SCRIPTURES EVIL SPIRITS.

THE TEN SCRIPTURES SATAN HATE MOST

In more than twenty-five years of dealing with demons, I have never encountered an evil spirit that doubted God’s Word.  Satan twists Scripture and misapplies the Bible, but he never doubts the veracity of what God has said. Indeed, “Even the demons believe - and tremble,” James 2:19 tells us.

Satan believes every word in the Bible, but he especially dreads certain passages because these Scripture have a direct bearing on overcoming his strategy to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).  During the hundreds of exorcisms I have conducted, I’ve noticed that certain Bible verse are particularly feared by the forces of darkness. Quoting these scriptures during a demonic confrontation readily illustrates which portions of the Bible are most effective in defeating the attacks of Satan.

I encourage every Christian to memorize these verses.  Have them ready to use in any instance when the devil tempts or oppresses.  Stand on the truth of Scripture, just as Jesus did during the temptation of the devil, when He thrice declared, “It is written!” You can have the same victory over evil that Christ did. Just as “the devil left him” (Matthew 4:11), Satan will also flee from you as you trust in the truth of God’s Word.

1. Luke 10: 19: “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

Satan hates this Scripture because of its assurance that nothing is to be feared when advancing against the enemy. The disciples of Christ had just returned from their first evangelism expedition. During this time of training, the disciples exorcized evil spirits.  Luke 10:17 tells us they rejoiced that demons were subject to them when they used the name of Jesus Christ. Though exorcism had been previously practiced among devout Jews, no one had ever attempted to expel demons by the mention of a name.  Even today, Satan tries to keep God’s people in ignorance of the authority Christ extended to His disciples and to every born again believer.  When we walk in faith and dare to deal with demons, nothing the enemy can do will hurt us. When we shrink back in fear and fail to boldly confront the forces of darkness, we are more susceptible to Satan’s attacks. Use this verse to enforce your authority over Satan.

2. Romans 8:1: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”

Satan hates this Scripture because it liberates God’s people from false self-condemnation.   Intimidation by false guilt is one of the devil’s most frequent tactics. When we ask Christ to forgive our sins, His mercy blots out every transgression. Satan, who is the “accuser of our brethren” (Revelation 12:10) delights in heaping false guilt on forgiven Christians. Those who heed Satan’s word of condemnation can’t fight effectively against satanic forces because they feel unworthy.  But a forgiven Christian cannot be spiritually indicted for any evil he has committed.  Romans 8:1 must be thrown back in Satan’s face as the spiritual anecdote to his judgmental accusations. Use this verse to silence the reproaches of Satan.

3. Philippians 2:9,10: “Therefore God has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth.”

 Satan hates this Scripture because it explains how effectively Christians can enforce the authority invested in the name of Jesus.  This passage establishes the supremacy of Christ’s name.  Angels in heaven, men on earth, and every demon in Hell, all are obligated, by choice or by compulsion, to acknowledge Jesus Christ is Lord.  The sovereign power of God is all-encompassing. His dominion over all forces the demons to flee. Use this verse to demonstrate the might in Christ’s name.

4. 1 John 3:8: “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”

Satan hates this Scripture because it proclaims the eternal victory of Christ over Satan.  Jesus Christ, by his crucifixion and resurrection, conquered death. Thus, Satan, the angel of death and darkness, was defeated.  1 John 3:8 gives every Christian the right to declare a victory which has already been won through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, and His rising from the dead.  Though the devil’s works may appear dreadful, by faith we can perceive them as destroyed. Use this verse to remind demons their power over Christians has been shattered.

5. James 4:7: “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

Satan hates this scripture because he knows if we continue to resist him he will eventually have to give up. Some Christians wrongly assume that this passage of Scripture is enforceable by single declaration of resistance.  The meaning of the verb “resist” is to continue to enforce the authority of God’s Word even when it initially appears that Satan may not obey the command.   Christians need to tell the devil where to go and what to do, and then walk in faith believing he has complied despite appearances to the contrary.  Persistent resistance to Satan brings about the eventual surrender of the devil.  Use this verse to demand that Satan leave you alone.

6. Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Satan hates this Scripture because his evil agenda is defeated when we quote God’s Word in spiritual warfare.  During exorcism I have learned to literally apply this truth. I have actually held a Bible in my hand and waved it in the air as if brandishing a sword. I’ve watched demons duck and swerve to avoid being smitten by the sword of God’s Word.  This literal application in the spiritual realm illustrates how effective God’s Word can be to cut through error and establish the truth.  Because the Word can divide soul and spirit, it is able to reach the heart of unbelievers by separating the condition of their spirit from the lies their soul/mind nature has believed.  Use this verse as an offensive weapon to turn back Satan’s attacks.

7. John 8:32: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Satan hates this Scripture because God’s Word brings true freedom in contrast to the “freedom” of sin that leads to spiritual slavery. Satan is a liar and is referred to in the Bible as the father of lies. Just as Adam and Eve were first tempted with a lie, we too are spiritually misled when we succumb to the falsehood of the enemy.  When we fail to stand on Scripture our thinking can be twisted and we may experience defeat because we believe the lies of the devil instead of the truth that God declares.  Spiritual freedom comes when use this verse to make the devil accountable to God’s truth.

8. John 16:13: “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”

Satan hates this Scripture because he knows Christians can be easily deceived by his lies when they are not spirit-led.  Knowing truth is a consequence of reading, meditating on, and understanding God’s Word.  It also depends on the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.  The ability to discern demonic deception is a spiritual gift that sovereignly comes from God. Many times when battling demons I have prayed that the Holy Spirit would empower me with wisdom to know what to do next. I have seen God miraculously intervene in such circumstances because the Holy Spirit, the spirit of truth, has supernaturally given me direction. Use this verse to seek more of the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life.

9. Isaiah 14:12: “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son on the morning! How you are cut down to the ground.  You who weakened the nations!”

Satan hates this scripture because it reveals the eternal defeat he suffered when he dared to rebel against God. Satan delights in reminding each of us of our sinful past, but he doesn’t want to be reminded of his own past. Chapter fourteen of Isaiah tells us that Satan is a “fallen” being. Though he appears pompous and powerful, the devil forfeited his first estate and now only mimics the glory he had in heaven.  Jesus as Christ was foreordained to trample the devil under his feet (Genesis 3:15). We too can conquer Satan through Christ’s power (“And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.” – Romans 16:20).  Use this verse to put Satan’s power in perspective.

10.  Ephesians 6:11: “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Satan hates this Scripture because he knows the armor of God cannot be penetrated and every tactic of his warfare is useless against it.  Satan has no offense against the defense of God’s armor.  Just as every vital part of the physical body is protected by the accouterments of armor described in Ephesians chapter six, we are also spiritually protected in every aspect of our relationship with Christ when we appropriate this protection.  When I face a difficult spiritual battle, or when I sense I’m under the attack of extreme spiritual oppression, I sometimes stand and go through the motions of putting on God’s armor.  By physically emphasizing what God’s Word says, I demonstrate to the devil how serious I am about protecting myself against his advances. Use this verse to assume a defensive posture when the devil oppresses you.

 FINAL INSTRUCTIONS

These are the Scriptures I have found most helpful to ward off the devil’s attacks.  I encourage you to contemplate other passages which may be equally effective in your own life.   When you discover that the Holy Spirit has used a certain Bible verse to help you overcome evil, note it, write it down on a piece of paper to carry with you, and then memorize it. Have the Word of God with you always to defeat the devil daily, in every way.