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Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Where in the Bible Does It Say Christians Should Rebuke Satan?



Are Christians supposed to talk to the devil? Are they supposed to rebuke, "bind," or scold?

There are different interpretations of Scripture, but the biblical fact is: only God can rebuke Satan.

Yes, we're supposed to resist the devil. The Bible says, Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7). The Bible also gives us the means to do so. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (Ephesians 6:11-13).

Do you remember the story about the demon-possessed boy? His father said to Jesus, I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour (Matthew 17:16-18).

In the book of Job, Chapter 1, Satan has a conversation with God. God gives him permission to touch Job's family and possessions, but he must spare Job himself. God is greater than Satan, and He always limits Satan, not exclusively in the book of Job.
  • God threw Satan out of heaven when he rebelled against Him. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! (Isaiah 14:12) And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him (Revelation 12:9).
  • In Genesis 3, after Adam and Eve sinned, Satan the serpent is cursed and changed. This passage predicts his final doom and the Jesus' victory. And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel (Genesis 3:14-15).
  • When Satan tempted Jesus, the devil said, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. What happened next? Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him (Matthew 4:9b-11). Jesus completely defeated Satan's arguments with His Word.
  • Hell was made to punish the devil and his minions. Jesus said, Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41).
  • There's an end in sight for the devil. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever (Revelation 20:10).

Nowhere in Scripture do we find that people have the authority to speak to the devil. Only God has that authority, and He is in a much higher position. Satan was a beautiful cherub before he rebelled against the Lord and was cast out of heaven, taking with him some of the angels, which we call demons.* He has never had as much power as God, even though he's always desired it.

Christians can pray to the Lord about anything. This includes demonic oppression and for lost people to be saved. But, there's no precedent in Scripture about "binding Satan" or rebuking him directly. The only Man who ever did that was Jesus—and, of course, He's God.

Let's pray to the Lord. Communicate with Him. Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). And let God take care of the devil.


*See Ezekiel 28:1-19.

4 comments:

  1. I got hold of some "spiritual warfare" books in my early Christian life that were confusing and frightening. I didn't want to go head to head with Satan! When I read that the archangel Michael "durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee," it was a great relief. I can leave the devil for God to deal with.

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    1. Thank you for sharing that verse, Barbara. That's so interesting. God bless you.

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  2. Thank you! I have been quietly enjoying many of your blog posts. I just wanted to stop in and let you know they are appreciated! Stay true to God's Word!!!

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