[x_custom_headline type=”left” level=”h4″ looks_like=”h4″]What a jerk! A complete lawless, lying, cheating, stealing pig is what he is. And no, I am no referring to one of your co-workers or one of your neighbors down the street. I am referring to the defeated one, the devil himself.[/x_custom_headline]
I was recently reading and studying from the second chapter of the book of Colossians. In this chapter we find that there are false teachers peddling their false doctrines, which are all inspired by the devil and evil spirits to sidetrack the people of God. You see, the Bible teaches us that Satan and his devilish forces band together to commit acts of aggression against the Church, which includes you and me of course, through any number of methods.
However, there is much, much more to the story. Because we also find in the second chapter of the book of Colossians that Jesus “spoiled” the devil and his hordes.
[x_blockquote cite=”Colossians 2:15 KJV” type=”left”]“And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”[/x_blockquote]
The word “spoiled” means to disarm someone, and to plunder their goods.
Additionally, when Jesus “spoiled” the devil, it means that He stripped off his clothing and weaponry, and removed his authority and power. He then made him a public spectacle of defeat and downright embarrassment.
[x_custom_headline type=”center” level=”h3″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”true”]THUGS AND BANDITS[/x_custom_headline]
[x_blockquote cite=”Luke 10:18-19 KJV” type=”left”]“18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”[/x_blockquote]
Just like there are criminals in our land who refuse to submit to the laws of our nation, evil spirits continue to roam around the earth wreaking havoc on humanity. But this will only change when a born again, Spirit-filled believer decides to stand up and use their God-given authority to put a stop to it in their own life.
Jesus has already stripped them of their power and authority, now we must take a stand and enforce their defeat.
In addition to the word “spoiled” which I explained above, I would also like to draw your attention to another word and a phrase found in Colossians 2:15 that further explains the devil’s defeat.
The word I want to focus on is the word “openly.” The word openly means boldness and confidence. And here is why that is so important to understand.
You see, Jesus’ victory over Satan and his hosts was no quiet event. He boldly, confidently and loudly exposed and displayed the devil’s total defeat to the Heavenly host.
When Jesus made a “show of them openly,” it must have been an awesome show to behold! How completely embarrassing it must have been to the devil, with all of the bragging he had done in Heaven prior to his being cast out from there, as we read above in Luke 10:18-19. But then through Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, he was utterly defeated and beaten. How ridiculous he must have looked to all those looking on as Jesus put Satan’s defeat on display.
And now the phrase I want to draw your attention to in Colossians 2:15 is, “Triumphing over them in it.” This is an extremely significant phrase as I will explain below, and tell you what that phrase actually means.
In the Greek this phrase describes an emperor or general returning home after a spectacular defeat of an enemy. The emperor or general would ride into town on his horse along with those in his victorious army. The parading army would ride along past the cheering crowds who came out to celebrate the triumphant army and the enemy’s defeat.
As the parade continued, all of the spoils, the weapons and treasures seized from the enemy, were displayed for all to see.
And then finally, the defeated enemy ruler, who was beaten and bound in chains, was forced to walk in embarrassment and shame as the crowds of people came to celebrate his defeat and to gawk at this once powerful ruler, who now went before them in disgrace, utterly powerless.
[x_custom_headline type=”center” level=”h3″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”true”]YOU MUST RESIST HIM[/x_custom_headline]
[x_blockquote cite=”James 4:7 KJV” type=”left”]“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”[/x_blockquote]
We see in this passage that it is your personal responsibility to resist the devil. Jesus has given us, the Church, the authority to use His Name. But He will not resist the devil for us, we must do that.
The Complete Word Study Dictionary defines “flee” as: “To flee, to run or move hastily from danger because of fear.”
Remember, Jesus has spoiled Satan. So then he can’t take any authority in your life unless you relinquish it to him. Unless you use your authority in Christ Jesus and take a stand against the devil when he comes against your life, then nothing will be done about it.
Jesus has already done His part, now you must do your part. You have the authority on the earth through the powerful name of Jesus! Use your authority as a born again child of God, and stop tolerating the works of the enemy in your life. Continue to embarrass the devil by enforcing his defeat in your life every day.