2 Corinthians 4:4 (NLT), “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe...”

The Bible tells us the devil has principalities and powers that will do whatever they can to prevent us from walking in the fullness of life Jesus secured for us. John 10:10 calls him a thief who intends to steal, kill, and destroy every good thing God has already provided for us. Jesus legally defeated the devil for us. He triumphed over him and yet he continues to operate illegally. We must stand our ground and enforce his defeat over all that concerns us. Jesus is the head of His church, and He has given us the authority to do just that. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” The devil can only harm the areas of our lives we allow him to. We have the power of the Holy Spirit to resist him and have been authorized to do so. James 4:7-8 says, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Verse 9 of 1 Peter 5 says we are to resist him, being steadfast in our faith! Holding onto what is ours requires faith. 1 Timothy 6:12 says we are to fight the good fight of faith. You see, the devil will continue trying to deceive us into giving up what is ours by birthright. We don’t fight disease or poverty or the devil. We fight doubt and unbelief! The devil’s strategy is to cause pressure in the areas we are standing our ground in. In the area of our finances, he will manipulate circumstances like increases in prices and rates, or unforeseen expenses that suddenly need to be dealt with. Or in the area of our healing, he will cause pain and symptoms in our physical bodies that place a demand on our attention. All these things try our faith. The strategy is to keep us focused on the problem, so we get out of faith and into worry and fear, instead of having a single-minded focus on God’s Word! Today, refuse the distraction, keep your attention fixed on what the Word says is yours, in Christ Jesus. Then stand your ground in that Word. Let faith rise up in your heart as you exercise your authority over the devil and resist him. Let your faith in God’s Word place the devil back in his position of defeat, and release back to you what is already yours.