Satan is a Legalist- Sin gives him Legal Rights

There is a spiritual war going on for the souls of men. The devil is working hard to capture as many souls as he can through legal rights. The spiritual world works through open doors and legalities. Sin and disobedience to God is what gives him this legal right over souls. He is the father of all who sin. Sin originated from the devil who was the first sinner and rebel against God.

All who sin, the bible calls the children of the devil. He was a sinner from the beginning and taught man to sin. When we live in unrepentant sin, we give him a legal right to access our lives. He can then infiltrate, harass, torment us, and lead us further from God through multiplied temptations. Because sin is his property, when we live in unrepentant sin, we give him a legal right over us.

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

1 John 3:8

God honors these legalities of the Spirit realm because they originated from him. He is a God of justice and righteousness. God is bound by his holiness and his word. God has nothing to do with sin, because he is holy. When we sin we take ourselves into the domain of the devil and become his property. Sin separates us from God because he is holy. God accepts and recognizes us as his own us when we turn to the Lord Jesus and live in obedience to him in holiness.

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face.

Psalms 89:14

But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear

Isaiah 59:2 

Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity

Habakkuk 1:13

Does Satan have a legal claim over you?

An unbeliever already belongs to the devil whether they know it, accept it or not. They are already in sin’s grip. Therefore, he has the right to oppress them and keep them in bondage. And eventually lead them to hell. Satan does not bother too much with those who have not turned to Jesus because they are already his. However, he fights greatly against born again believers. His goal is to get them to sin against the Lord so he can win them back to himself. Through sin he can have the open door and legal right to attack and enter their lives.

and do not give the devil an opportunity (place; foothold)

Ephesians 4:27

Living in sin is like sleeping with your door open at night. It opens the door for animals, thieves, burglars, and all manner criminals to enter in. When we live in sin, we open doors in the Spirit for the devil and his demons to access our lives. We therefore cannot have any authority over Satan when he has legal claim over us. When his property is in our houses (body, soul, mind, Spirit), he has a right to be there.

Jesus said that a house divided against itself cannot stand (Matthew 12:25). Satan cannot cast out Satan (Matthew 12:25). A Christian living in unrepentant sin cannot have any authority over Satan and his demons since they mark him as one of theirs.

Please note that living in sin disconnects you to God and you cannot enter heaven because you belong to to the devil. No unclean thing can enter heaven. Be alert and sober minded. Watch and pray lest you enter into temptation. Sin must be your number one enemy as a Christian because the consequences are eternal.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour

1 Peter 5:8

Master sin to gain victory over Satan

When Cain wanted to kill his brother, God warned him. He told him sin was lurking at his door and he must master it. But sadly Cain did not. He allowed Satan to enter him and his end was destruction. We see in the life Judas also what happens when one allows Satan to enter him and lure him into sin. The goal of Satan is ultimately to lead souls to hell.

We have to be careful and watch over our souls and resist sin at all costs and live repentant holy lives. We can muster sin through close relationship with the Lord Jesus through obedience, studying his word, self-denial, praying and fasting.

And if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”

Genesis 4:7 

The bible also tells us to be angry but sin not lest we give a place or opportunity to the devil. It admonishes us to not let the sun go down on our anger, meaning we should make our ways right with God and all we are offended by through repentance and forgiveness. If we do this, we will not give place to the devil who is always looking for someone to devour.

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil

Ephesians 4:26-27

Satan accuses you to the Father in heaven

The bible calls Satan the accuser of the brethren. He accuses us before God day and night. We see this demonstrated when he went before God accusing Job and asking permission to test him. (Job chapter 1). The bible also shows us Satan accusing Joshua the High priest before God. (Zechariah 3:1-10)

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death

Revelation 12:10-11

The devil is always looking to accuse us so he can afflict us and torment us with diseases, bondage to sin, lethargy, accidents, afflictions, strife in relationships etc. Do not give Satan evidence to accuse you!

Jesus our example- He gave no place to the devil and so had authority over him

Jesus did not give any opportunity for Satan to oppress him or overpower him because he lived in absolute holiness. When the devil tempted him in the wilderness, he was able to overcome him because he was filled with the word of God, had been fasting and praying, and always had a desire to please the father and do his will. Because of his perfect obedience to the father, he has authority to rebuke Satan and Satan left him. (Matthew 4:10-11)

Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.

John 14:30

Because of the Lords obedience, holiness, and sinlessness, he was able to be the perfect atonement for our sins. Jesus gave himself as an example for us. He said the devil had nothing on him. This means Satan could find nothing in Jesus to accuse him of or find entrance in his life. The great power and authority Jesus had was because of his sinless nature. No demon was a match for Jesus. They all bowed before him and recognized him whenever he came near demon possessed people, and he was able to cast the out.

Holiness denies Satan legal rights over you

Satan and his demons only obey Christians living in HOLINESS and OBEDIENCE to God. Trying to rebuke the devil when you are living in sin and carrying his property in your house and your body only causes him to laugh at you. You can not chase away someone you have made a co-owner of your house because they have legal rights over you. Your prayers will always be powerless when you’re living in sin.

God can not save you from Satan’s oppression when you’re giving him the right to torment you and will not turn away from your sins. He will always have authority to accuse you before God and prevail. Confess all your sins to God, repent and turn from them, and then purpose to live a Holy life. That is submitting to God. When you do that, you can then resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7

Give no place to the devil beloved!

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