Be The Strong Man

Scripture: Luke 11:20–22 (ESV) But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.  When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe;  but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil.

A Non-Resister Is An Open Door

Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT) A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

• Unbelievers Are Unaware

• The Vulnerable Are Overrun - Mark 9:17–18 (ESV) And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute.  And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.”

• Participators Are Captured - 1 Samuel 16:14–23 (ESV) Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the LORD tormented him.  And Saul’s servants said to him, “Behold now, a harmful spirit from God is tormenting you.  Let our lord now command your servants who are before you to seek out a man who is skillful in playing the lyre, and when the harmful spirit from God is upon you, he will play it, and you will be well.”  So Saul said to his servants, “Provide for me a man who can play well and bring him to me.”  One of the young men answered, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the LORD is with him.”  Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me David your son, who is with the sheep.”  And Jesse took a donkey laden with bread and a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them by David his son to Saul.  And David came to Saul and entered his service. And Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer.  And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor in my sight.”  And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.

A Weak Man Is Easy To Overpower

• Luke 4:13 (ESV) And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.

• Genesis 4:7 (ESV) If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

• Luke 22:31–32 (ESV) “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

• Strength matters

• We can grow our strength

• We are stronger in numbers

• Kingdom momentum is hard to disrupt

A Strong Man Can Be Outmaneuvered And Overcome

2 Corinthians 2:11 (NIV) in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

Job 1:8–10 (ESV) And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?”  Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason?  Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.

A Vigilant Strong Man Is A Locked Door

1 Peter 5:8–9 (ESV) Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

2025 Strategic Response

2 Corinthians 2:11 (NIV) in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

• What Are Three Repeated Effective Strategies Of The Enemy In My Life In 2024?

• What Are Three Simple Effective Strategic Responses To Thwart His Efforts?

• What Would 2025 Look Like If I Enforce Those Strategic Responses?