Combatting Demons

What does the demon want?  To destroy you and your family. "...Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour..." 1 Peter 5:8. 

A lion hunts in a very particular way, they do not attack the strongest member of the herd in the most tightly packed area where the herd is grouped together. No. Instead, they choose the smallest, weakest, and most isolated member of the herd. So the strategy they use is to isolate you from your family, friends and church so that you are weak enough for them to destroy. 

According to scripture (Luke 22:31-32 and Job 2:4-6), the devil (demonic entities) have no power over us. This is precisely why the need to weaken you. They are not strong enough to achieve their goals so they rely on our power to get it done. Much of their strategy consists of altering your beliefs about God and yourself. 

This means that knowing the truth with set you free!

The primary strategy that a we use  in order to overcome demonic forces is the truth. The weapons we use against the demonic is in the Paul's letter to the Ephesians (Ephesians 6:10-18), the apostle paul describes the Roman Centurion armor.  Each piece of the armor that is described in these verses gives us a vivid illustration on overcoming evil.

The Belt of Truth  (Eph. 6:14) - (Defensive) -  The Roman centurion's armor was held together by the belt. Without the belt, the armor would not be able to be worn and the centurion would be defenseless. Living a lifestyle of the truth is a potent defensive weapon against hell so that you deprive the enemy from having ammunition to use against you.

The Breastplate of Righteousness (Eph. 6:14) - (Defensive) - The breastplate guards the centurion's heart. Without it, the enemy's weapons would have a way to get past their defenses. The righteousness described is not our righteousness but his. This piece of armor speaks to guarding our hearts with the belief righteousness of Christ and the finished work on the cross. Christ already defeated the enemy at the cross! This piece of armor will not work if you do not believe this is the truth, for it is by faith we are saved by grace (Eph. 2:8-9).

The Shoes of Peace (Eph. 6:15) - (Defensive) - "...and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace." (NIV). When the truth (scripture) is believed, the enemy is vanquished.  Familiarize yourself with the truth in the word of God so that when the devil comes with his lies you are ready. This readiness gives you peace from the Holy Spirit (Courage).

The Shield of Faith (Eph. 6:16)  - (Defensive) - The Greek word used by the Apostle Paul here is θυρεὸν (thyreon). A thyreos or thureos (Ancient Greek: θυρεός) was a large oval shield by the Roman centurions. Troops who carried it were known as thyreophoroi (Who never went into battle alone). The shield was made of wood covered with leather and had a spined boss.  The Roman soldier would need to  apply oil to the leather otherwise it would get brittle.  The Apostle paul is giving us some word-imagery here to anoint our faith with the Holy Spirit on a daily basis with worship. 

The Helmet of Salvation (Eph 6:17) - (Defensive) - This is the head-covering (comp. Psalm 140:7). In 1 Thessalonians 5:8 we read, "putting on for an helmet the hope of salvation." The glorious truth that we are saved (comp. Ephesians 2:5, 8) appropriated, rested on, rejoiced in, will protect even so vital a part as the head, will keep us from intellectual surrender and rationalistic doubt.

The Sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17) - (Defensive) - this is the only offensive weapon described by the Apostle paul. The greek word used is μάχαιραν (machairan) which is a double-edged blade.  "For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires." Hebrews 4:12.  "Double-edged" is the Greek word δίστομον (distomon) which literally means "spoken twice". The two edges of the blade are 1) The word of truth spoken by the Spirit of God to you, and 2) you speaking that  truth  spoken to you against the enemy. If you speak the truth to the enemy they have to flee but only if you believe it!