Devil, Get Behind Me!

As a Christian, you have an adversary. Satan, also known as the devil, will try his very best to discourage you from living a Christian life and walking with the Lord. How do we overcome the devil as we try to do what is right?

First, let's look at how Jesus handled the devil's attacks. We can read in Matthew 4:1-11, " Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to Him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh Him up into the holy city, and setteth Him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto Him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give His angels charge concerning Thee: and in their hands they shall bear Thee up, lest at any time Thou dash Thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh Him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto Him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth Him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto Him." Jesus thwarted the temptations of the enemy by quoting the Word of God (scripture). The Word of God is powerful. Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

How do we fight against the devil? Use the Word. James 4:7 declares, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." 1 Peter 5:8-9 also encourages, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." Don't give in to the devil, RESIST the devil! Ephesians 6:11, 13-18 says “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” Revelation 12:11 asserts, "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony...."

Here are some encouraging verses for those times when you are battling the devil. Philippians 4:13 declares, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” 1 John 4:4 states, “You are from God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” Isaiah 54:17 assures, "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of Me, saith the Lord."

In Matthew 16:23, we read this about Jesus, "But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men." Just use the words of Jesus when the devil comes around, "Get thee behind me, Satan!"