In his classic book, War on the Saints, Jessie Penn-Lewis writes, ‘The chief condition…for the working of evil spirits in human beings, apart from sin, is passivity.’ That’s why the apostle Peter urges us, ‘Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour’ (1 Peter 5:8 NLT). Have you ever seen a hungry lion devour its prey? That’s a picture of what Satan is out to do to you. And he will use things like pleasure, power, pressures, possessions, passions, and people to do it. Paul tells us to be on guard ‘so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes’ (2 Corinthians 2:11 NLT). How can you defend yourself? Neil Anderson says, ‘Our defence against direct attacks by the evil one is to speak aloud God’s truth.’ Why speak aloud to Satan? Because God knows the thoughts and intents of your heart – Satan doesn’t (see Jeremiah 17:9-10 and Psalm 139:1, 23-24). When you’re in Satan’s crosshairs, remember James 4:7: ‘Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you’ (KJV). Take these two powerful steps: First, talk to God before engaging the Enemy. ‘Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee’ (Psalm 50:15 KJV). Second, talk to the Enemy. And keep it short and authoritative! ‘Satan, in the irresistible name of Jesus, cease all activity against me now. Leave and don’t return!’ Will he obey? You have submitted and resisted – he has no option.
