Topical Encyclopedia
Faith, as depicted in the Bible, is a fundamental aspect of the Christian life, serving as the means by which believers can resist the devil and his schemes. The concept of resisting the devil through faith is deeply rooted in Scripture and is exemplified by the lives of various saints who demonstrated unwavering trust in God amidst spiritual warfare.
Biblical FoundationThe Bible provides clear instruction on resisting the devil through faith.
James 4:7 states, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." This verse underscores the necessity of submission to God as a precursor to effectively resisting the devil. It is through faith in God's power and authority that believers can stand firm against the adversary.
1 Peter 5:8-9 further elaborates on this theme: "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering." Here, faith is portrayed as the shield that enables believers to withstand the devil's attacks, emphasizing the communal aspect of faith as believers support one another in spiritual battles.
Examples of Saints Resisting the DevilThroughout the Bible, several saints exemplify the principle of resisting the devil through faith. One prominent example is Jesus Christ Himself, who, during His temptation in the wilderness, resisted the devil by relying on the Word of God. In
Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus counters each of Satan's temptations with Scripture, demonstrating the power of faith in God's truth to overcome the devil's lies.
Another example is the Apostle Paul, who frequently faced spiritual opposition yet remained steadfast in his faith. In
Ephesians 6:10-18, Paul instructs believers to "put on the full armor of God" to stand against the devil's schemes. This passage highlights the importance of faith as part of the spiritual armor, specifically the "shield of faith," which can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one (
Ephesians 6:16).
The Role of Faith in Spiritual WarfareFaith is not merely a passive belief but an active trust in God's promises and power. It involves a conscious decision to rely on God's strength rather than one's own.
Hebrews 11, often referred to as the "Faith Hall of Fame," provides numerous examples of individuals who, by faith, overcame obstacles and resisted the devil's attempts to thwart God's plans. These saints, including Abraham, Moses, and David, demonstrated that faith is integral to living a victorious Christian life.
In spiritual warfare, faith acts as both a defensive and offensive weapon. It defends believers against the devil's attacks by grounding them in the truth of God's Word and His faithfulness. Simultaneously, faith empowers believers to advance God's kingdom, knowing that the victory has already been secured through Christ's death and resurrection.
Practical ApplicationBelievers today are called to emulate the faith of these saints by cultivating a deep, personal relationship with God through prayer, study of Scripture, and fellowship with other believers. By doing so, they can effectively resist the devil and stand firm in their faith. As
Ephesians 6:13 exhorts, "Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand."
In summary, faith is the key to resisting the devil, as it anchors believers in the truth of God's Word and empowers them to stand firm against spiritual opposition. Through the examples of biblical saints and the teachings of Scripture, believers are equipped to engage in spiritual warfare with confidence, knowing that their faith in God will lead to victory over the devil.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
1 Peter 5:9Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brothers that are in the world.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
A Lecture for Little-Faith
... deep an interest in the salvation of these saints, and in ... in that way you will get
your faith strengthened ... There is a promise that says, "Resist the devil, and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/a lecture for little-faith.htm
The Broken Fence
... Our holy faith teaches a man to be decided in the ... his land lay in the parish of
All-saints, or in ... in its integrity all round the field, we can resist the devil ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the broken fence.htm
Sunday after Easter
... kingdom"Christ with his angels, and his saints both living ... They forget that they
must, through faith, become new ... as children of God we must resist the devil ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/sunday after easter.htm
Love of Religion, a New Nature.
... far advanced in the kingdom of God, as to resist the devil ... I do not speak as if God's
saints led vicious and ... come here in a dead way, not in faith, not coming ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon xiii love of religion.htm
The General Service to Saints Andrew of Constantinople, Isidore of ...
... THE GENERAL SERVICE TO SAINTS ANDREW OF CONSTANTINOPLE, ISIDORE ... thy people calling
unto thee, and resist the attacks ... of ignorance those who in faith hymn Thee. ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter xxvii the general service.htm
All Saints' Day, or St Ursula's Day
... THE INNER WAY SERMON XXVII All Saints' Day, or St ... to shun and avoid evil, and to
resist sin and ... to learn true resignation and patience in the faith and hope of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xxvii all saints day.htm
Letter vi. Temptation.
... Scriptures, and from the experience of eminent saints who have ... Watch ye, stand fast
in the faith, quit you ... You have the promise, that if you resist the devil ...
/.../a practical directory for young christian females/letter vi temptation.htm
Acts 17:16-17. Athens.
... Shall we hang down our heads, and complain that "the faith once delivered to the
saints" has lost ... Stand on your guard. Resist the devil Watch and pray ...
/.../chapter ix acts 17 16-17 athens.htm
Fighting Holiness
... wants fighting saints as well as kissing saints'; truly the ... of us, and the fight
of faith has to ... fully consecrated soul has not only to resist the temptations ...
/.../howard/standards of life and service/xv fighting holiness.htm
Christ the Conqueror of Satan
... is what we have to do: we are to resist him by ... ye steadfast in resisting the evil
one being strong in faith, giving glory ... Saints, while ye sing the heavenly war ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 22 1876/christ the conqueror of satan.htm
Resources
What does the Bible say about faith? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a leap of faith? | GotQuestions.orgHow can you believe in salvation by faith alone when the only occurrence of 'faith alone' in the Bible (James 2:24) says that salvation is not by faith alone? | GotQuestions.orgFaith: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
