Max Lucado - The Devil is a Defeated Devil
Summary:
The preacher emphasizes that the devil is already a defeated foe because Jesus triumphed over him through the cross, stripping Satan of his power and ensuring his ultimate destruction. Drawing from verses like Colossians 2:15, Revelation 12:12, and others, he reminds believers that Satan’s days are numbered and his fury stems from knowing his time is short. Through a vivid story from his friend Carter Conlon about a cornered mouse bluffing kittens, he illustrates how Satan bluffs despite being defeated, and encourages us to resist him confidently using God’s weapons like prayer, worship, and Scripture.
Warm Greeting and Exciting Announcement
From my home to yours, all the very, very best. All the very, very best. Beginning on Monday, September the 14th, we’re going to do something that I think is very special. We’re going to journey through the Gospel of John together. We’re going to base this study in part on my brand new book coming out on September the 14th, entitled You Are Never Alone.
Invitation to Join the Study
We’re going to spend the entire fall walking through the Gospel of John. Again, part of that is based on my new book, and part of it is just based on some other passages in the Gospel of John. I really hope you’ll be a part of it. Now, if you don’t want to get the new book, that’s fine; it’s still going to be a special study. But if you’d like to order the book, of course, you can do that through any place where you order books or buy the book at any bookstore. Now, all that begins on September the 14th. Please circle that date on your calendar.
Today’s Powerful Truth
For today, I want to discuss the power of one of God’s greatest promises: a powerful truth, and that is this: the devil is a defeated devil. The devil is a defeated devil. Can you hang around for a few minutes? If not, I get that. Let us know how to pray before you go. But if you have about ten minutes, I think I can put those ten minutes to really good use with this reminder that the devil is a defeated devil.
Satan’s Defeat in Scripture
He’s defeated. You see, were Satan to read the Bible—something that he is wont to do; he’s loath to do—but were he to read the Bible, he would be utterly discouraged because reference after reference in the great teachings of God tell us that the devil’s days are numbered. Are we not looking forward to his dismissal and destruction? The scripture says, «Having disarmed the powers and authorities, Jesus made a public spectacle of the forces of evil, triumphing over them by the power of the cross.» That’s in Colossians 2:13–15.
Jesus Strips Satan of Power
You see, Jesus strips Satan of every weapon and every tool. He and his minions are being held on a short leash until the final judgment. On that day—this is the great day we’re talking about—Jesus will cast Satan into the lake of fire. He’s going to cast him in, and he will never return. Oh, just look at some promises like 1 Peter 1:4. Evil will have its day, and it will appear to have the sway, but God will have His say and ultimately win the day.
A Barnyard Illustration
Now, I have a good friend, Carter Conlon, who ministers in New York City at the Times Square Church, and he’s been there for over two decades. Yet, he spent many of his early years on a farm, and he recalls a barnyard scene. This barnyard scene truly illustrates the status of Satan. In the barn, there lived a bunch of cats. The mother of these cats would corral a mouse in the field, where she would then taunt and tease the mouse until it was exhausted. Then she would bring the rodent into the barn for the kittens to teach them how to catch and kill it.
The Mouse’s Desperate Bluff
Carter remembers how the mouse, upon seeing the kittens, would rise up on its tiny little hind feet and prepare to fight. The rodent would bear those tiny little yellow teeth and flare its big little claws. Then it attempted a snarl and a hiss. Its only hope was to convince the kittens that it was worth fighting, that it was a formidable foe, that it was something other than what it was—a defeated, wimpy, outnumbered mouse.
Satan’s True Status
You see, it had already lost. The kittens didn’t even have to fight to win the victory. Friends, the devil has lost; Jesus has already defeated the rat of heaven. Now, I encourage you to be alert to the devil, but don’t be intimidated by him. God’s Spirit, who lives in you, is greater than the devil who lives in the world. That’s the promise of 1 John 4:4.
Precious Promises Against Temptation
And isn’t that a precious promise? The scripture says that God is faithful and He’ll not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. Isn’t that a great promise? 1 Corinthians 10:13. «Resist the devil, and he’s going to flee from you, ” James 4:7. You just stand against him, and he will leave. The devil is filled with fury right now because he knows his time is short. That’s a promise from Revelation 12:12.
Putting on God’s Armor
Put on God’s full armor—the scripture says—with the belt of truth tied around your waist and the protection of right living on your chest. On your feet, wear the good news of peace to help you to stand strong. Also, use the shield of faith with which you can stop all the fiery darts—the burning arrows—of the evil one. That’s just kind of a paraphrase of Ephesians 6.
Our Mighty Weapons
Now, these are promises that help us every day. We have conflicts with Satan; every day we have conflicts with his forces. But for that reason, though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but are mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. Circle that one from 2 Corinthians 10:3–4.
Prayer, Worship, and Scripture
Now, what are these weapons? Well, prayer, worship, and scripture. Those are the go-to weapons for the Christian. When we pray, we engage the power of God against the devil. When we worship, we do what Satan hates for us to do—what Satan himself could not do. We place God on the throne, so worship. And when we pick up the scriptures—when we pick up God’s word—we do what Jesus did in the wilderness when he was tempted by the devil.
Truth Defeats the Enemy
You recall, right? He responded to Satan by reciting the truth. And since Satan has this severe allergy to truth, he left Jesus alone. Friend, he’ll do the same with you. God’s victory over Satan is certain; it just falls to us to await to see that victory unfold.
Encouragement and Amen
You hang in there, friend. You hang in there. The devil is a defeated devil because our Lord is a victorious king. Amen.