Wednesday, February 11, 2009

I? rebuke you Satan?

I decided to write on the topic of people rebuking the devil(Satan). I have heard of people rebuking Satan and no matter what happens negetively in their life, it is the devil! So the answer: rebuke the devil! I don't think so. I am going to dig into scripture to see what the Bible says about this topic. Should we rebuke Satan? Lets find out!

First off, I just want to raise the question about Satan. Can Satan be everywhere at once(omnipresent)? Satan is a fallen angel (Rev 12:9). We know from the bible that angels are powerful. Also, Satan is called the prince of this world (John 21.31). As Christians, what do we do about this? Does the bible tell us to rebuke the devil and do battle with him mono-e-mono? Praise the Lord NO!

The devil has power abslutely. Just look at the sinful world we live in. A few verses came to mind:

1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?

These two verses really help me understand that God is greater than Satan and if God is for us(believers), who can be against us? Did you notice that Rom 8:31 is in reference to Gods power and not ours. Just because God is for us does not mean that by our own might we are ready to do battle against Satan, demons, or the spiritaul realm. If it is you(me) against the devil by our own power, we are going to loose.

God limits Satans power and God will allow Satan to do certain things in this world. Will God allow Satan to test believers? Absolutely. The book of Job is a great story in how a man that was walking with the Lord was tested, it was said that Job was blameless (Job1:1). In Job Chapter 1, notice that Satan and his demons have access to Heaven and to God (Job1:6). God and Satan are having a conversation about Job. Satan try's to tell God that Job only follows God because He has blessed Job. God allows Satan to test Job but only allows Satan to do certain things (Job1:12). Chapter 1 and 2 go on to tell the story about God allowing Satan to test Job. When it looks like Job has been cursed by God, Job still did not blame God (Job1:22). Satan continues to test Job in Chapter 2 and God allows it. Job continued to love the Lord and in the end of the book of Job, God blessed Job with two fold what he had before (Job42:10). Why did God allow this? He was doing a work in Job all along to bless him in the end. Job had no idea that a conversation was going on with Satan and God about him. God allowed it to happen in the end to further bless Job, build his faith, let Satan fail, and for God himself to get the glory.

That was only one example of how God will allow us believers to be tested and God will allow us to be tested by satan. The Bible speaks about this subject many times and all you have to do is read your bible for more examples.

So God allows Satan to test believers. Job not once rebuked Satan. Job's friends were trying to convince him of many reason of why he was going through a bad season (if you will). God in the end told Job his friends were wrong.

So what? Job didn't rebuke Satan big deal. Maybe he should of! If that is what you are thinking, I want to draw your attention to the book of Jude. This is powerful 1 chapter book. Read it slowly! Jude 1:9 But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!". Wow. That is powerful.

Michael, a big huge powerful archangel, a warrior angel, is having a conversation with Satan over the body of Moses and did not dare rebuke Satan but said, "The Lord rebuke you". If you didn't know, angel are more powerful than us and Michael is probably one of the most powerful warrior angels. Even he understands that it is not by his own power but by the Lord's power.

So if we cannot rebuke the devil by our own power what do we do? I would suggest that do not be children of darkness but be children of light. Too many christians focus on the devil and "I rebuke you satan!". I would suggest focussing on the Lord. Here is some scripture to help you out.

James 4:7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Eph 5:8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light

The answer is always the Lord. Submit to God and His Word and He will be faithful. Eph 6:12 tell us:

Eph 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world force of this darkness, against spiritual {forces} of wickedness in the heavenly {places}.

So oh no! The bible tells us not to rebuke Satan but that we struggle against dark spiritual forces. That simply means that some things that are going on in our life might have a spiritual significance in the spiritual realm in eternity or things that we cannot comprehend or understand. Need an example? Just like in the book of Job. Job didn't have a clue what was really going on.

What should we do? There could be spiritual things going on that I cannot comprehend, I cannot rebuke the devil/demonic forces, I am powerless, and subject to the be crushed if I am left to defend myself by my own power.

The answer: Jesus!

For our power and might does not come from ourselves but from God. Just as Michael the archangel's power came from the Lord and not himself. I want to leave you with letter you know how to combat spiritual attacks.

Put on the armor of God!

Eph 6:10-19
V10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armory of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view be on alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19

What is the Armor of God?
Belt of truth (v14) - Commit to live your life God's way.
Breastplate of Righteousness (v14) - Live holy today.
Shoes of the Gospel of Peace (v15) - Relish our peace with God.
Sheild of Faith (v16) - Unwavering trust in His Word and promises.
Helmet of Salvation (v17) - Looking to the future in Heaven.
Sword of the Spirit (v17) - Thorough the understanding of God's word.

How do you put on the armor? V18-19 Prayer! Pray for the spiritual needs of others and the evangelistic efforts of other believers!

In a spiritual battle put on the Armor of God and who is victorious in a spiritual battle? V10 The Lord fights victoriously and Satan does not listen to us. Notice our power comes from the Lord and by his might we are victorious.

