Satan’s Defeat

From The Triumph by James Goll on YouVersion

Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. – 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 ESV

In 2 Corinthians 2:10-11, the apostle Paul warns of the devil’s plans to outsmart us. Outwit is the term the New International Version uses, and the New American Standard Bible translates verse 11 like this: “so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan.” Let’s not be ignorant of his tactics to cheat or defraud by deception. Paul also uses the word schemes, meaning “a method” (see Ephesians 6:11). Our enemy is extremely methodical in his approach, wearing us down with cunning strategies.

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. – Matthew 4:1-11 ESV

When the devil tempted Jesus (see Matthew 4:1–11), he used the Word of God and twisted it. Thankfully, Jesus knew the truth, so He wasn’t fooled. We must know the Word of God because the enemy knows the Bible too. I wonder sometimes if the devil reads the Bible more than we do! If he twisted the Word while tempting Jesus, we must assume he will try the same scheme with us.

The Bible is clear: Jesus came to earth to destroy the works of the devil. The key to the believer’s triumph in spiritual warfare is knowing what Jesus Christ has already accomplished through His life, ministry, death, and resurrection. Jesus invites us to pray from a victorious mindset, not work our way toward one.

“The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8. How did He do this? First, by coming to earth! His presence on earth changed everything, revealing God’s glory through his life and ministry. Jesus also destroyed the works of the devil by living God’s Word: He used the Word and relied on the Word.

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. – Colossians 2:13-15 ESV

Satan seeks to keep men and women living in their sin, under its penalty, held in bondage to its power, and suffering mental and emotional defeat from its’ guilty accusations. Christ’s death on the cross secured redemption from sin and its guilt and destroyed the devil’s works.

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, – Hebrews 2:14 ESV

Almighty Father, I exalt the Lord Jesus Christ. He indeed is worthy of my praise, adoration, and worship. I’m amazed at His humility when He emptied Himself, took on the form of a servant, became an ordinary man, and lived a sinless life. He was obedient even unto death, and on the cross died the death of a criminal, which He did not deserve. But death could not hold Him.
Jesus is triumphant and has conquered Satan, death, hell, and the kingdom of darkness. I stand in that victory today and declare with the heavenly host, “Glory to God in the highest. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, who is, and is to come!” Amen and amen.