To go through life without realizing there is both a negative and a positive spiritual force in the world leads to disaster, disappointment, and depression. We must understand the spiritual world.

In this lesson, based on Lesson 13 of our syllabus (page 35), we look at Christ and His Relationship with Demons. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus was in constant confrontation with the devil and demons. This warfare was both indirect and direct.

Indirect Warfare

Satan repeatedly used human agents and circumstances to attempt to destroy Jesus before His ministry could be completed:

The Slaughter of the Babes in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16): The devil inspired King Herod to slaughter all the baby boys in Bethlehem in an attempt to kill the infant Messiah. Jesus was spared when an angel warned Joseph in a dream to take Mary and the child and escape to Egypt.
The Nazareth Cliff (Luke 4:28-30): After Jesus read from the Book of Isaiah in the synagogue and declared the prophecy fulfilled, the religious leaders became filled with demonic wrath. They dragged Him out of the synagogue to the brow of a hill to cast Him down headlong, but He miraculously walked through their midst.
The Storm on the Sea (Matthew 8:23-27): While Jesus was asleep in the boat, the devil brought an enormous storm to drown Him. The terrified disciples woke Him, and He rebuked the wind and the waves, bringing a great calm.
The Death Plot of the Pharisees (Matthew 26:3-4): The religious leaders plotted to arrest and kill Jesus. The enemy often uses religious spirits to oppose the work of God.
The Betrayal of Judas Iscariot (Matthew 26:14-15): The devil entered Judas, exploiting his greed for money. Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver—the price of a common slave.

Direct Confrontation (The Temptation in the Wilderness)

In Matthew 4, Satan challenged Jesus to a direct battle. This occurred after Jesus had fasted for 40 days and nights. The devil targeted Jesus at His point of physical hunger and weakness, not realizing that a person's spiritual strength is often greatest when the physical body is weak. Satan will similarly target you in your moments of physical or emotional vulnerability.

Satan launched a frontal attack in three areas:

Self-Preservation (Matthew 4:3): Satan tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread. Self-preservation is a powerful human instinct. While Jesus would later multiply bread to feed thousands of others, He refused to use His power selfishly to serve Himself. He answered the devil using the Word of God: "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
Pride and Presumption (Matthew 4:5-7): Satan took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and urged Him to throw Himself down, quoting Scripture out of context to argue that angels would protect Him. Satan wanted Jesus to seek public notoriety through a spectacular, prideful stunt. Jesus replied: "It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."
Ambition and Worldly Power (Matthew 4:8-10): Satan projected a vision of all the kingdoms of the world and offered them to Jesus in exchange for worship. Jesus rebuked him: "Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve."

In every temptation, Jesus did not argue; He simply quoted the Word of God. The Word is our sword and shield, and it is how we gain the victory.

Authority Over the Enemy

Jesus demonstrated absolute authority over the spirit world. He identified demonic spirits as the root cause behind physical afflictions like deafness and dumbness (Mark 9:25). Whether confronting a single evil spirit or a legion of thousands, they had to obey His command.

In Matthew 8:29, the demons cried out in fear of Jesus. When you live in righteousness and walk in the Holy Spirit, the enemy will fear you as well. You have the authority of the Most High God to stand victorious.