We know from scriptures that sin, disease, disaster, wars and indeed all evil, have their origin in the devil. The devil is a real person. I did not say that he is human being; but he is a real person.

Some people deny his existence. Others fear him and live in dread of him. But the believer in Christ has authority over the devil. Unfortunately, that authority has not been fully exercised and so it has looked like the believer was powerless before the devil.

Someone has rightly said that the person who does not read is no better off than the person who cannot. In the same manner, even though as believers we have divinely delegated power to do something about the devil, if we do not exercise that authority we will be no better off than the fellows who has no such authority.

The Epistles are a good place to examine what God has said about the believer in relation to the devil because the Epistles were written to believers – born again people.

It will surprise most church people to discover that there is not one place in the New Testament where the believer is told to pray to God about the devil, or to ask God or Jesus to do something about the devil. Instead, we are told to exercise authority over him. Of course, you realize that references to the devil are also inclusive of his demon subjects.

JAMES 4 :7
7 submit yourselves therefore to God. RESIST THE DEVIL, and he will flee from you.

We couldn’t resist the devil if we didn’t have the ability to; could we? We can also see from that verse that the devil recognizes the believer’s authority. It says he will flee from us. That is the strongest that statement can be: he will flee!

1 PETER 5:8,9
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walking about seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith…

Again we are commanded to resist him. Jesus told his disciple to exercise authority over the devil in His Name.

MARK 16:17
17 And these sign shall follow them that believe; in My Name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues.

We couldn’t cast out demons if we had no authority over them; could we? The believer has divine authority in the earth. Jesus did not say “….. these signs shall follow preachers……” You have authority over the devil.

LUKE 10:19
19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy ; and nothing shall by any means hurt you..

Here we see Jesus addressing his disciples. We also see that in this verse, he is not talking about literal serpents and scorpions (though by secondary application that would be acceptable). He is talking about devils and demons, because he goes on to say, “…. And over all the power of the enemy.” The adversary ( 1 peter 5:8) is the enemy . That’s the devil.

We have no reason to be afraid of the devil. If he tempts you with sin, resist him. If he attempts to afflict you with disease, resist him. If he tries to rob you of a comfortable life, demand that he take his filthy hands off your finances and your material goods. Exercise your authority, because that’s what God gave it to you for.