Our Prowling Adversary
Can Christians rebuke or bind Satan? What about demons? How are we victorious over our prowling adversary? What are the means? I grew up in a church where rebuking Satan was the norm and I remember my family saying something along the lines of “I rebuke that in Jesus’ name” whenever something bad happened or something undesired was said so that it wouldn’t come to pass.
But do we have that authority? Does this practice have biblical grounds? Do demons actually obey us? Let’s take a look at some Scripture and find out.
“No believer should be so boldly foolish as to mock or command the power of supernatural demons, especially Satan.”
What scripture says
God does not leave us in the dark in regards to our enemy. We are told that we are in a constant war with the spiritual powers of evil in heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12). We are also given weapons to fight that battle successfully. We are told to
Resist the devil
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)
Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. (1 Peter 5:9)
Be armed against the devil
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. (Ephesians 6:11-13)
Be watchful against the devil
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
But we will not find a verse where we are told to rebuke or bind the devil or demons. It’s true that the apostles were given unique, specific authority to cast out demons during Jesus’ ministry and the early church, but those were not gifts given to all Christians and at all times. As the New Testament continues, we are given proof that Christians are not to approach or address Satan or demons.
Respect for Authority
2 Peter 2:11 shows us that holy angels are greater in power than human beings.
…whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them before the Lord. (2 Peter 2:11)
We see in Jude 9 that even Michael the archangel does not dare deal with the devil by his own power but instead appeals to the authority of the Lord.
Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones. But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively. Woe to them! (Jude 8-11)
“Rather than personally cursing such a powerful angel as Satan, Michael deferred to the ultimate soveirgn power of God following the example of the angel of the Lord in Zecheriah 3:2. This is a supreme illustration of how Christians are to deal with Satan and demons. Believers are not to address them, but rather seek the Lord’s intervening power against them.” —John MacArthur’s Commentary on Jude 9
The story of the seven sons of Sceva paint a potent picture of the power and strength that demons have compared to human beings, and that they only answer to recognized authority. “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” (Acts 19:15)
“…demons cannot be cast out via a formula or a ritual or invoking Jesus’ name. There is no power in incantations, even if they include the name of Christ. The power belongs to Jesus alone. Probably the greatest mistake the seven sons of Sceva made was their failure to realize that Paul was not doing the exorcisms. Jesus Christ was doing the exorcisms through Paul. The problem faced by the seven sons of Sceva was that they had no power over the demon they confronted. They were not apostles.” —Got Questions, Who were the seven sons of Sceva?
“It is safe to resist, it is dangerous to dispute. Eve disputes, and falls in paradise; Job resists, and conquers upon the ash-heap. He who will play with Satan’s bait will quickly be taken with Satan’s hook! The promise of conquest is given to resisting, not to disputing. ‘Resist the devil, and he will flee from you’. Ah, souls! were you better at resisting than at disputing, your temptations would be fewer, and your strength to stand would be greater than now it is.”
Satan is permitted to sift believers
In Scripture, we see that Satan is sometimes permitted by God to afflict believers.
And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord. (Job 1:8-12)
And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life. But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. (Job 2:3-7)
If God is the one who permits or prohibits Satan’s activity, there is no amount of rebuking, binding, or casting out that can be done to stop it. But, we are given everything needed to stand firm.
This is good news, because it means that our safety, prosperity, and our future is in the loving, sovereign hand of our Father. All that happens to us is for our ultimate good and God’s glory and He has given us His Spirit and His Word as our weapon and defense.
“Satan, like a drudge, may hold the sieve, hoping to destroy the corn; but the overruling hand of the Master is accomplishing the purity of the grain by the very process which the enemy intended to be destructive. Precious, but much sifted corn of the Lord's floor, be comforted by the blessed fact that the Lord directeth both flail and sieve to his own glory, and to thine eternal profit…Observe the complete safety of the Lord's wheat; even the least grain has a promise of preservation…Every individual believer is precious in the sight of the Lord, a shepherd would not lose one sheep, nor a jeweller one diamond, nor a mother one child, nor a man one limb of his body, nor will the Lord lose one of his redeemed people. However little we may be, if we are the Lord's, we may rejoice that we are preserved in Christ Jesus.” —Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, June 20
The Full Armor of God
To rely on verbal rebuking for the protection of our families and the keeping of our souls is to fight a spiritual battle with physical means. Ephesians 6:12 says “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.”
I don’t know about you, but when I read that, the last thing I want is that battle to be dependent on my own words, weapons, or strength. We must use the means that God gives us.
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. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints… (Ephesians 6:10-18)
That is how we are equipped for battle. By God’s means. By the strength of HIS might. The Lord fights for us. Through His Word and His Spirit we are given everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) and we can rest in Him. We would do well to not be apathetic to the spiritual battle happening in our lives, but to also not give it too much air time and instead look to Christ and what He accomplished through His life, death, and resurrection. It is HIS strength and authority, not ours.
I pray my recent studies on this topic will be helpful. Peace be to you, dear reader. And be strong in the LORD.
“If you would successfully wrestle with Satan, make the Holy Scriptures your daily resort. Out of this sacred magazine continually draw your armour and your ammunition. Lay hold on the glorious doctrines of God’s Word; make them your daily food and drink. So you shall be strong to resist the devil, and you shall be joyful in discovering that he will flee from you.”