Keep your perspective of the devil in check.

Have you ever been attacked by the enemy? If you’re breathing you have. I was a few years ago when I started hearing the words I reject Jesus throughout the day. I knew those thoughts weren’t mine, and I knew enough to order the evil spirits to leave me alone. What I didn’t know was how to operate in the authority of Christ. And so the spirits didn’t obey my command.

Matthew 10:16 says, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” We are prey in a world full of predators and to survive, we need to be wise as serpents. A serpent knows how to hide, but it also knows how to fight.

Many of us are ignorant of our authority in Christ. And those who know about their authority are often incompetent in exercising it—like I was. It’s not our fault; we just haven’t been taught or trained. As Christians this training is crucial: Satan is out to destroy us. We have to know how to use our defenses.

Attacks will always come, especially if we’re not wearing the symbol of God’s authority, which I envision as the badge of Christ. Unfortunately, we can’t put it on until unforgiveness is out of our hearts. Our ability to wear His badge will come as we allow God to purify us (more on that another time).

In the meantime, God has also equipped us with a sword—the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. The sword is the power behind the badge. To use the sword effectively, the Word of God has to be firmly fixed in our hearts and spoken boldly.

Sometimes it takes a while to get God’s Word settled in our hearts. It can be hard to believe that God gave “little ole me” authority and power over the devil (Luke 10:19). So how can we speak scripture boldly if we lack the confidence that the power of God resides in us?

I’ll give you an illustration that might help change your perspective. Imagine that as you’re walking to your car, you see the door open and broken glass all around. If a child is standing there with a rock in his hand, you would no doubt grab him and call the police. That’s how we need to see the devil, as a weak and powerless six-year-old. We’ve mistakenly envisioned him as strong and powerful, like a well-trained boxer. So rather than restrain him, we let him take whatever he wants.

The truth is, the devil is not a mighty boxer. He has the power of a small child plus a really big mouth! First 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 walks around like a roaring lion, but he is not a lion. The real Lion is from the tribe of Judah, and He wants to roar in you!

So use the name of Jesus and exercise the authority God has given you in Christ. Draw from the power of God Almighty and boldly speak His word to those weak and powerless demons that disrupt your life.