1726: The Year that Defined America, which documents how the Great Awakening (1726-70) gave birth to this nation and released the moral and spritual forces that ended slavery. His books can be found on Amazon and his website at www.eddiehyatt.com
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