Defeating the Devil

“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”  (Matthew 16:18)

In ancient times, cities functioned differently than they do now.  Today, you might have a city council that makes all the decisions concerning the running of the town.  Two thousand years ago, all the important decisions were made at the city gates where everyone would pass through to enter or leave. 

That bit of information should change how we think about Jesus’ statement that “the gates of hell” will never be able to destroy the church.  Jesus isn’t just talking about an entrance into hell; He’s talking about the authority structure of hell, namely Satan.

The implication of this is huge!  Remember, the church is actually all believers; God’s children.  So this simply means Satan will never be able to conquer God’s children, the church.  That means that every believer in Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit, has the ability to overcome the evil one!   And God gives us the weapons to accomplish this.

In the summer of 2000, Alice and I began a new outreach into the village of Nenana, Alaska.  It was an exciting time.  A team of youth from Grace Baptist Church in Toccoa, Georgia came up to help go door to door; survey the community, and present the gospel to as many as would listen.  We were told it would be a very difficult mission field, but we did not expect the spiritual warfare we encountered that week. 

I had never had such a personal experience as this before now, but it will forever be burned into my memory.  We had planned a community wide outreach and dinner in the hope of getting some people interested in planting a new church in the village. That evening, God gave us a taste of what He had planned for this new ministry when 130 people out of a village of 420 showed up for food, preaching, and music.  The youth did a terrific job, and the message was powerful.  There were 30 professions of faith that evening and we knew God was working, so we decided to meet again the next morning for another service.

That night, I awoke about 2 am, drenched in sweat.  My mattress and blankets were soaking wet, and I was so weak I could not lift my head even to take a drink of water offered to me by my wife.  I felt sick, and there was a feeling of a great pressure on my chest.  I had no doubt this was a spiritual attack by the evil one to prevent this new work from moving forward.  Satan was trying to discourage us.  Finally, Alice said she was going over to the Bed & Breakfast where the mission team was sleeping, and bring some people back to our cabin to pray for me.  They returned after what seemed like an eternity to me, knelt by my bedside and began to fervently call out to the Lord God to remove the presence that was attacking me, and to heal me.  Immediately, I felt as if a great load was being lifted off me, and I was completely back to normal. No pressure on my chest, no sweating, and my strength was returned.  Praise God for His great mercies and faithfulness!  He always hears and answers our heartfelt prayers.  From that day on, a new church began in that small village.  Some days there as many as 50 people in our small log house, and over the years we ministered there, many young people and adults came to know the Lord Jesus as their Savior.   

Satan is a vengeful being, and does not give up his lost souls without a fight.  But our God is sovereign, and all powerful!  And Satan does not stand a chance in the battle for God’s creation.  

The scriptures remind us to, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.”  (Ephesians 6:10, 11)

So, as you battle daily against the “flaming arrows” of Satan, hold on with unwavering faith, that the power of Christ in you will overcome the enemy at every turn. 

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