We speak againt the devil not by our own power and authority, but under the blood of Jesus and by His own resurrection power and the authority that God gave Him over everything in the universe. I personally never say, “I rebuke you,” but “The Lord rebuke you.” And remember that our fight is not against people but against the demonic forces behind the scenes.

That said, I have some reminders for the devil.

1) When he reminds me of my weakness, I remind him that Christ’s power is made perfect through my weakness.

2) When he reminds me of my failures, I remind him that God works all things (especially failures) together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

3) When he reminds me of the filthy rags that I pass for my own righteousness, I remind him that I have Christ’s robes of righteousness and that God sees not my pitiful excuse for righteousness, but Christ’s perfect and complete obedience in fulilling the law for me.

4) When he reminds me of things left undone or unsaid, I remind him that in Christ every morning is a chance to start over. It’s not how you began will matter, but how you finished.

5) When he reminds me of the fact that he is stronger than I am (in my own strength), I remind him that as a child of the King, I have all power and authority from God over him and the world and my own flesh. Christ is in me, the hope of glory!

6) Finally, when he reminds me of my past, I can (under the blood of Jesus) remind him of HIS FUTURE!

The most important reminder is for myself. I am not fighting a battle in which the outcome is undecided and hangs in the balance. I fight a battle that’s already won. Christ has overwhelmingly conquered. As Chip Ingram says, I fight not for victory, but from victory!

As always, I believe. Or I want to believe most days. Help me to believe every day and then live it out.