The kingdom of Satan - part 2
what God teaches from the New Testament
Side notes
All Bible references are from the English Standard Version unless otherwise noted.
[1] Mark 1:21-28
And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God." But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
[2] Mark 7:24-30
And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden. But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. And he said to her, "Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." But she answered him, "Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." And he said to her, "For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter." And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.
[3] Mark 9:16-29
And he asked them, "What are you arguing about with them?" And someone from the crowd answered him, "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able." And he answered them, "O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me." And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."
And Jesus said to him, "'If you can'! All things are possible for one who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again." And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" And he said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer."
[4] Mark 16:9
Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.
[5] Mark 9:25-26
And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again." And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, "He is dead."
[6] Matthew 12:22-32
Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, "Can this be the Son of David?" But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, "It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons." Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”
[7] Luke 11:20
“But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
[8] Luke 10:19
“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.”
[9] John 1:29
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
[10] Romans 4:23-5:21
4:23 But the words "it was counted to him" were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-- but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned-- for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
[11] Matthew 28:18
And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
[12] Revelation 1:17-18
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.
[13] Acts 16:16-18
As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation." And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour.
[14] Luke 10:19
“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.”
[15] 1 John 2:13-14
I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
[16] Revelation 12:7-11
Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world--he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
[17] Matthew 6:13
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
[18] Ephesians 6:18
..praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints..
[19] Luke 10:19
“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.”
[20] 1 John 3:8
Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
[21] Acts 1:3
He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
[22] Matthew 12:25-26
Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?”
[23] Genesis 1:1-3
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.
[24] Ephesians 1:19-21
..and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
[25] Revelation 1:17-18
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”
[26] Ephesians 1:19-21
..and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
[27] Acts 16:18
And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour.
[28] 1 Peter 5:8-11
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, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
[29] Revelation 20
Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while. Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.
And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his priso and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
[30] 2 Timothy 2:26
..and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
[31] James 4:7 esv
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
[32] 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ..
[33] Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
[34] Ephesians 4:27
..and give no opportunity to the devil.
[35] 1 Timothy 5:15
For some have already strayed after Satan.
[36] Matthew 12:22-30
Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, "Can this be the Son of David?" But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, "It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons." Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?
And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”
[37] John 10:10
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God." But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden. But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. And he said to her, "Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." But she answered him, "Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." And he said to her, "For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter." And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.
And he asked them, "What are you arguing about with them?" And someone from the crowd answered him, "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able." And he answered them, "O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me." And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."
Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.
And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again." And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, "He is dead."
Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, "Can this be the Son of David?" But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, "It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons." Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
“But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.”
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
4:23 But the words "it was counted to him" were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.
As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation." And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour.
“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.”
I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world--he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
..praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints..
“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.”
Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?”
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.
..and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”
..and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour.
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, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while. Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.
..and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ..
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
..and give no opportunity to the devil.
For some have already strayed after Satan.
Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, "Can this be the Son of David?" But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, "It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons." Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
The valley between the two mountains.
When Jesus appeared in Israel he came into a society established in evil. The occupying Roman army, the Pharisees and other religious leaders were all well skilled in wickedness, although they emphatically denied such an accusation.
Demonic activity was also openly operating. Examples are given in the Bible of men, women, boys and girls at various levels of demonisation. Mark 1:21-28[1], Mark 7:24-30[2], Mark 9:16-29[3], Mark 16:9[4]
Biblically, ‘demonisation’ simply means ‘to have a demon’. Somehow, a demon (or ten!) has managed to penetrate the defences of a human and gain indwelling occupancy. From inside it is much better able to carry out its foul deeds. Jesus seemed to have had many confrontations with such beings. Read the New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John for yourself and see.
The wonderful thing about Jesus was that he didn’t leave people in the desperate condition he found them in. There is no record that he left in any person any demon he discovered. He had one directive for each and every one – Get out! Mark 9:25-26[5]
And to the amazement of everyone watching, they obeyed! It is true that they whined and moaned, disputed and demonstrated, but all of them disappeared – no exceptions!
