We covered last week about the defeat of satan at Calvary's cross and the authority that is vested in the believer.

We must always in all circumstances recognize that the enemy has been defeated and always operate from our position of victory and authority in Christ.

In every situation, when we are at our strongest and when we feel our weakest, our declaration is the same "satan! you have been defeated!"

Today we wish to address a few practical areas as we learn to operate out of a place of dominion and authority.

Why does the enemy still appear strong? Why do we still see casualties?

Before we look at some reasons why we sometime face defeats/setbacks, etc., we must remind ourselves about the example and possibilities set by the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Lord Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).
We are called to walk as He walked (1 John 2:6).
The Lord Jesus demonstrated to us in His earthly life what we are called to walk in as believers.

NO DEFEAT : The Lord Jesus never once experienced defeat when He confronted demons and disease. There is no person He could not deliver.

DEMONS TREMBLED: Everywhere Jesus went, demons recognized Him and trembled and left. He walked in complete dominion and mastery.

We believe that this is God's standard for His people and we must press in to this place.

As we press into learning how to walk as Jesus walked, there are some obvious questions. Why does the enemy still appear strong? Why do we still see casualties? Here are something to keep in mind - as we make our journey:

1, Ignorance of God's Word and who we are in Christ
Many believers are either ignorant of the truth of God's Word concerning the believers' authority, satan's defeat and who we are in Christ, OR, sometimes, we know the truth, but we do not live out of the truth we know.

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.

Isaiah 5:13 Therefore my people have gone into captivity, Because they have no knowledge;

There are times when the Word we have heard is not working in our lives because of the condition of the hear. If we are unbelieving; unwilling to hold on to the Word during tough times; distracted by the cares and affections of this world - we do not walk in the truth we have heard. (The parable of the sower Mark 4, Luke 8).

2, Ignorance of satan's tactics
We must not be ignorant of the enemy's devices.
When God's people are ignorant of the enemy's devices, the enemy has an undue advantage.

2 Corinthians 2:11
lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Satan comes to steal the Word that has been sown into our hearts.

Some of the enemy's tactics
Accusation/Condemnation : The devil brings accusation and condemnation against us telling us we are not worthy of what God desires to do for us or has provided us. Some of us accept this and mistakenly turn into a form of humility (self humiliation), when actually we have given in to the condemnation of the enemy.
Intimidation : This is the enemy trying to put fear into our minds and keep us from stepping out in faith. It is like all the mighty warriors in Saul's army becoming crippled in fear by Goliath, until David went out and killed Goliath.
Deception : Deception is simply believing a lie. The enemy attempts to trick believers into believing a lie - about themselves, about their situations, about what God desires to do, etc.

For instance, Paul was concerned for the Corinthian believers:

2 Corinthians 11:3
But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

To keep ourselves from lies, we must expose ourselves constantly to the truth (God's Word), be focused on the One who is the Truth (Jesus Christ) and walk in communion with the Spirit of truth.

3, Entry points - known and unknown

Ephesians 4:26,27
26 "BE ANGRY, AND DO NOT SIN": do not let the sun go down on your wrath,
27 nor give place to the devil.

As believers we must keep sin out, and ensure that we give the devil no access.

It is our responsibility to give no place to the devil.

The works of the flesh are entry points for the enemy: strife, envy, anger, lust, etc.
These are known entry points, and we must immediately confess sin, repent and turn away from it.

One of the names of the devil is "Beelzebub" meaning the lord of the dung (filth), or the lord of the flies. The enemy comes where there is filth.

Sometimes there are other entry points : dedications/sacrifices/rituals that may have been done over our lives by family members, etc. Where required we need to cancel these.

4, Learning how to wage a good warfare

2 Corinthians 10:3-5
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

We cannot overcome a spiritual enemy with fleshly means.
A spiritual battle must be fought with spiritual weapons.

The weapons we have are powerful through God and can demolish demonic works.
However, these are not carnal (human, fleshly) weapons, but spiritual weapons.

This is an area where we are still learning how to successfully engage and fight the enemy. There are casualties along the way and we continue to learn from each setback, from each failure. Even though at times we do not understand, we continue to hold on to the truth we have, and desire to walk in it.

Faith is important. Matthew 17:20
Even the disciples, who were with Jesus, experienced failure, and the Lord Jesus pointed to a problem with their faith.

Application:

As believers God has give us authority - but we must learn how to walk in it correctly.

Be vigilant
Always be on guard. Think ahead. Pre-empt what the enemy might do.

1 Peter 5:8,9
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

1 John 5:18
We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.

Be bold
1 John 5:1,4
1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

have the spirit of a conqueror

Be persistent
refuse to give up, give in, or get out

Romans 16:19,20
19 For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil.
20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen

Just keep walking in obedience. Be wise. Stay away from evil.

Even if you lose a battle, press ahead, the victory has already been won!
Always operate out of a place of dominion and authority.

Dare to believe God to help you recover what has been lost. (1 Samuel 30:1-19)