Silas
Beloved of All
Your prayer reflects a deep longing for the complete victory of Jesus Christ over every work of the enemy, and that longing is right and biblical.
Scripture shows that Satan is not the opposite of God. God is self existent and eternal, while Satan is a created being who fell through pride and rebellion. His very name means adversary. In the garden he came to Eve with the idea that God was not fair, that God was holding back something good for His own reasons. When Adam yielded to that suggestion and disobeyed God, he forfeited the authority God had given to humanity, and the world came under the influence of the enemy. That is why Jesus could speak of Satan as the prince of this world and why, when Satan told Jesus in the wilderness that the kingdoms of this world had been delivered to him and he could give them to whomever he wished, Jesus did not dispute the claim.
Satan then offered Jesus a compromise, a way to have the kingdoms without the cross. To avoid the suffering and accomplish God's purpose by another means. But Jesus did not take the shortcut. He went to the cross and paid the price to redeem the world, to buy back what had been lost, so that it might belong to God again. His resurrection is the proof of that redemption, the firstfruits of all who will rise.
Even though he is defeated at the cross, Satan is still active for a time as an accuser and adversary. Scripture pictures him presenting himself before the Lord among the sons of God, as he did in the days of Job. He had studied Job and formed a philosophy about him, that Job only served God for blessing, and he asked permission to test him. God set a clear limit, all that he has is in your power, only do not lay a hand on himself, and later, he is in your hand, but spare his life. This shows an important truth for you. Satan cannot do anything beyond what God permits. He goes to and fro in the earth, he watches and accuses, he points out flaws and failures and tries to drive you away from Jesus by whispering that you are not worthy to come to Him, that you might as well give up. His purpose in that condemnation is to separate you from the place of forgiveness and cleansing.
His final end is certain but not yet fully executed. Jesus taught that a place of judgment was prepared not for people but for the devil and his angels. There is also that place of confinement for evil spirits, the bottomless pit, where demonic powers are held. At the end of this age Satan will be shut away, and after the thousand years he and all who have chosen his rebellion will face final judgment. Until then God allows this present time to run its course, but always under His sovereign control.
Because you have been redeemed through Jesus Christ and born again, you do not have to receive the enemy's harassment. When you recognize that a thought of accusation, fear, or confusion is an attack, you can refuse it. You can answer as Jesus answered in the wilderness, with the written Word of God. It is written, man shall not live by bread alone. It is written. The Word is your defense. And you can rejoice that God has given you His Spirit and His power to stand.
So in response to your request, let us pray together.
Lord Jesus Christ, we thank You that You alone are God and that the adversary is a defeated, created being who has no authority over You. Thank You for going to the cross and paying the full price to redeem us. We ask now that You silence the voice of the accuser over this life. Where there is accusation, bring Your assurance of forgiveness. Where there are schemes or influences, whether direct or indirect, we ask You to halt them according to Your sovereign will and set Your limits around them as You did for Job. Guard this heart and mind by Your Word and by Your Spirit, teach how to recognize the attack, to refuse it in Your name, and to rejoice in Your redemption. Fill this life with Your peace, keep it close to You, and let Your Word be the daily answer to every lie. We trust Your present power and Your final victory, when every work of the devil will be ended forever. In Jesus name, amen.
Continue to stay in the Scriptures daily, bring every accusing thought to Jesus, and remember that though the enemy may assail you, you have been redeemed and you belong to Christ.
Scripture shows that Satan is not the opposite of God. God is self existent and eternal, while Satan is a created being who fell through pride and rebellion. His very name means adversary. In the garden he came to Eve with the idea that God was not fair, that God was holding back something good for His own reasons. When Adam yielded to that suggestion and disobeyed God, he forfeited the authority God had given to humanity, and the world came under the influence of the enemy. That is why Jesus could speak of Satan as the prince of this world and why, when Satan told Jesus in the wilderness that the kingdoms of this world had been delivered to him and he could give them to whomever he wished, Jesus did not dispute the claim.
Satan then offered Jesus a compromise, a way to have the kingdoms without the cross. To avoid the suffering and accomplish God's purpose by another means. But Jesus did not take the shortcut. He went to the cross and paid the price to redeem the world, to buy back what had been lost, so that it might belong to God again. His resurrection is the proof of that redemption, the firstfruits of all who will rise.
Even though he is defeated at the cross, Satan is still active for a time as an accuser and adversary. Scripture pictures him presenting himself before the Lord among the sons of God, as he did in the days of Job. He had studied Job and formed a philosophy about him, that Job only served God for blessing, and he asked permission to test him. God set a clear limit, all that he has is in your power, only do not lay a hand on himself, and later, he is in your hand, but spare his life. This shows an important truth for you. Satan cannot do anything beyond what God permits. He goes to and fro in the earth, he watches and accuses, he points out flaws and failures and tries to drive you away from Jesus by whispering that you are not worthy to come to Him, that you might as well give up. His purpose in that condemnation is to separate you from the place of forgiveness and cleansing.
His final end is certain but not yet fully executed. Jesus taught that a place of judgment was prepared not for people but for the devil and his angels. There is also that place of confinement for evil spirits, the bottomless pit, where demonic powers are held. At the end of this age Satan will be shut away, and after the thousand years he and all who have chosen his rebellion will face final judgment. Until then God allows this present time to run its course, but always under His sovereign control.
Because you have been redeemed through Jesus Christ and born again, you do not have to receive the enemy's harassment. When you recognize that a thought of accusation, fear, or confusion is an attack, you can refuse it. You can answer as Jesus answered in the wilderness, with the written Word of God. It is written, man shall not live by bread alone. It is written. The Word is your defense. And you can rejoice that God has given you His Spirit and His power to stand.
So in response to your request, let us pray together.
Lord Jesus Christ, we thank You that You alone are God and that the adversary is a defeated, created being who has no authority over You. Thank You for going to the cross and paying the full price to redeem us. We ask now that You silence the voice of the accuser over this life. Where there is accusation, bring Your assurance of forgiveness. Where there are schemes or influences, whether direct or indirect, we ask You to halt them according to Your sovereign will and set Your limits around them as You did for Job. Guard this heart and mind by Your Word and by Your Spirit, teach how to recognize the attack, to refuse it in Your name, and to rejoice in Your redemption. Fill this life with Your peace, keep it close to You, and let Your Word be the daily answer to every lie. We trust Your present power and Your final victory, when every work of the devil will be ended forever. In Jesus name, amen.
Continue to stay in the Scriptures daily, bring every accusing thought to Jesus, and remember that though the enemy may assail you, you have been redeemed and you belong to Christ.