How did he do it?
By the Holy Spirit, and therein lies a key. Jesus drove out demons by the Holy Spirit. Matthew 12:22-32[6], Luke 11:20[7]
Another key: Jesus gave his disciples authority to drive out demons. Luke 10:19[8]
Not power – authority. There is a big difference. If a traffic officer steps out onto the road and holds up his hand, everyone stops. Even the 30 ton truck stops. Does that happen because the officer has the power to stop it? Of course not! If the driver of that 30 ton truck kept driving, only flattened human remains would result.
What that traffic officer does have, though, is authority. A cap and badge make that clear. The power is in the law of the land. The law of the land enforces his hand of authority.
So it was with Jesus. He stated that he said or did nothing without his Father’s permission, and when he confronted demons, he drove them out using his authority and the power of the Holy Spirit.
The New Testament: Mount Calvary.
Calvary is not a literal mountain. The place where Jesus was crucified is really only an little piece of ground raised a little above the surrounding area. Nevertheless, in spiritual terms it is a mighty mountain.
This is where the love of God was revealed. Here God, through Jesus, opened his heart to humanity. This time darkness and an earthquake accompanied the event. In his infinite mercy, having always understood that mankind could never attain to his perfect holiness and purity through the law given on Mount Sinai; God transferred the sinner’s sin and its inevitable results to Jesus, and transferred the righteousness of Jesus to the sinner.
What a magnificent exchange! John 1:29[9], Romans 4:23-5:21[10]
The significant thing about Calvary with reference to the kingdom of darkness was that Jesus lived and died under Satan’s dominion and conquered him, something that Adam was supposed to do in the first place. Having conquered Satan, Jesus took back from him the keys of death and Hell and re-established God’s authority on planet earth. Matthew 28:18[11], Revelation 1:17-18[12]
This meant that Jesus was now legally entitled to sub-delegate authority to anyone he chose, which he did, and we see the results in Scripture for any demon that got in the way of his disciples. Acts 16:16-18[13]
Remember those two keys mentioned in earlier? Just as Jesus had the authority to drive out demons but used the power of the Holy Spirit, so now his disciples had been given his authority to do the same, and they continued to use the power of the Holy Spirit, as did Jesus.
What is the relevance for us today?
We are disciples of Jesus Christ aren’t we? Of course we are. It should follow then that we would also have authority over our enemy. As it was for Jesus, however, so it will be for us. As they opposed his authority, so they will oppose ours, and we will need to be willing to engage in battle with them in order to enter and maintain the freedom gifted to us by Christ.
Now let’s look at part of the ongoing battle necessary to maintain our freedom. We call this spiritual warfare.
There are four questions about spiritual warfare needing answer in order to clarify its meaning:
1. What is spiritual warfare?
Whenever one or more persons or nations rises up in opposition and hostility to another person or nation, and attempts to conquer them, it produces warfare. Planet earth is constantly bombarded with such acts of war. Since the Second World War, there has not been one day without fighting somewhere around the planet. Humans have a terrible track record on the issue of peace. Most have a deep desire for peace, but the reality is that peace proves an elusive goal.
Spiritual warfare is just like human warfare. Satan and his kingdom has risen up against God and his kingdom, seeking to conquer it and bring its citizens into slavery. There are varying levels of authority amongst the troops, each seeks to take territory off the other, soldiers are wounded, prisoners are taken and death stalks its prey.
In fact, there are really only two differences between human warfare and spiritual warfare:
- Human warfare is fought in the arena of the physical realm, whereas spiritual warfare is fought in the arena of the spiritual realm.
- Human warfare involves the striving of one to gain ascendancy over another to bring about ultimate victory, whereas spiritual warfare involves the enforcement of a victory that has already been won.
Spiritual warfare takes place when a Christian makes a demon or evil spirit do what it is told.
The reason for spiritual warfare is to enable territory that has thus far been under the control of God’s enemies, to be re-established under the Lordship of Jesus.
