Satan is a cruel, merciless being. He doesn’t care if you are 3 years old or 93. His ambition is to steal, kill and destroy, and he will do it if you let him. Satan will pressure you into acting on fear and then condemn you for it. He will push you into a corner until you act on his demands, and then he’ll bring you under condemnation and use it against you as long as you let him.
You need to realize that one thing leads to another when you cooperate with Satan. He will try to get you in deeper and deeper. He doesn’t play fair. You have to get to a place where you refuse to act on fear. Don’t cooperate with doubt. Don’t cooperate with despondency. Refuse to act on Satan’s demands. The following is biblical truth about how to respond when Satan attacks.
1. Make a Decision to Stand in Faith
When you make a decision to stand in faith, Satan will challenge you. Satan wants to steal the Word of God out of your mouth. If he can steal the Word, he can steal the promise. That’s the only way he can gain access to you. If you make up your mind ahead of time that you are not going to allow Satan to change your confession of faith, you won’t have such a struggle. But if you wait until he’s caught you off guard, you may have a mess to clean up, and while you’re doing that, he gains ground.
Have a strong will against the devil—strong purpose, intention and determination. Have bulldog faith, and keep the Word of God in your mouth—no matter what. Make a decision to stand and not be moved. As a result, you will be able to accomplish God’s will and receive what was promised.
2. Resist the Devil
James 4:7 (KJV) tells us what to do when the devil is lurking in the shadows of our lives: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” How do you resist him? Gloria Copeland says, “You resist him with the words of your mouth—the same way you submit to him.”
If you have submitted yourself to God’s Word, then you need to refuse to receive or give thought to anything that the devil throws your way. Gloria Copeland reminds us, “Your words either defeat you, or bring you victory.”
Go for victory! Watch your words. It’s the best way to resist the devil.
3. Give Your Attention to God’s Word
When Satan attacks, his main purpose is to divert your attention away from God’s Word and over to your circumstances. That’s why Proverbs 4:20-23 says this:
“My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
Give your attention to the Word of God—it will give you peace, guidance and wisdom in times of trial. Gloria Copeland says, “The more attention you give God’s Word, the easier the other steps will be in resisting Satan’s attacks.”
4. Count It All Joy
This is a tough one because trials and attacks don’t feel joyful! But, there is a secret power in enduring through trials.
James 1:2-4 says: “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”
What happens when we count it all joy and endure with patience?
“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12.)
When you trust in God’s covenant to provide what you need, you will be blessed! And, as Gloria Copeland has learned, “When you prove to Satan enough times that you will not compromise God’s Word, he will stay out of your way.”
Yes, you can learn how to respond when Satan attacks! You don’t have to sit idly by waiting for something to change. Make a decision to stand in faith, resist the devil, give your attention to God’s Word, and count it all joy when enduring trials. When you do, you will come out the victor and take all the spoils with you. Remember, the enemy has already been defeated—now go remind him of it!
Watch as Kenneth Copeland teaches more about how to Take Your Authority Over the Devil.