Most of us are familiar with the instruction in James 4:7 - Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. How many of us, however, understand what it means to resist the devil? And if satan met us face to face, would you know what to do?
Our Savior, Jesus Christ, gives us a key example we can all emulate in the effort to set the devil aflight and keep it away. In Matthew 4:10, the Son of God said the following, "Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Those words are a crucial weapon in every believer's arsenal. And when coupled with scripture, the devil has no comeback. Just as it did with Jesus, it will back off.
There's also Jude 1:9 - But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (NIV).
Another instance where the devil was pushed back was in Zechariah 3:2 - The angel of the LORD said to Satan, "May the LORD condemn you, Satan! May the LORD, who loves Jerusalem, condemn you. This man is like a stick snatched from the fire." (GNT).
Consider that same verse in a few other Bible versions -
But the LORD said, "Satan, you are wrong. Jerusalem is my chosen city, and this man was rescued like a stick from a flaming fire." (CEV).
The LORD said to Satan, "I, the LORD, silence you, Satan! I, the LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, silence you! Isn't this man like a burning log snatched from a fire?" (GWT).
Why is it important to know how to command the devil to back off? Because the devil is constantly attacking God's children and usually in ways they cannot readily recognize. Nevertheless, we have to be ready with God's word to rebuke satan each time it takes a step against us. And how does it do this? By whispering slick lies to us. You woke up inspired to do something and suddenly, a thought slips into your mind suggesting that your efforts won't count. That nothing you do will work. And suddenly, your enthusiasm dims. Or, it throws arrows to block a person's path in an attempt to keep them from succeeding. Their car breaks down. They lose their phone. The person they need to speak to is mysteriously absent or busy.
Whichever way the devil tries to attack, the children of God are well-armed to resist it and send it fleeing. He has given us scripture for this very reason. Our Father opened His mouth and spoke against satan. So must we. Jesus wasn't quiet when the devil repeatedly tried to tempt Him and we can't be either. We must pronounce the word of God and tell satan to back off. We must declare the word of God, just as Jesus did when He resisted the devil three times in the wilderness.
And there's something else we have to do. We must submit ourselves to God as James 4:7 states. We must therefore choose to live righteously, putting sin behind us in order to live the way God wants. It is the way we live our life that speaks the loudest in resisting the devil and causing it to flee. Let us take it one day at a time, trusting the Lord to build us up and make us deadly weapons for His earthly ministry who terrify hell itself. The Lord will help us because His plan is to turn us into vessels that give Him glory, IJN, Amen. Never forget, His glory rises upon us and we have authority in Christ. Hallelujah!
If you forgot about the numerous ways satan uses deceit to throw us off, now would be a good time to refresh your memory by reading the following,
CLOSING PRAYER
Heavenly Father! Thank You, once again, for this privilege to gather and offer worship and intercession up to You. Please take all the glory for none of this would be possible without You.
To You be all the praise, Lord.
Remember those who participated today. I call on You to cover them with Your grace and great love. May Your mercy find them and the blood of the Lamb speak for them in every situation. Elevate and distinguish them via Your Presence in their lives. Arm them Lord, at all times, with Your word that they may silence the devil when it uttera its lies. Lord, may Your blessings cover and surround Your children today and always, IJMN, Amen.
From MFC - Father God, thank you for blessing me with another trip around the sun. The years keep coming and I'm so glad they do. Lord, I give you all the praise and honor for keeping me this long. Almighty God. I know You as a healer, as a friend. You are my hiding place and my deliverance. For the rest of my days, I pray to grow closer to who You have called me to be in the name of Jesus. Amen!
LAST 10 MINUTES
Praise God for today's message. A lot of us forget that God has armed us with language in His word so as to tell satan to back off. We also forget that our very lives and the fruits they produce act as a means of making satan flee. If we pray regularly and do God's will, satan's weapons and words have less effect upon us. Let us pray for God's help on this matter.
Heavenly Father, thank You for teaching us and arming us so we can successfully resist satan and cause it to flee. God, we call on You to continue to fill our mouths with Your words so we resist satan verbally. We also call on You to hold us and help us to live in a way that our day to day existence reflects your glory and blocks the enemy at every turn. To You be all the glory and praise, IJMN, Amen.
Is there scripture you use when silencing the devil? How do you resist satan so it flees? Please be sure to share, for the word tells us that iron sharpens iron and it is by sharing His word that we are made stronger.
Almighty God, how great You are! You who have an everlasting dominion over all that we see and don't see. Praise be to You, my Lord!
Father, Your word tells us that with You nothing is impossible (Matthew 19:26). Indeed, the word tells us in 2 Kings 3:18 - This is an easy thing in the eyes of the LORD; he will also deliver Moab into your hands. With You, God, everything is a little thing.
And so, Jehovah Rapha, Jehovah Ropheka, the Great Physician, I declare that the enemy's evil plans for the health of Your children are rendered powerless. Indeed, the weapons used against their health destroy the enemy instead, IJMN, Amen.
Your word tells us to ask that we receive (Matthew 7:7-8) and to come before Your throne boldly to receive help (Hebrews 4:16). I therefore proclaim healing over Your Peppers. You know who they are. Remember them for honoring You with praise and petition on behalf of others, for in this they gave freely. You cannot forget the good they have done for others and continue to do according to Hebrews 6:10.
IJMN, Amen.