2. Is spiritual warfare Biblical?
Yes it is. A number of passages of Scripture give clear confirmation that Christians are to be engaged in a battle with fallen heavenly beings. Ephesians 6:12-17 niv reads, in part – For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 niv reads, again in part – For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
Other Scriptures can also be studied. Luke 10:19[14], 1 John 2:13-14[15], Revelation 12:7-11[16]
3. Is spiritual warfare a form of prayer?
Yes, and no.
Yes, because it is classified as such in Scripture. Matthew 6:13[17], Ephesians 6:18[18] in context of Ephesians 6:10-18.
No, because it is different.
The notable difference between spiritual warfare and most other forms of prayer is this. Most prayer involves asking God to do something for or to somebody or something. Spiritual warfare involves us enforcing the victory already gained for us by Jesus at the cross and through his resurrection. Luke 10:19[19], 1 John 3:8[20]
4. How does spiritual warfare work?
Spiritual warfare operates very simply.
As stated at the beginning of this paper, there are two spiritual kingdoms operating in this world – the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. Acts 1:3[21], Matthew 12:25-26[22], Genesis 1:1-3[23], Ephesians 1:19-21[24]
When Jesus went to the cross, died and rose again, he accomplished not only the payment for our sins, but he also took back the legal kingship of planet earth from Satan. Revelation 1:17-18[25]
Now, between his victory at the cross and his return to planet earth to take up visible rulership, there is an extended period of time where he wants the Christian to be involved in confronting and ‘mopping up’ the enemy. Mark 16:16-17[26], Acts 16:18[27], 1 Peter 5:8-11[28]
This process will not be completed, however, until Jesus visibly and physically returns. Revelation 20[29]
What does it all mean for you and me?
It means that we need to recognise that we do have a very real enemy who is interested only in our destruction. 2 Timothy 2:26[30]
It means that we need to be willing and able to engage this enemy in battle whenever and wherever we come face to face with him. James 4:7[31], 2 Corinthians 10:3-5[32]
It means that we need to learn of our weapons and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord. Ephesians 6:10-18[33]
It means that we must not ‘give ground’ to the devil in our thoughts and actions. Ephesians 4:27[34], 1 Timothy 5:15[35]
It means that we have to get off our lazy-boy chairs of apathy and fear, and do something positive to help ourselves and our fellow Christians enter into and hold onto victory. Matthew 12:22-30[36]
Conclusion
There is far too much involved in spiritual warfare to fully teach in a paper such as this. Spiritual warfare involves a lifetime of learning, training and battling. This is no excuse however for not beginning the training or engaging in battle. Remember that Satan and his henchmen are thieves, murderers and destroyers, John 10:10[37], and we have been given authority to deal with them. God has laid down in the Old Testament the laws concerning restitution and payment by thieves and murderers. We are God’s policemen given the responsibility for spiritual law and order. Let us, then, be found to be good, faithful policemen!
Suggested daily prayer
In the name and authority of the Lord Jesus, I take authority over every spirit of darkness from now through to tomorrow lunchtime concerning (….myself, spouse, children….), and I command you not to touch me/us wherever I/we go or whatever I/we do.
I command you not to touch any of my/our possessions, but to release to me/us all wealth that God wants me/us to receive, and in his timetable for that reception.
I command you to pay back all that you have stolen from me/us, and under God’s restitution principles.
I renounce and revoke every work of darkness against me/us; every curse, bitterness, jealousy, slander, gossip, hatred and condemnation; every attack of weakness, sickness, poverty, tiredness and accident.
I renounce and revoke sexual perversion and sexual depreciation.
I renounce and revoke every Psychic vampire spirit, Poltergeist spirit, and other ticking spirit.
I renounce and revoke all witchcraft, manipulation, intimidation, domination and control.
Father I ask, please, that you wash and cover me/us with the blood of Jesus Christ from now through to tomorrow lunchtime.
This paper seeks to accurately represent the teachings of Holy Scriptures. You are free to copy or alter all or any part of this paper PROVIDED that the Holy Scriptures are not misrepresented as a result.