DOMINION OVER SATANIC POWERS

 

In Mark 3:27; Luke 10:19 we see in the word of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, as the "He that is stronger than the strong", demonstrated His matchless power over demons and all satanic power in the ways He disgraced them, destroyed their works, delivered their victims and mercilessly cast them out (Matthew 17:18; Luke 11:14; Mark 1:34,39). This awesome power, He has given to everyone who believes in, and surrenders totally unto Him (Psalm 91:13). Thus, no true believer, who is serving the Lord in holiness and righteousness should ever be afraid of demons and satanic powers. Rather, we are to be strong in the Lord, put on the whole of His armour, be firm in Him and march victoriously over demons and all satanic powers (Ephesians 6:10,11).

DESCRIPTION OF SATANIC POWERS

Demons are spirit beings. They have personality and intelligence. And, as part of Satan's kingdom and enemies of God and humans (Matthew 12:43-45), they are evil, hateful and are under the authority of Satan their master (Matthew 4:10). Demons are also the powers behind idol worship. So, those who worship false gods are actually worshipping demons (1 Corinthians 10:20). The present world is sinful, evil, estranged from God and under the manipulation of Satan (John 12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:4). Demons are the rulers of this age. That is why, believers must put on the whole armour of God and wage continual warfare against them (Ephesians 6:12).

Demons can, and often live in the bodies of unbelievers (Mark 5:15; Luke 4:41; 8:27,28; Acts 16:18), and use their voices to talk. They enslave such people, horribly afflict them and influence them toward evil, immorality and destruction. Demons, apart from other causes (Matthew 4:24; Luke 5:12,13), can cause illness in human body (Matthew 9:32,33; 12:22; 17:14-18; Luke 13:11,16). Also, anyone who is involved in spiritism, magic, prayer house, false and worldly churches, are dealing with evil spirits and are under satanic bondage (Acts 13:8-10; 19:19; Galatians 5:20).

Evil spirits will be horribly active in the last days of this age, promoting occultism, immorality, violence, and cruelty. They will attack the Word of God and sound doctrines (Matthew 24:24; 2 Corinthians 11:14,15; 1 Timothy 4:1). And their ultimate occurrence and activities will manifest in the antichrist and his followers (2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 13:2-8; 16:13,14). Upon them all, the Lord has given every genuine believer authority and power (Luke 10:19).

DEFEAT OF SATANIC POWERS

In the Lord Jesus' ministry on the earth, and in His mighty miracles, signs and wonders, He often attacked Satan and the demonic (Mark 1:25,26,34,39; 3:10,11; 5:1-20; 9:17-29; compared with Luke 13:16). He declared clearly, that one of His mighty purposes in coming to the earth was to bind Satan and set at liberty those enslaved by him (Matthew 12:29; Mark 1:27; Luke 4:18). Christ binding of, and total defeat of Satan and all his powers was partly accomplished through His casting out and disgrace of demons, and, became completely accomplished in His death and resurrection (John 12:31-33). He shattered the power of Satan's realm and forever restore the power of the kingdom of God.

Also, hell fire, the place of eternal torment, has been prepared by the Lord for Satan and his demons (Matthew 8:29; 25:41).

DOMINION OVER SATANIC POWERS

First, we need to understand, that no true believer who is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, can be demon possessed. This means that Spirit and demons can never dwell in the same body (Corinthians 6:15,16). However, believers, who fail to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit may be influenced by demons in their thoughts, emotions and actions (Matthew

16:23;2:11,3, 14).

Also, the Lord Jesus has given every true believer authority and power over demons and all satanic powers (Luke 10:19; Psalm 91:13; Mark 16:18). This mighty power of the Lord is for believers to have dominion over Satan and his evil spirits. We are not to be afraid of Satan and his forces, no to fret when they are in operation against us. Rather, we are to confront them and destroy the powers they exert over us and all that belong to us, through powerful spiritual warfare by the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:14-19).

As we stand against Satan and his evil forces, we must (1) recognize that we are not fighting against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12), (2) live a life before God that is fervently committed to His truth and righteousness (Romans 12:1,2; Ephesians 6:14), (3) believe that Satan's power is under your feet and they will be defeated (Acts 26:18; Ephesians 6:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:8), (4) realize the weapon that God has given unto us for the destruction of Satan's strongholds (Corinthians 10:4,5), (5) proclaim the gospel of the kingdom in the fullness of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 4:23; Luke 1: 15-17; Acts 1:8; 2:4; 8:12; Romans 1:16; Ephesians 6: 15), (6) rise up fearlessly to challenge Satan's power through the power of the Name of Jesus (Acts 1601615) Standing on God's word, by fasting and casting out demons (Matthew 10:1; 12:28; 17:17-21; Mark 16:17; Luke 10:17; Acts 5:16; 8:7; 16:18; 19:12). We are to march, now and always, in dominion, over demons and all satanic powers in Jesus Christ Name.