What is the Christian's authority in Christ over Satan? (Full Version)

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Little_1 -> What is the Christian's authority in Christ over Satan? (6/8/2008 8:16:01 AM)

What is your understanding of the Christian's authority in Christ over Satan and his principalities, etc?



BerianAardvark -> RE: What is the Christian's authority in Christ over Satan? (6/8/2008 8:54:46 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Little_1

What is your understanding of the Christian's authority in Christ over Satan and his principalities, etc?


Our authority in Christ over Satan is simply this: Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)

And the way we resist Satan is to draw near and submit to God.

Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. (Ephesians 6:11-13)

We can stand firm, which does not include attacking or rebuking spiritual powers directly.

If you note in the Armor of God all except one item is purely defensive.

Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:14-17)

That "offensive" part is the Sword of the Spirit...the Word of the Lord.

Jesus, Himself, when tempted by Satan responded with scripture and let that alone stand as sufficient rebuke.

To directly confront the spiritual powers of wickedness by rebuking and railing against them is to do so in our own power and pride.

Greater is He who is in us...so we are to allow the Holy Spirit to do the spiritual battles.

Tim



Little_1 -> RE: What is the Christian's authority in Christ over Satan? (6/8/2008 2:07:33 PM)

Some examples of the Christian's authority in Christ over Satan:

~ We are the head and not the tail! (Deut 28:13)
~ We are given authority to go into all the world and preach the gospel (Mark 16:15)
~ We are more than conquerors through Christ (Romans 8:37)
~ We have a spiritual armory which is unique to the Christian in his/her battle against Satan - the Sword of the spirit and the sandals of peace are the offensive weapons in this armory which when we learn to use them will make the devil afraid and flee! (Ephesians 6:14-18)
~ Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world! (1 John 4:4), etc ......

And there's lots more ......



Walker311 -> RE: What is the Christian's authority in Christ over Satan? (6/8/2008 5:29:12 PM)

I believe that we overestimate the power of Satan and underestimate the power of the name of Jesus.

If you have a good grasp of who has what, you don't have to give this topic too much thought.



4IMPersuaded -> RE: What is the Christian's authority in Christ over Satan? (6/8/2008 8:32:28 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Walker311

I believe that we overestimate the power of Satan and underestimate the power of the name of Jesus.

Walker, I couldn't agree with you, more! The other mistake that I see Christian's make in overestimating satan's power is in crediting him with everything that goes wrong in our lives. Frankly, I am capable of screwing up my life with no outside help whatsoever! We say that the enemy has been attacking us, when in fact, we are simply reaping the consequences of our own actions. When I have trouble getting to church on time on Sunday mornings (and I have no trouble getting to work on time during the week), it has more to do with my lack of effective time management than satan wanting me to miss the sermon.

Satan will leave us alone if we are not effectively threatening his dark agenda. If he is attacking us, he has no power that we don't give him, since we are in Christ and sealed by the Holy Spirit. All we have to do is call upon the Name of Jesus and the enemy must flee! We have nothing to fear-- that's not to say that we are guaranteed a life without pain. We are guaranteed, though, that we will be in Christ in life and to die is gain.



SonInMe1 -> RE: What is the Christian's authority in Christ over Satan? (6/8/2008 8:46:36 PM)

quote:

And the way we resist Satan is to draw near and submit to God.


This is accomplished by loving God more than our sins.

quote:

We can stand firm, which does not include attacking or rebuking spiritual powers directly.


In your own power, I agree. In Jesus name, by His power we can.

quote:

That "offensive" part is the Sword of the Spirit...the Word of the Lord.


No doubt. Using scripture is great in prayer. Jesus did rebuke satan though in the bible. What did He say to Peter? " Satan get behind me "

quote:

To directly confront the spiritual powers of wickedness by rebuking and railing against them is to do so in our own power and pride.


I disagree. To confront satan in our own power is foolsihness. To confront satan in Jesus name is not.



Little_1 -> RE: What is the Christian's authority in Christ over Satan? (6/9/2008 1:56:56 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Walker311

I believe that we overestimate the power of Satan and underestimate the power of the name of Jesus.

If you have a good grasp of who has what, you don't have to give this topic too much thought.


Thank you Walker. I agree - the whole point of this post is to make us realise our spritual position in Christ. When we have a good healthy estimation of who we are in Christ and what our spiritual position is in Christ - then we will not be afraid of our enemy. How many Christians have a head and heart knowledge of such though? I work with a Christian who has very little idea of what is theirs in Christ and this is not something which is uncommon sadly but it is something which saddens me very much.



davemiller7 -> RE: What is the Christian's authority in Christ over Satan? (6/12/2008 2:26:33 PM)

quote:

Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world! (1 John 4:4),


Using this bit of Scripture as my guide, I rebuke Satan in the name of Jesus Christ and command him to leave (again in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior). It works. Satan returns later, usually much later, but meets the same rebuke.

Blessings,
-Dave



Little_1 -> RE: What is the Christian's authority in Christ over Satan? (6/13/2008 1:39:03 PM)

Here is a good link to the Christian's position in Christ:

Our position in Christ



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