Overcoming Satan

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The Satan plan was to destroy Jesus since His conception so that God's divine decree would not come to pass. We can be assured that as Jesus suffered in this world . . . so will we as children of the Most High. Attempting to overcome the Evil One on a daily basis will give way to constant defeat. It is ONLY through the indwelling of the Godhead are we able to gain victory; and all other methods will result in utter defeat.

Paul says to the Thessalonians that as believers "That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto." (1 Thes. 3:3-4), and in my observation and experience the only question is the form these will take, different, it seems, for different believers at different times. Paul also tells Timothy that "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Tim. 3:12). I do know that whatever we are going through, Jesus Christ is all-sufficient to carry us through it unharmed and victorious through our afflictions (Job 23:10; Deut. 8:2; Ps. 34:19; 66:10; 119:67,71; cf. Isa. 26:9; Rom. 5:3; 2 Cor. 4:8-11; 12:9-10; 2 Tim. 2:9-10; 1 Pet. 1:7; Rev. 2:10). The Lord never places on us anything we are not capable of taking. Though it may seem so at times, we have it from Him that we can indeed bear up under anything He allows to come our way (1 Cor. 10:13). So from the divine point of view, exceptional testing is really a compliment (as it was in the case of Job). Our part is to respond to the test in faith.
 
1. Have nothing to do with the devil. The Bible tells us everything we need to know about Satan and how he figures in God's plan for us (1 Chron. 21;1; 2 Cor. 2:11; cf. Gen. 3:1-4; 2; Zech. 3:1; Matt. 4:1-3; Jn. 8:44; 13:2; 2 Cor. 12:7; Eph. 2:2; Thess. 2:9-11; 1 Pet. 5:8; Rev. 2:10). Beyond all argument, he is of very little account when it comes to the "nuts and bolts" of how we are to live our lives. We cannot see him or his demons; we therefore are completely dependent upon God and God's resources to be protected from him and his demons (Isa. 41:10; 54:17; 2 Sam. 22:3-4; Ps. 91:1-16; Prov. 19:23; Rom. 12:19; 2 Tim. 4:18; 2 Thess. 3:3; Jas. 4:7). Since God is all-sufficient in this as in every other way, and since we could do nothing further about the unseen nature of the conflict that surrounds us anyway, our role is to continue to fight the fight on our own battlefield without any care or concern for things beyond our ken (cf. Ps. 1:1-6; 86:11; Prov. 16:3; Isa. 26:3; Rom. 8:5; 12:2; 1 Cor. 10:31; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Thess. 5:17; Col. 2:6-8; 3:2,23-24; Heb. 2:1; 10:23; 12:1-2). That is to say, we are to keep our focus here, not on the devil. So I counsel all my brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ not to engage with the devil on the devil's turf and terms. Do not curse the devil; do not address the devil; as far as it is possible, do not even be concerned about the devil -- but be "sober" at all times (cf. Zech. 3:2; Matt. 6:13; Eph. 6:10; 1 Cor. 10:13; Jas. 1:12; 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:8; Jude 1:9). After all, we have our hands full here on earth dealing with his lies and the opposition of his earthly minions. That is where our fight is, right here with things we can actually see.

2. Keep fighting the fight on the Lord's terms (Ex. 15:2; Isa. 12:2; 45:24; 48:17-18; Neh. 8:10; Jer. 16:19; Hab. 3:19; Ps. 5:8; 25:9; 28:8; 32:8-9; Prov. 3:5-6; Jn. 10:3-4). Prayer is important, and it may well be that your particular gift and calling is indeed to do battle in this fight first and foremost by means of prayer. If that is the case, then I commend you to it doubly (cf. Col. 1:9; Matt. 6:9-13; 21:22; Jn. 9:31; Phil. 4:19; Jas. 1:5; 4:3; 1 Jn. 5:14). Please do keep in mind, however, that all effective ministry is a function of prior spiritual growth and spiritual progress (Job 17:9; Rom. 5:3-5; 8:28-29; 1 Cor. 3:1-3; 13:11; 2 Cor. 9:10; Eph 4:15; Phil. 1:6; 2:13; Col. 1:10; 1 Thess. 3:12; Heb. 6:1; Jas. 1:2-4; 1 Pet. 2:1-3; 2 Pet. 1:5; 3:18; 1 Jn. 1:7-9). The more we dedicate ourselves to growing up spiritually through hearing and believing and applying the truth of the Word of God (Rom. 13:14; Eph. 5:8; Col. 3:16; 1 Tim. 4:16; 1 Cor. 4:16; Heb. 12:1; Jas. 1:22-25; 2 Pet. 1:3-4,10; 1 Jn. 1:7), the more effective our personal ministries will be. Whatever happens, let nothing keep you from your own Bible reading and from accessing whatever teaching ministry you have been led to. The truth is the ammunition the Spirit uses in this fight, and He does not use what is not there (in our hearts). Spiritual growth is the prerequisite for spiritual progress and test-passing (cf. Jas. 1:2-3,12; 1 Cor. 3:12-15; 2 Cor. 13:5; Gal. 6:4; 1 Pet. 1:7; cf. 1 Jn. 4:1), and together these form the foundation for all effective ministry which is in turn the basis for our eternal rewards. Let nothing dissuade you from the daily, consistent, determined, joyful prosecution of this fundamental part of our "fight" here in the devil's world.
 
He that [overcometh] shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. (Revelation 21:7)
For whatsoever is born of God [overcometh the world]: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:4)

3. The verb "overcometh" (Grk. νικάω -- nikao) is in the [present active indicative]; and it refers to an ongoing action of the one who continually "CONQUERS" the world system. It isn't through our OWN strength that we overcome the world; rather it is through CHRIST dwelling in us (Matt. 16:18; Jn. 16:33; Rom. 8:37; 12:1; 16:20; 1 Cor. 15:55-57; 2 Cor. 2:14; 1 Jn. 2:13-14; 5:4-5; Rev. 2:7,11,17,26; 3:5,12,21; 12:11; 15:2; 21:7). Put your head down and keep pushing forward, and, as far as it is possible, don't even give the evil one the satisfaction of a second thought. 

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. (Ephesians 4:27)

God Bless!