ONE of the secret weapons of Satan is the mis-belief that he can control or force people into sin.
You have heard the statement many times-the Devil made me do it! Can Satan and his cohorts make you do anything? No, they cannot!
The enemy operates through deception, temptation, and legal access or agreement, but he cannot override your will. His greatest weapon is deception, but truth dismantles every lie. Stand firm, resist, and watch him flee today!
Many write-ups have been done concerning Satan, evil spirits and how to deal with them. Unfortunately, some believers show little or no interest in reading these articles.
In 2 Corinthians 2:11 , Paul is saying, “do not let Satan be more intelligent or cleverer than you,” and goes on to add, “we know that Satan has schemes, but we are aware of what they are!”
Understanding Satan’s limitations
A Christian was greatly deceived by a massager of darkness(Servant of Satan), masquerading as a man of God. This man started off by telling her how important it was to read the Bible and to pray to Jesus.
After that, he told her how God wants us to pray secretly.
He used Mathew 6:6, But When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your father, who is unseen. Then your father who sees what was done in secret will reward you
The fake pastor told her that whatever is done in secret was between her and God and asked her to but red candles, representing the blood of Jesus. She was also to buy a red head scarf and a red cloth to cover the “altar” that he wanted her to make. God was secretive and did not want her praying with anyone else.
Every time she prayed she was to cover her head and she handed her the prayers to pray that God may reward her. This crook became her personal prophet and fleeced her of a lot of money before she came to her senses and realised she was dealing with a conman.
What do you think made this woman believe this man? Why do you think Christins are deceived? What does God expect us to do?
Closing doors
At BBI we have worked with thousands of demon oppressed people in deliverance who despite their different levels of struggle still had the ability to control their behaviour.
A person who is possessed would have absolutely no control over his or her spirit, soul and body.
We have also worked with people who are demon possessed in one area or another, for example addictive habits that they have no control over. If they are not in control, then something else is!
Often a demon is found to be controlling them and the solution becomes kicking out of the demon and maintaining one’s new found freedom by closing doors through Christian discipline.
At BBI we cast demons out of believers only, because if you cast demons out of unsaved persons , his or her condition may worsen because the Holy Spirit is not in control of their lives , despite being free from the tormenting demon.
The late former American President Theodore Roosevelt was quoted to have said that if you were asked to kick, with all your might, your worst enemy “you’d end up sore!” Why? Because, man is his own worst enemy.
We make mistakes in all areas of our lives-but we cannot blame Satan for all our mistakes. These mistakes are caused by ignorance, not seeking the leading to the Holy Spirit, false teachings and so on.
Our mistakes in judgement cause us untold mental, emotional and physical agony in our undertakings including our relationships and even ministry.
Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”
Satan is a Deceiver
Having studied man since the Garden of Eden, deceived Adam and Eve, now like a tiny little girl controlling a class of other girls twice her size, continues to use the principles of fear, deception and manipulation.
The enemy is a deceiver, not an enforcer. He does not have the authority to force people into sin—he operates through deception and persuasion. John 8:44 says, “He is a liar and the father of lies.”
In Genesis 3:1-6 , Satan tempted Eve, but she made the choice to eat the fruit. 2 Corinthians 11:3 says, “ the serpent deceived Eve through craftiness.”
If Satan cannot make you do anything, then why are people controlled by demons in some areas of their lives?
The devil needs your agreement to gain access. Romans 6:16 reminds us, “To whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are.”
God gave man-kind the power of choice-free will. Throughout Scripture, God calls people to make decisions that align with His will.
If you decide not to follow the Bible, be led of the Holy spirit, then God cannot bless you and Satan will attack you till you confess, repent and break every agreement that you may have come into with “the father of lies.”
Remember when we walk in sin and disobedience , we give Satan access.1 John 3:8 – “He who sins is of the devil.”
Deuteronomy 30:19 declares, “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life.” Joshua 24:15 echoes this by calling people to consciously choose whom they will serve
Satan has no power
The responsibility of choice rests with individuals, while Satan’ seeks to influence or manipulate people’s choices through deception, fear and sin.
Fear is described as an unpleasant emotion caused by belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain or is a threat. However, the most devastating cause of fear is the lack of no knowledge or inadequacy of knowledge.
Fear opens doors to demonic influence. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “God has not given us a spirit of fear.”
Satan no power to force you into sin but requires your participation. Ephesians 4:27 warns believers not to “give place to the devil.” The enemy can only take as much territory and operate in the areas where we allow him access. If we submit to God and resist him he will flee.
Please click on this link Overcoming a relapse after deliverance to read a related post.
Agreement with evil gives it influence, while resisting it shuts the door to its power.
Jesus defeated Satan through His death on the cross and took back the authority Satan had deceived Adam and Eve into surrendering to him.
He gave it to the church and ascended to heaven that is why Luke 10:19 applies all to all believers:
I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
Authority from man
Satan has now to look for people whose authority he can use. There is nothing that Satan can do on earth without him first getting that authority from man. He woos human beings with worldly things in exchange for their soul(mind, emotions and will.
Satan cannot forcefully, use a human being’s will, he can only tempt them to hand over control to him by making an agreement with them.
He knows that God is a “covenant keeping God” and will not interfere with your agreement made with Satan.
Satan can throw tormenting thoughts , contrary to the word of God, convincing you to believe falsehoods about God, yourself or your situation, then once you believe the lie, he is able to continue to exploit and manipulate you by building on that lie until it becomes a stronghold.
This is why Paul told the in Corinthians 10:4-6 – The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.
Breaking Agreement with Satan
The good news is that every agreement with evil can be broken through repentance, renunciation, and spiritual warfare.
1 John 1:9 assures believers that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us. Repentance severs the legal rights that Satan has gained through sin. Colossians 2:14-15 speaks of how Christ “blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us,” nullifying the enemy’s claims over us.
“Submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you,” James 4:7 says. Submission to God’s authority strips the enemy of power, and active resistance through prayer, fasting, and declaring God’s word forces him to retreat. 2 Corinthians 6:17 instructs believers to “come out from among them and be separate,” highlighting the need to walk in holiness.
Believers must walk in spiritual authority. They enforce this by speaking the truth of the word of God. Use your words strategically, as Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that “death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Declaring truth dismantles deception and strengthens resistance against the enemy.
To live in victory, believers must continually walk in spiritual authority which also involves living in righteousness and truth.
The armour of God in Ephesians 6:10-18 puts emphasis on the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness. It also protects you against deception and sin. Romans 12:2 advises, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. ,” Begin to align your thoughts with God’s truth rather than the enemy’s lies.
Staying in Fellowship with God
Psalm 91:1-2 describes the safety found in dwelling in God’s presence: “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”
Your close relationship with God will keep you, your loved ones and everything that appertains to you under divine protection. It ensures your prayers are answered, reinforcing a life of victory.
By choosing to stand on God’s word, refusing agreement with evil, and walking in spiritual authority, believers can shut down every door of the enemy. Have you unknowingly given the enemy access?”
Repent, break agreement, renounce and align yourself with God’s truth today. Declare that Satan has no power over you, and live in the victory Christ has provided.
