Our Spiritual Battles Continue

THE RESISTANCE TO DEMONIC POWER - CH 4
Biblical Defense Against Demonic Activity

Definitions:
The word "possession" is not found in the Greek New Testament. But we understand the use of this word. The one being possessed belongs completely to the one who possesses. His faculties are under control of another. In this sense, a born again believer cannot be possessed. But we can be attacked, oppressed and influenced. Paul was (1 Corinthians 12:7), as well as Peter (Luke 22:31), Job (Job 2:7), Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:9).

Demons can quote Scripture... Matthew 4:6
They can transform themselves into angels of light... 2 Corinthians 11:14
They can torment physically... 2 Corinthians 12:7
They can paralyze Christian activity... I Corinthians 5:5
They can cause impure thoughts.. .2 Corinthians 7:3
They can tempt by pride., .1 Timothy 3:6
They can seduce by worldly pleasures...1 Timothy 3:14-15
They can persecute.. Revelation 2:10
They can corrupt the thought process.. .2 Corinthians 11:3
They can lie...1 Thessalonians 2:9
They can set traps.. .2 Timothy 2:6

Doctrine:
A truly born-again believer cannot be possessed because of the following in the Word of God. If we base what we believe on experiences instead of Biblical doctrine we can go far afield. There is a similitude between demon possession of a non-believer and the attacks on a child of God, but that does not permit the affirmation that a truly born-again Christian can be possessed. Here are some Biblical proofs:

Security of the Believer.. Romans 8:38-39
Sovereignty of God...1 John 5:18
Sealed by the Spirit.. .Ephesians 1:13
Sufficiency of Christ's Blood...Revelation 12:11
Seated in Heavenly Places... Ephesians 2:6
Situation as God's Children. ..2 Corinthians 6:15
Superior as to Judge them...1 Corinthians 6:3; Romans 16:20
And 1 John 4:
4You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

SUBMISSION... RESISTANCE.. VICTORY
James 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you!" 1Peter 5:6-10 "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God. ...Whom resist stedfast in the faith. ..the God of all grace will make you perfect, stablish. strengthen, settle you!' The Biblical way to defend yourself is evident. It is not binding Satan, being slain in the Spirit or receiving the laying on of hands. It is to submit to God, resist the devil and victory is assured by the flight of the devil and the uplifting power of the Lord.
SUBMISSION
All obstacles to a complete submission to God must be confessed, submitted and taken away. All sins must be confessed and abandoned. All bad attitudes and thoughts have to be purified by the blood of Jesus. The human will must be surrendered to God's will. All cares and worries of this life have to be cast upon God (1 Peter 5:8). Everything has to be in accord to His will. A partial submission is not enough. It is useless to resist until one is completely submitted to God. Deuteronomy 18:18; Luke 14:10; Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 2:20.
RESISTANCE
The Word of God does not teach that we can bind Satan. Jesus did teach in a parable that a strong man must be bound before you can take his house, but this is a parable. He also gave apostolic power only to his apostles to be able to bind things on the earth. But the weight of the New Testament is resisting and not binding. Here are 7 authorities in the New Testament by which we can resist:

The Name of Jesus Christ...Luke 10:17-18; 1 John 4:2-3; 1 Corinthians 12:15
The Blood of Jesus Christ.. Revelation 12:11; John 12:31-33; 16:11; Colossians 2:1 5
The Word of God.. .Luke 4:11-13; Mark 1:12-13; Matthew 4:1-11
Faith in the Lord.. .1 Peter 5:9; Ephesians 6:12
Prayer in His Name.. Matthew 17:21; 18:19-20; Mark 9:29
Fasting for God...Matthew 17:21; 16:17-18; 1 Corinthians 7:5
The Holy Spirit... 1 John 4:4; Matthew 12:28

Deliverance from demonic holds for the Christian is altogether different than
the exorcism of a possessed non-believer. According to the Word of God it is
simply resisting in a state of submission. God then gives the victory. Victory
is assured because God has said so!
VICTORY
God will cause the devil "to flee from us"! He promised that after humbling ourselves, resisting with a steadfast faith that He would perfect us, stablish us,
strengthen us and settle us! What a victory! This victory comes from God.
Deliverance depends on Him! Luke 10:19-20

And tho this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us. We will not fear, for God hath willed his truth to triumph thru us. The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him. His rage we can endure for lo! His doom is sure. One little word shall fell him! …Martin Luther