In the end, whatever you are going through, put on the armor of God, pray, read your bible, give all the glory to God.

Give glory to the Lord,
do all things unto the Lord, and
praise his name in all things!


Mike

22 comments:

Patricia Fero Bowerman said...

I am so grateful, truly thankful for this..I had been so taught to rebuke the devil and all his evil spirits in Jesus' name !! this here is so very much needing to be posted on Facebook for public to see !! Is there some way that this could be done ??

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this, sir. I only ask, do you mean it is never a good idea to utter a rebuke? Even in the Lord's name? Most churchgoers rebuke the devil and his own in the Lord's name. Such as, "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus." I am definitely fighting a spiritual battle right now. And have been since I was a child. I know that there are demons involved because of things I have seen and experienced. And I was always under the impression, and it has worked on occasion, that you are to rebuke demons in the Blood of The Savior or in The Father's name. Is this wrong then to do? Even when they are physically and mentally attacking you? The Savior did say there would be those that would be able to cast out demons or I guess contend with demons in his name. Is there a process for that besides believing in The Father and The Son? I have always understood it is not by my own power, and I always rebuke in the name of either The Father or The Son. But this leaves me somewhat confused.

Anonymous said...

Acts 16:16-18 "(16)And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:(17)The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of The Most High God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.(18)And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of 'Jesus Christ' to come out of her. And he came out the same hour."
We as temporal beings have no authority of our own power. But there IS power in The Son's name. No, we should not make rebuking the devil our main focus. We should make our ways strait and resist the devil's wiles. But preaching not to rebuke in The Father's name...Or The Son's name is...I believe counterproductive. And only helps the devil. We ARE to refer the power of rebuking to THE MOST HIGH. And we do that by...When we feel the wiles of the devil creeping in...Praying to The Lord for strength to resist...And for HIM to push back the powers of darkness from our hearts and minds. John 16:13 "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." I think this answers the question of why Michael did not bring against satan "a reviling accusation." Michael does not fear satan because of some hierarchal reckoning. Man has a caste system...Not our sovereign Lord. Michael feared The Creator...Who tells a man...Or an angel what to say. Proof of consequences of not heeding verbal instruction is in the very story of 'Moses.' He failed to give Yahweh the praise and was forbidden from seeing the Promised Land. Had Michael spoken of his own accord, he would have been guilty of the same error as satan. Disobedience by way of pride. And what room would he have had to speak then? Do not give satan's ego anymore of a boost. His downfall is proof of how big it is already.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I agree with the last poster! Thank you for this confirmation in the bible to correct the article above. Satan definitely doesn't need an ego boost! I wish that article could be deleted. But since it may not be, I hope anyone who reads this, will read the comment above me. Thank you Lord Jesus Christ for giving us authority in Your Holy Name!

Anonymous said...

(Mark 16:15-18)

sums this whole theory in one on how I feel this is wrong

Dominica Harper said...

I really needed this word. I actually took notes And copied the selected bible scriptures in this word. I enjoyed it and it was definitely fruit to my spirit.
Sincerely

newcreationtom said...

Those that believe in rebuking satan are mostly within the charismatic movement. those that believe in signs and wonders are big on rebuking satan, for sure! And, those that believe that the sign gifts are for today!!

newcreationtom said...
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newcreationtom said...
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Stephanie Nicole said...

The Bible does not give Christians the authority to rebuke the devil, but to resist him. James 4:7 says to "submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Zechariah 3:2 tells us that it is the Lord who rebukes Satan. Even Michael, one of the most powerful of the angels, did not dare to accuse Satan, but rather said, "The Lord rebuke you" (Jude 1:9). In response to Satan's attacks, a Christian should appeal to Christ. Instead of focusing on defeating the devil, we should focus on following Christ (Hebrews 12:2) and trust that He will defeat the forces of evil.

It is not necessary for a Christian to rebuke Satan because God has given us His full armor to stand against evil (see Ephesians 6:10-18). The most effective weapons we have against the devil are our faith, wisdom, and knowledge about God and His Word. Christ, when tempted by Satan, answered him with Scripture (see Matthew 4:1-11). To gain victory in spiritual matters, we must maintain a clear conscience and have control over our thoughts. "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

Janice said...

I do not see how the article above gives Satan power or would feed his ego.(as 2 letters above imply) I believe that those who feel the need to rebuke or speak to Satan are the ones who give him more power and feed his ego. Jesus has defeated Satan. "It is finished". Christ defeated him at the cross. He has no power over us as long as we submit our lives to Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. As the letter above states, we have the full armor of God to withstand any of Satan's schemes. Our focus should always be on Christ and serving His purpose-not on Satan. What if God is allowing Satan to test us as He did Job? Job was correct in acknowledging that God is in control of everything so he did not blame Satan (or rebuke him) for the terrible circumstances that he was experiencing. Instead he trusted God and said "shall we accept good from God and not trouble?"(Job 2:10) God is in control of everything. Satan is on a leash and can only do things that God allows him to do. Psalm 22:28 says Dominion belongs to the Lord. Lamentations 3:37 says, Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it? Ephesians 1:11 says that God works everything in conformity to the purpose of His will. My point is that God is in complete control of everything so we need not fear Satan or even rebuke him. As the article says, we should pray-submit to God and resist the devil and he will flee from us.(James 4:7) Our focus should be on God and His power in us as we submit fully to Him and put on the full armor that He provides as shown in Ephesians 6:10-18, not on Satan. Satan has already been defeated at the cross. Praise the Lord!

newcreationtom said...

