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How to Overcome Satan

Revelation 12:11

The martyrs overcame Satan, even in their death. In other words, they were willing to die for their faith in Christ. The way they overcame the devil is the same way we must overcome him today. Overcoming is mentioned seven times in Revelation 2-3 where Christ addressed the churches. We are still responsible today for overcoming the attacks and slanders and temptations of the devil. We overcome three ways:

By the blood of the Lamb.The animal that was dangerous enough when he roamed through the whole forest is now limited to a stockade, where, mad with the restrictions which he sees around him, and raging because he feels the end near, he throws the insane strength of the death struggle into all his movements.

By the word of our testimony. The martyrs in Revelation, indeed martyrs throughout history, have been killed because they wouldn't keep quiet about their faith. Those who are bold enough and faithful enough to testify for Christ will overcome the devil.

By loving God more than life itself. No one can say they have overcome the devil if they deny Christ in order not to be killed. The promise of eternal life means little to one who would fight to keep hold of earthly life. History is filled with the accounts of those who did not love their lives to the death: The Bohemian Reformer Jan Hus, the church father Jerome, the Swiss Reformer Felix Manz, the writer and preacher John Bunyan, and the five young missionaries who were murdered in Ecuador by the very Auca Indians they were trying to reach with the Gospel. All of these, and many more, have lived their lives not fearing death or the devil.

Satan cannot overcome people who have no fear of death. They are free to live their lives in complete obedience to the Lord because Satan has no power to separate them from the love of Christ (Romans 8:38-39).

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