Daily EncouragementSample

The reference is to “that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray” (verse 9). The means of victory over Satan are indicated here. They obviously have reference to his final defeat, but every skirmish along the way must be fought in the same manner.

Satan is conquered “by the blood of the Lamb.” That is a shorthand expression for the redemptive sacrifice of the Lamb of God in his death for the world,” says G. R. Beasley-Murray. Redemption and victory are “through his blood” (Eph. 1:7).

Precious blood, by this we conquer
In the fiercest fight,
Sins and Satan overcoming
By its might.

Satan is conquered by the word of testimony. That is ultimately “the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17). It is the confession and declaration of gospel truth by those who have experienced its power:

And let the prince of ill
Look grim as e’er he will,
he harms us not a whit;
For why his doom is writ’
A word shall quickly slay him.

Satan is conquered by lives fully committed to the Lord. Martyrdom may be the outcome in some cases, but what overcomes is “Christ in you” - “because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).