From BI - Heavenly Father, I pray for regions affected by conflict. Violence and hatred are contrary to Your Word and Will. You came so we may have life and have it in abundance. Lord, I pray that all hostilities are brought to an end and replaced with long lasting peace. I pray homes, communities and businesses are rebuilt so Your children can live in harmony. Lord, send down Your Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of men with peace and love. May justice, truth and love prevail for casualties and survivors of conflict. Lord, hear my prayer in the name Your son, the Prince of Peace, Amen.
Glory be to God in the highest. King of kings. Lord of lords. He who fills mouths with rejoicing. Hallelujah!!
Isaiah 60:17 - Instead of bronze I will bring you gold, and silver in place of iron. Instead of wood I will bring you bronze, and iron in place of stones. I will make peace your governor and well-being your ruler.
Lord, the wealth of this world is Yours to do with as You will. This despite the fact too many of the devil's acolytes seem to hold onto it.
However, You have declared that the wicked will hoard and You will disperse their wealth to those who are pleasing to You.
Therefore, Lord, let the wealth of nations come to Your own. Great Provider, open doors of provision for Your children. Provision that they understand as Yours to be used for Your purpose and not their desires, IJMN Amen.
Jehovah, You are King of kings. Lord of lords. The Judge. The Lawmaker. The One we fear and dread.
Dear God, Your word states that the Spirit gives the fruit of self-control. Sound mind is a blessing to those whom You have given a deposit of Your Spirit.
Lord, may Your children's eyes open to all the good and perfect gifts You have given them. May the lies of the enemy that make them believe they do not have control, through You, over their minds, bodies, and more, come to an end. May the lie that they can rely on themselves and operate outside of Your authority be rendered impotent.
Lord, there is nothing we need that You do not provide for we know that even the wicked will not give stones to their children who ask for bread. Thus, what more our Father, the Almighty?
IJN, I pray, Amen.
Lord, fill Your children up with You. Fill Your children with Your spirit and Your word. Fill Your people with Your constant Presence and anointing (Ezekiel 36: 26-27). Remember the promise of Your Son, Jesus Christ, when He announced that Your glory rises upon Your people. You meant it so much that before He said it, Your prophet Isaiah had said it hundreds of years prior.
God, Your people call on You to be filled with more and more of You. That they may pronounce Your words when confronted by satan in any way, shape or form. Remember Your promise - open Your mouth and I will fill it (Psalm 81:10). Do just that, good Lord, IJMN, Amen.
From MFC - Happy Friday and Happy September Peppers.
I pray that you are doing well and had a wonderful Summer. I've missed too many live P&Ps due to my schedule. Even now, I'm sneaking this post in at work. lol
Glory to God! Thank you @FFJ for today's word.
No matter the season, we must remain fortified to resist the enemy's attacks. Adding these scriptures to my arsenal so I'm prepared to sling those wordstones right back. The Word teaches us to hide the word if the Lord in our heart so we won't sin against Him.
As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “You are a letter from Christ, . . . written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts” (2 Corinthians 3:3).
Thank you Father God for preparing us for attacks against the enemy. Your Word is true and a guide to our lives in this world. Please forgive me for the times I have not turned away from temptation, making me vulnerable to sin. You always call me back to repentance. Loving Jesus, You call people to follow You in unique and amazing ways. Thank you for allowing me to discern Your voice and respond to Your call. In Jesus Name AMEN!
Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
Revelation 12:9
From BI - Lord, I place in Your capable hands all who are grieving. See them, hear them and grant them comfort. Help them to cast all their cares unto You. Replace sorrow with Joy, tears with laughter and anger with Your transcending peace. Set them feee from the grief holding them captive. Heal them in mind, body and spirit. Lord, grant them strength and bless them with more of You IJMN Amen.
PRAYER TIME
Let's get serious. We need to pray for others.
Think you can pray for 2-3 people?
It's time to try and thereby bless others by giving to them in prayer. Remember, Jesus said it is better to give than to receive.
God, I thank You for the things that didn't happen. You have a reason for everything and Your word is clear that Your plans for me are good and not evil.
Therefore, Lord, I lift up my adulation to You. All things will work together for my good and Your glory, IJMN, Amen.
Marvelous God, thank You for being who You are. The never-changing God. You are the same today as You were in the past and will always remain.
Steadfast God, how excellent are You and Your wondrous name!
God, I am grateful that from age to age, You remain the same. For generations to come, those who know You will always exclaim how much You haven't changed.
Thank You for being constant. The light in the darkness that always leads us to salvation.
From BI - My King of Kings and comforter.
When I am down, You lift me up.
When I cry, You make me laugh.
When I am in need, You provide.
When I am in despair, You provide Hope.
When I am weak, You grant me strength.
When I am unwell, You send Your healing touch.
The best Father is who You are. Thank You El Roi, the God that sees me. Thank You.
Hallelujah! Hosanna in the highest.
Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me.
Bless His Holy Name!
God, I have come to bless Your Name. I have come to give You praise. I am grateful that You are my God.
All my Hallelujahs belong to You and You alone!
Lord, I want to thank You for Your mercy. Even in moments of uncertainty You continue to help and hold me.
All glory be to You, my Lord.
From BI - Thank You God for all You have done for me, all You are doing and all You are going to do in my life. Thank You my Abba Father for every blessing, trial and disappointment for everything You do is for my good. Thank You for giving me the strength to fight battles. I am so thankful for Your love, forgiveness, mercy and grace. A million tongues will never suffice. Thank You Lord. May Your name be praised forever!
PRAISE TIME
You know the deal, honor God with lots of praise!
Let's go!
From PO - I surrender all to You Abba. Thank You for resurrecting these dry bones and bringing me back to life.
From PO - Thank you my sister in Christ!