Q: Although I am a Christian, I live in fear. I am scared of attacks from the devil. This was aggravated after I read books such as “He came to set the Captives Free” and other books by Rebecca Brown. In fact, I am more conscious of the attacks and schemes of the enemy than of God’s presence and comfort. My church too teaches a lot about spiritual warfare and about binding the devil. I have tried to rebuke and bind the devil so that his forces in my area can be defeated. Please help me.
A: I am glad that you have gathered the courage and honesty to admit that you are living in fear. I am also glad that you see an inconsistency between your identity as a Christian and your life in fear. There are ever so many Christians who take fear of the evil forces as a part of normal Christian life! And those who don’t, have no courage to admit that they are living an abnormal “Christian” life ruled by fear. At the onset, let me request you to read my reply carefully, with a Bible at your side. Please turn to the references given below and check them up to your satisfaction. Make a note of them so that you will have these references long after this paper is gone!

First of all, let me assure you, that it is not your duty as a Christian to “bind” the devil. No man has been entrusted with that task. The Lord Jesus Christ taught his disciples that he has already bound the “strong man” - the devil (Matt. 12:29). That was how he could cast out demons from people and start plundering the devil’s kingdom. When you understand what Jesus has done for you, you will be relieved. As Jesus said, You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free!

Secondly, you need not “defeat” the devil or his forces! No Christian is ever charged to do that. Jesus Christ has already defeated the devil and his armies. The devil is no more the ruler of this world; he was ousted from his position by none other than Jesus (John 12:31). (If there are people still under his sway, it is because of their ignorance about the gospel or their unwillingness to obey the gospel.) The devil’s power was destroyed (Heb. 2:14) and his “head” (authority) was crushed (Gen. 3:15). Thus, the devil is a defeated enemy. He was disarmed by Christ’s atoning work on the cross and was made a public spectacle (Col. 2:15). And the devil and his minions are condemned to endure an eternal hell (Matt. 25:41).

Christ, on the other hand, was exalted to the right hand of God’s throne. “Right hand” signifies power. Jesus was made the Lord—the King of kings and Lord of Lords (Acts 2:33-36). He is not just a mediator, as some erroneously believe. The promise given to David, that his descendant would be enthroned forever, was fulfilled in Jesus at his glorification (Acts 13:32-33). Jesus was exalted above every rule, authority, power and dominion(Eph. 2:21). So, Jesus is in power as the most exalted Messiah, the anointed King! A person who does not believe this cannot be saved because it is this confession – that ‘Jesus is Lord’ – that saves us (Rom 10:9-10). People who say that Jesus is not yet King should do some serious introspection about the validity of their faith.

And you, as a Christian are seated with Christ, above all forces of darkness (Eph. 2:6). Why then should you be afraid if you believe what the Bible says? Can the devil snatch you out of Jesus’ hands? No! (John 10:27-29). Can he touch your body or your possessions without God’s express permission? No! (Job 1:10). Although the devil is defeated, bound, and dethroned, he is potent enough to attack the Church and Christians in many small ways. He tempts people to commit sin, he steals God’s word from people’s hearts (Mk 4:15); he may accuse you before God (that’s why he is called Satan, the accuser); he may tempt you to be proud (1 Tim 3:6); he might bring in false teachings into the church (1 Tim. 4:1-5); he could hinder the travel plans of God’s servants and thus cause hurdles in the way of the gospel (1 Thess. 2:18); he could exploit sorrow or discouragement in a Christian to get the better of him/her (2 Cor. 2:6,7,11); and he can “blind” the eyes of unbelievers so that they don’t see the gospel’s light (Of course, when God opens someones inner eyes, he/she will see the gospel 2 Cor 4:4-6).

In all his teaching about spiritual warfare, Paul never once said that we should be afraid of the devil’s attacks. It is true that no Christian can withstand the attack of this defeated enemy on his/her own. Even though these attacks are limited in one way or the other, we are commanded to trust in God’s power and to take up God’s full armour (Eph. 6:10ff). No soldier runs with the “full armour” on him. Wearing it is a defensive strategy.

We get so caught up with the metaphorical language of “armour” that is used here that we get distracted from the real meaning of the “armour.” The “full armour” is a set of virtues—truth, righteousness, faith, correct use of the Word of God, readiness to preach the gospel, and the hope of salvation! These are powerful enough to resist the devil’s schemes. This is why Christian character formation – growing into a Christ-like nature – is so important in spiritual warfare. We are not given “techniques” and “mantras” for victory. We are asked to become like Christ in our conduct – in honesty, righteous living, in endurance that comes from hope, in readiness to share the gospel, in exercising unwavering faith in God’s promises, and in using the Word correctly. Jesus used the Word correctly, in defense, when tempted by the devil.

Remember, we are not called to attack the devil or to go after him or even to engage in a conversation with him. We are told to resist, to stand firm and to hold the ground. If we resist, he will flee. Any attempt to attack, to revile, to curse, or to rebuke the devil is contrary to Scriptural teaching and is unnecessary (Jude v. 8-10; 2 Peter 2:10-12). Jesus commanded his disciples to cast out evil spirits. That just takes a command and is different from actual rebuking or reviling.

Another thing to be noted here is that prayer is not a part of the armour even though there is a mention about prayer in Ephesians 6. I have seen several Christians using prayer as a “weapon” directly against the devil! They address the devil directly as they try to name his spirits and to bind them! Prayer – whether in your own language or in a Spirit-given language – must be addressed God. The right posture for prayer is an attitude of supplication and NOT an attitude of pride. Prayer is not “ordering” God about – to do things our way and at our time. When we pray according to God’s will, God will work against the devil’s schemes. That’s where the action against the devil comes from.

There are a number of books such as the ones that you mentioned that deal with spiritual warfare. However, not all of them are based on the Scriptures. It is sad that we get easily swept away by any thing in print—even when it is contrary to explicit biblical teaching. In the area of spiritual warfare this is very true. Christian leaders too mislead people by borrowing “warfare techniques” from the world of animism and magic. Sometimes, they do it inadvertently. In any case, it confuses people and deprives them of the victory that Christ’s work has accomplished for them.

In this connection, I would like to take note of one of the phrases you employed—”his (devil’s) forces in my area”. Recently, American scholars such as Peter Wagner and other scholars from Fuller have endorsed the ancient animistic view that there are “territorial spirits” in this world. According to this belief – which lacks Scriptural validity – there are evil spirits that control cities, villages, and entire countries. I think your reference to the devil’s forces in your “area” is influenced by this teaching. Limitations of space will not allow me to fully deal with this topic here. Practices such as prayer-walks, spiritual mapping, naming of evil spirits to bind them, etc. are based on this erroneous teaching about territorial spirits. There are so many well-meaning, sincere Christians in India who lap up every new teaching that appears in print or on TV.

I would say just this: God has not appointed evil spirits to rule over territories. Jesus made it very clear. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth is given to me.” I do not know of any Bible passage that says that Jesus has delegated his authority on earth to sub-contractors – to evil spirits – to rule smaller territories! For a fuller argument against this heresy called “Strategic Level Spiritual Warfare” that teaches about “territorial spirits”, read Chuck Lowe’s Territorial Spirits and World Evangelisation? published by OM Books, Secunderabad (Originally published by Christian Focus Publications, Great Britain).

Send in your questions to ppe@praisethealmighty.com to get Biblical answers in this column.
 

This page is updated on February 6, 2009