Resisting the devil is a clear biblical concept that all Christians should understand and put into practice. At its core, resisting the devil means actively opposing the schemes, temptations, and attacks of Satan through faith in Christ and obedience to God’s Word.
The Bible makes it clear that the devil seeks to destroy our lives and lead us into sin (1 Peter 5:8). He is our spiritual enemy who prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. That is why Scripture repeatedly instructs believers to resist him:
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith…” (1 Peter 5:8-9)
These verses indicate that resisting the devil begins with submitting ourselves to God and standing firm in our faith in Christ. It is not something we do in our own power, but through the strength and authority given to us by Jesus (Luke 10:19).
How to Resist the Devil
The Bible provides practical strategies for resisting enemy attacks in our lives:
1. Recognize his schemes
In order to resist the devil, we first have to be aware of his schemes and tactics. Satan often works in hidden, subtle ways to deceive people and lead them into sin or spiritual destruction. We are called to be alert and vigilant against his cunning plans (2 Corinthians 2:11). As we grow in spiritual discernment, we will be better equipped to detect his lies and traps.
2. Guard your mind
One of the main access points the devil uses is our mind. When we allow him to influence our thoughts and attitudes, he gains a foothold (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Resisting him requires actively guarding our minds against enemy lies, false guilt, temptation, and deception. We do this by intentionally fixing our thoughts on Christ and filling our minds with God’s truth (Philippians 4:8).
3. Use the authority of Christ
Jesus gave believers authority over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19). When facing demonic attacks or oppression, we can use Christ’s authority to resist the devil’s schemes and command him to leave in Jesus’ name. Believers have no power in themselves, but the authority we have in Christ is greater than any work of the devil.
4. Put on the full armor of God
Ephesians 6 describes the spiritual armor God provides so that we can stand firm against the devil’s attacks. By truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer, we can resist the enemy’s flaming arrows and he will flee. Putting on this armor daily prepares us to detect and extinguish any schemes of the devil.
5. Submit to God
Actively submitting every area of our life to God is a key part of resisting the devil (James 4:7). This includes repenting of any known sin and humbly obeying God’s commands. The closer we draw to God in intimacy and obedience, the farther we move away from the devil’s reach and influence.
6. Stay in community
Isolation makes us an easier target for enemy attacks. God did not design us to resist the devil alone. Staying connected to other believers provides protection and accountability against temptation and deception (Hebrews 10:24-25). We can help each other identify blind spots and areas of weakness so that the devil cannot sneak in undetected.
Why Resisting the Devil is Important
Resisting the devil is not optional – it is essential for living an overcoming Christian life. Here are some reasons why actively opposing Satan is so crucial:
1. Satan aims to steal our lives and destroy our faith
Jesus said the devil’s purpose is “to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10). If we do not resist him, he will wreak havoc in our lives, families, ministries, and all that God has given us. We must recognize that we have an enemy intent on our downfall.
2. The devil seeks to devour and tempt believers
Like a hungry lion, the devil looks for any believer he can exploit with temptation, accusation, or deception (1 Peter 5:8). If we allow him access through unguarded areas like bitterness or pride, he will try to gain a stronghold and lead us into moral failure or spiritual apathy.
3. Satan tries to blind the minds of unbelievers
In his mission to prevent people from knowing Christ, the devil tries to blind the minds of unbelievers and keep them from seeing the light of the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4). As believers, we can help tear down his schemes through prayer and by living out the good news.
4. The devil tests and sifts believers
Jesus warned Simon Peter that Satan demanded “to sift you like wheat” (Luke 22:31). Through trials and persecution, the enemy tests and tempts believers. Resisting him enables us to remain strong in the faith when under spiritual attack.
5. Satan accuses believers day and night
The Bible calls the devil “the accuser” who accuses believers “day and night” before God (Revelation 12:10). When we resist enemy lies and accusations through the blood of Christ and the truth of Scripture, we overcome his attacks.
6. The devil prowls around seeking victims
Satan is always on the prowl, looking for weak or complacent believers he can ensnare in sin. Staying alert, sober, and watchful provides necessary vigilance against his schemes to gain influence in our lives (1 Peter 5:8).
7. Scripture commands us to resist the devil
Perhaps the most straightforward reason to resist the devil is because God’s Word repeatedly instructs us to. As obedient followers of Christ, we must take this directive seriously by actively opposing the enemy through faith.
Our Victory in Christ
While the devil seeks to destroy us, he is a defeated foe. Colossians 2:15 declares that Jesus disarmed and triumphed over the powers of darkness at the cross. When we resist the devil, we do not fight for victory, but from a place of victory in Christ. Though the spiritual battle rages on, the war has already been won.
As believers, we fight from a position of authority and power through the indwelling Spirit. Submitting to God and resisting enemy attacks through spiritual vigilance enables us to walk in freedom and victory until the day of Christ’s return, when Satan will finally be thrown into the lake of fire forever (Revelation 20:10).
Through faithfulness to God’s Word and the power of the risen Christ, we can overcome every wile and scheme of the devil. May we endeavor to resist him at all times, so that the thief cannot steal, kill, or destroy anything that God intends for our good.