Satan was like a “strong man.” Yet Jesus claimed to be much stronger. He defeated Satan, and took whatever He wanted from him (Matthew 12:22-29). How did Jesus prove this claim? By publicly defeating the forces of Satan! He could do this because “demons”—the evil spirits who serve Satan—were working in a very bold and open way. (Compared with the Old Testament, the New Testament shows much more clear activity from demons.) They even controlled some people. They caused much harm to those in whom they lived.
On the east side of Lake Galilee there is a place of caves and graves. There Jesus met a man called “Legion.” He was so named because “many” evil spirits lived in him. He kept crying out and cutting his naked body. The demons in him recognized and feared Jesus. They made the man shout,
“What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment [cause great pain to] me” (Luke 8:28).
Jesus ordered them to come out of the man. The demons obeyed at once. The local people were amazed when they saw the man called Legion “sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind” (Luke 8:35). As Jesus travelled He met many more people who had demons. He always had mercy on them. He always healed them and forced the spirits to leave them.
And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” (Luke 4:36).
God anointed [blessed] Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed [hurt] by the devil, for God was with him (Acts 10:38).
Jesus shared with His people the power to defeat Satan. He proved this by giving to those with Him power for miracles and casting out demons (Matthew 10:1; Luke 10:19; Mark 16:17). They too had the same success, except for one time when Jesus said they had too little faith (Matthew 17:14-21). After that lesson, every other act of working miracles was successful. When seventy disciples came back from their preaching journeys, they joyfully said to Jesus,
“Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven” (Luke 10:17-18).
Now no force can control God’s people against their will. Nothing can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38-39). Christians continue to win their struggles against “the powers of this dark world.” They do this by using the mighty strength of Jesus.
And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 5:4-5).
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might… In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one (Ephesians 6:10-12,16).
ERV for Ephesians 6:16: Use the shield of faith. With that you can stop all the burning arrows of the Evil One.