“And deliver us from evil…” — Worship is a declaration of war.  

Two emotions in RESPONSE: Terror & Dismissal.  When we talk about spiritual warfare we RESIST falling into two errors of polarization: 

  • Mysticism – An over-realized interest in the supernatural.
  • Materialism – An assumption that only that which is physical is real.  

Ephesians 6:12 CSB - 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.  

Four Facts About Satan: 

  1. He refuses to acknowledge his defeat.  
  1. He refuses to surrender his dominion until he must. He yields only what he must and when he must.  
  1. He is supported in his ambitions by man. He has man's consent to his control.  
  1. He hopes yet to make his possession of the earth permanent. 

Mark 9:14-29, “then it came out shrieking and throwing him into terrible convulsions. The boy became like a corpse and many said ‘He’s dead.”  But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him and he stood up.  After he had gone into the house the disciples asked him privately, “why couldn’t we drive it out.”  And he told them, “this kind can come out by nothing but prayer.” 

The disciples didn’t realize where the battle was truly won.  It was won in the secret place, in the quiet place, in prayer.   Maybe, they failed because the demon sensed their fear, and that fear showed a crack in their faith – All things are possible for those who believe (Mk. 9:23). 

You need not FEAR Satan. Satan fears YOU. He fears Christ who resides in you: Greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4) 

“Prayer overcomes him. It defeats his plans and himself. He cannot successfully stand before it. He trembles when some man of simple faith in God prays. Prayer is insistence upon God's will being done. It needs for its practice a man in sympathetic touch with God. Its basis is Jesus' victory.” SD Gordon, Quiet Talks on Prayer 

Ephesians 6:14-20 CSB - Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God.  

“Bind me in the truth” – Because Satan is a LIAR. 

“Protect my heart in righteousness” – Because Satan is an ACCUSER. 

“Ready me in the gospel” – Because Satan is a FOOL. 

“Protect my mind with assurance of salvation” – Because Satan is a LOSER. 

“Shield me by faith” – Because Satan is AFRAID. 

“Empower me in the Spirit” – Because Satan’s VULNERABLE. 

When you consider the magnitude and magnificence of our OMNIPOTENT, ALL-POWERFUL God, you cannot make Satan small enough.