TOPIC: Overpowering the strongman
Text: Isaiah 34:4; Matthew 12:29-30
INTRODUCTION : When Adam yielded the authority he was given over to the devil, the devil became resident in man. The bible records that the deeds of man were constantly evil and it repented God that He made man. Cain killed Abel, Esau through his descendants were constantly opposed to God and His people and even in these times men continue to oppose God and His ways. God knew that man could not help himself and so sent His only begotten Son to show us the way to overpower the strongman. He revealed to us in one of the expositions of His authority how we can get rid of the strongman or prevalent force of satan that keeps a man away from the will of God. This prevalent force of satan is assigned to see that believers never achieve the will and purpose of God in their lives. The mode of action is to entrench itself in the life of the person and without the superior power of the Holy Spirit, with the co-operation of the individual, the person remains subjected to it until destruction. This strongman operated in Esau and his lineage until the judgment of God destroyed them for opposing God’s will. May the Lord help us and deliver us from whatever strongman has been assigned against our lives by the evil one in Jesus name.
1.Identifying the strongman: Satan has influence on people and you can easily observe these activities in their behavior and experiences. One’s behavior outside shows which house one comes from. This is the reason it is easy to discern whether it is God’s Spirit of the devil that dwells in a person, or who has authority in their lives. The host of heavens refers to planets and stars frequently associated with pagan gods, spiritual rulers or celestial powers. The bible declares that “by their fruits you shall know them”. This therefore suggests that to correctly identify the strongman groups, a thorough search and discovery about experiences and dreams needs to be done. Usually there are three major strongmen groups identified. They are Jezebel, Anti-Christ and death and hell. They are the group of demonic forces or power of satan having control over the house or domain. They act in consortium and progressively in that the first and front door of attack is under Jezebel. Jezebel controls idolatry, prostitution, witchcraft, false religion, pride etc.; under the anti-Christ you have anger, fear, anxiety, violence, disobedience, rebellion, strife, addiction, deception, confusion, bitterness etc.; the third group is death and hell comprising of sicknesses, diseases, infirmities etc. Jesus gave an insight into the complexities of these demons in the case of the madman of Gadara. Who had a legion of demons in him. No matter the number Jesus has authority and has given us authority to cast them out by His word.
2. Binding the strongman: It is impossible to overcome a strongman without first subduing him. This means to render him powerless. It is authority that was given to satan that enables him to use his power over the one who gave the authority. To whom you yield your authority, to him you have given power over your life (Rom.6:16). When Jesus was challenged and accused of casting out demons by satan, Jesus told them if that was so He would not be able to cast out demons. It was only possible because He was superior and had authority to do so, and had no agreement with satan. Jesus has given that authority to every believer (Lk.10:18-20; Mt. 16:18-19; Mt.18:18-19). It is important for every believer to know they can bind and render the strongman in their lives powerless by revoking whatever authority they have given to them in any area of their lives. This is the area where the breaking of covenants and renunciation of pronouncements made comes into relevance (Gal.3:13-14; Col.2:14-15). Jesus has disarmed the powers and authorities, making a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross (Col.2:15). Satan’s power is counterfeit and whenever believer’s walk in obedience, they are able to defeat powers of darkness and walk in freedom.
3. Freedom from the strongman: Once the believer aligns with God and take back authority by confessing Jesus, God comes into action by showing His power over that of satan. Can plunder be taken from the strongman? Isiaih 49:24-25 answers “I will contend with those who contend with you” This shows that Jesus has the ability to invade all enemy territory and take back what has been taken from His followers. Whatever it is, men, women, children, destinies. Every conversion, every advance of the gospel (Mt.28:18-20) is part of setting men free (Lk.4:18; Eph.4:8) because greater is He that is in the believer (1Jn.4:4). Satan is powerful but not invincible. Jesus is the strongest one and has entered the devil’s domain, bound him by His authoritative and finished work and is now liberating captives. Christ’s victory is decisive and in Him we share authority to see lives set free from satan’s grip.
