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A PLAN TO RESIST THE DEVIL
James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
We must have a plan to resist the devil and all of his attempts to trick us from our destiny and divine appointment.
First we have to be aware and honest about our weaknesses. In other words we must be honestly aware. That first means that we have to come to grips with who and what we are. This is sometimes, one of the most difficult realities to except. We do not want to admit or acknowledge our shortcomings. We hid and live in a facade of who we would like to be, instead of saying what we are so that we can become what God wants us to be.
Every time the enemy attacks, we must be ready to counter. And I mean, counter on the offense not just the defense. The question is what do we counter with. There are two things that the devil is most aware and afraid of. And those thing are
1. The Word
2. The Name of Jesus
When you speak the word to his attacks, you begin to assert an authority that was set in place since the beginning of time
John 1:1 State, “In the beginning was the word…”.
Proverbs 4:20-22 20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. 21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. 22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health F14 to all their flesh
The word is so powerful that when Jesus was tempted by the Satan he did not come up with some great new philosophical truth, He went back to the written word of God. The word of God became his weapon of defense and offense.
Jesus, stated, “satan for it is written”,
Matt 4:4,7,10
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt F7 the Lord thy God.
10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
In verse (4) When you see the word PROCEEDETH, it is not in pass tense, it is a present reality. God’s word is presently doing a work in the earth and your life, NOW. His word is ALIVE, ABLE, and CAPABLE. We have to get that word in our mouth, not just in our minds. We have to speak to the challenges of our life with the word of GOD. I mean open your mouth and say something.
Next, THE NAME OF JESUS
When you use the name of Jesus, we know that name, above all other names carries power. When the seven sons of Sceva attempted to cast the demons out of the mad man, they replied Jesus we know, and Paul we know, but who are you. The devil and his angles knew the power that Jesus possessed without him having to say a word. When another demon possessed boy, who other people could not control, came into the presence of Jesus, the demons acknowledged Jesus before he said a word, and then begged to be allowed to leave the boy. Jesus did not cast the demons out, he gave them permission to leave.
We as believers and joint heirs, with Christ, have a right to use his name. As one book states, Jesus has given us power of attorney. The privilege of invoking his presence, power and influence by merely speaking his name.
So when we combine the word of God with the name of Jesus, we become spiritual conquerors. We tear down all strongholds through the word of God and the name of Jesus. We effectuate the will of God through the authority of Jesus’ name.
Peter healed a man who had been lame all of his life, and when he healed him, it was by the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus’ name is the fuse that ignites the awesome power of the word of God.
In Acts 4:29-30 “Lord.. grant unto the servants, that with all boldness they may speak your word, by stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders my be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
However, there is great responsibility with using the name of Jesus. When Peter did not heed the warning of the high priest, to not use the name of Jesus. He and his followers were beaten.
Acts 5: 41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
So the question is, “Are you willing to except the cost that can come with the privilege of using the name of Jesus.
If the answer is yes, let’s put this to work, RIGHT NOW!!!. Repeat after me!! Start everything with
“IN THE NAME OF JESUS”
Devil Says: You are no Good
You Say: 2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Devil Says: Worry
You Say: 1 Peter 5:6-7
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Devil Says: You are defeated
You Say: Isaiah 54:17
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.
Devil Says: You are Weak
You Say: Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Devil Says: You are alone
You Say: Psalms118:6
The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
Devil Says: You are not Saved
You Say : 1 John 5:11-12
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
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