You are right on, Janice! Job summed it all up in Job 23:10--"For He knows the way I take, and when He has tried me I shall come forth as gold!!" The Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect us from the evil one!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for all these indepth comments based on God's word. I am studying spiritual warfare and how to pray as a Believer in Jesus Christ. I totally believe we have no business rebuking or condemning Satan.But I can rebuke the spirit of any sickness,demonic attacks set against me in Jesus Name. I believe in the power of the blood of Jesus...the power of the word of God...and anointing (yes,using olive oil)to pray. Jesus answers 'cause faith and the will of God works hand in hand!
Seek the face of God,pray in the power of the Holy Spirit. Listen and obey.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for all these indepth comments based on God's word. I am studying spiritual warfare and how to pray as a Believer in Jesus Christ. I totally believe we have no business rebuking or condemning Satan.But I can rebuke the spirit of any sickness,demonic attacks set against me in Jesus Name. I believe in the power of the blood of Jesus...the power of the word of God...and anointing (yes,using olive oil)to pray. Jesus answers 'cause faith and the will of God works hand in hand!
Seek the face of God,pray in the power of the Holy Spirit. Listen and obey.

Anonymous said...

Luke 10:17-19

17 Then the seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”

18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

jjmuralman said...

Brother, I hear the heart of God in this message. It is obvious no man taught you these things.

jjmuralman said...

Brother, I hear the heart of God in this message. It is obvious no man taught you these things.

Rev. J. Snow said...

Jesus gives the Christian lisence to cast out devils in His name through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus says: "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.

Matthew 10:1
Verse Concepts
Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.

Mark 3:15
Verse Concepts
and to have authority to cast out the demons.

Mark 16:17
Verse Concepts
"These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues;

Mark 6:13
Verse Concepts
And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them.

Acts 8:7
Verse Concepts
For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed.

Acts 16:18
Verse Concepts
She continued doing this for many days. But Paul was greatly annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!" And it came out at that very moment.

Acts 19:12
Verse Concepts
so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out.

Matthew 7:22
Verse Concepts
"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'

Mark 9:38
Verse Concepts
The Bible says that the Christian is to "submit to God and resist the c devil, and He will flee..." and how is one to resist te devil? In one's mind? Satan cannot read one's mind, so one way to resist him is to use your mouth to rebuke him in Jesus name. When you are doing this, it is the Holy Spirit within you rebuking satan. Another way to rebuke satan is use the Sword of the Spirit against him, by quoting it out loud as Jesus did during the wilderness temptation. The Sword is the Bible. The Bible tells we Christians, "whatever you bind in heaven shall be bound on earth and whatever you loose in heaven shall be loosed on earth." And Jesus tells us, "behold I give you power to tread on serpents, scorpions and over all power of the enemy...." In these verses we can see that we can bind satan because we have authority over him in JESUS' name, not our name. The reason Michael the archangel did not rebuke satan was because he did not have the authoritu to do so at that momment, but we do have the authorty to rebuke satan because Jesus has given us the authority and His own power to do this since His own Spirit dwells within us. "..no ye not that ye are the temple.." Since Jesus rebuked devils and then commanded us to do so, (which is in the first verse of my post), and since the disciples did so, it is very clear that Christians havethe power and spiritual authority to rebuke satan. Jesus works through His people. We are Christ's hands extended. Jesushealed the sick and cast out devils. He also said, "greater things than these shall ye do, because I go to the Father." This is because He sends us the Holy Spirit who indwells the believer, and this is why the Christian can cast out demons, because Jesus does His work through the Christian.

Anonymous said...

Satan and Demons are not the same. Satan is an Angel.

Beverly said...

Water
Is
A
Blessing
AMEN

Karlos Cueva said...

Great topic and well explained. I only have a comment to make on what you quoted at the begging... "First off, I just want to raise the question about Satan. Can Satan be everywhere at once(omnipresent)? Satan is a fallen angel (Rev 12:9). We know from the bible that angels are powerful."
I read Rev 12:9 and it says NASB "And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who decieves the whole world;" up to this point its describing Satan by different titles/names, but it does not say that he is an angel!
It continues saying "...he was thrown down to earth, and his angels were thrown down with him."
I don't see in this scripture describing Satan as an "angel"! Can you please help understand where does scripture says that Satan is an angel?
Thank you and God bless you.

Anonymous said...

Yes Satan is an Angel. He used to be called angel of light (Lucifer in modern language) and the name Satan was given to him later after his rebellion. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer