How To Duel A Demon

One of the unfortunate realities we are faced with in today’s world, is that there really are monsters. Probably not quite like many of us imagine in television, movies, books, and video games. No, these are much worse. They are demonic creatures who are on a mission to seek and destroy. They hardly play fair, and their game isn’t won just play trying to scare you, but rather by deceiving you into losing. When you have an advantage, they want you to believe they are in control, and when they do have a hold, they will try to camouflage themselves and not let on to their presence. They will even find ways to bring to draw in more of their kind. Meanwhile, you’re trying to fight off a foe you might not even realize is clutching at your heart, mind, and even your life.

Sound scary? Well, it doesn’t have to be. They’re monstrous, but if you know what you’re doing, it’s much easier to terrorize them, and I’m going to give you some pointers on how to take them down.

Step 1: Know Your Identity

As believers, our identity is rooted in Christ Jesus. You are royalty. Kings, queens, princes, and princesses, who are called to be spiritually seated to sit with the King of kings, and Lord of lords.

Eph 2:4-6 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

As such, in obedience and subjection to Him, you have been chosen to be the head and not the tail.

Deutronomy 28:13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:

You’re already starting ahead of the enemy. He is beneath you. It’s not you who should be scared, but rather your adversary.

Step 2: Know The Power of Jesus’ Name

As partakers of Christ Jesus, we are backed by the authority of His name. You, as a royal member of God’s family, have the permission and authority to speak the name of Jesus against any demonic foes you encounter.

Mark 16:7 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils…

The men that challenged these devils, served the same God you serve today.

Luke 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

Step 3: Know God’s Word and Use It

Here is your primary weapon. The Word of God. It is quick, powerful, and fully capable of achieving victory when used properly.

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

To wield this mighty weapon, we need to study it like any good swordsman so it can applied in perfect form when you are in a high stakes duel.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Just to put this into perspective, I would like to share something that may surprise you. Demons know scripture. Want proof? Here goes…

When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness (Matt 4), He was verbally attacked by Satan three times. First, he attacked the physical presence of Jesus because he knew He had been fasting. Jesus responded with His first of three “It is written…” statements, with this one being a reference to Deut 8:3:

Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

When that didn’t work, Satan responded with his own “It is written…” statement.

Matt 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Here Satan was referencing Psalm 91:11. He could do this because he knew what the scripture said, but he was trying to use it out of context. Jesus corrected him with another “It is written…” statement, from Deut 6:16.

Matt 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Of course that didn’t work, so Satan tried to attribute authority to himself and asked Jesus to worship him in exchange for the kingdoms that were presented from the mountain. That attempt failed miserably, and Jesus got rid of Him after one more “It is written…” statement that is from Deut 6:13 and Deut 10:20:

Matt 4:10-11 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. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

So why am I telling you this? Well, this is perhaps one of the greatest examples in God’s Word on how to deal with spiritual wickedness. Jesus had just fasted, and probably was feeling pretty weak physically, but when He applied the Sword of the Spirit, the battle was as good as done. Satan was outmatched and he had no valid argument, so he ended up scurrying away. We have that same Word at our disposable to take down Satan and his minions.

Step 4: Keep Your Focus

When you have an enemy that is cunning, it is important to be diligent in guarding what it is that enemy may be after. If it’s you they’re after, then you really need to be at the top of your game to prevent any surprise attacks.

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Simon Peter, apostle of Jesus, would have known very well, as he was on Satan’s radar.

Luke 22:31-32 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

God’s Word actually encourages us to be like a serpent at times. That should tell us a lot there about the enemy. That one time when we are told to be like a serpent is when it comes down to being wise. If we are to be wise like a serpent, and we are also dealing with an adversary who is a serpent, that should clue us in right there. We are dealing with a beatable foe, but it is a wise foe.

Matt 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Step 5: Give the Battle to God

Demons are creations. They’re not as the Creator created them, but still, at one point before they fell, they were made for a purpose that was good. They managed to twist themselves into something else, but that does not change that they are beneath the Creator. If that were not true, we would not have them lurking about, but they are an already defeated foe that was cast down. They lost their home, and they lack any hope of regaining what they once had.

Rev 12:7-9 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 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.

If they had a chance, that would’ve been it. They lost the battle and their home. They have no hope of a future. They have been defeated already. When you rely on God, they have nothing, as God loves you and will keep you no matter what the enemy tries. He just needs you to be willing to trust in Him.

Romans 8:37-39 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Final Thought

You are a child of God, who has been chosen to sit with Christ Jesus in heavenly places. You are chosen to be the head, and not the tail. You have the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and can be used as an unstoppable spiritual weapon. You were created by the loving hand of the Creator, who gave you a functional mind to think a plan out your life is a way to that victorious.

Your enemy is a foe, that lacks any hope, and has already lost. Their only chance is the one you give them, and even that opportunity will one day fade away from them.

Thank you for reading and God bless.