When we look at the world around us, even if it’s just a glance, we can see a clear pattern and inclination to sin. 

The enemy holds the world captive. Jesus called him the “ruler” of the world (John 14:30 ESV). Paul called him “the prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:1–3). 

Without the hope of Scripture, neither of those titles sounds great! But you and I do have reason to hope. 

The Enemy Is Judged

When He called the devil the ruler of the world, Jesus also said that the enemy was judged and would soon lose his rule (John 16:7–11; 12:31–32). 

Similarly, Paul stated that the powers trying to hold the world in sin and darkness were doomed to pass away:

Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (1 Corinthians 2:6–8)

Far too many are impressed with or scared of the enemy.

We have a part to play in his defeat. There are three things we can do that, when combined, carry amazing power to defeat darkness in our personal lives, families, communities, churches, and nations. These are strategies of light that undo the works of darkness. 

Strategy 1: Lifestyle

One key principle of spiritual warfare is walking in the opposite spirit. When we recognize that something does not agree with God’s ways, His standard of righteousness, we purposefully do what does agree with Him. Paul told us to “not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). One way we defeat evil is by doing the opposite—by doing good.

We were set free from the enemy’s power and authority so we could serve God (1 Thessalonians 1:9–10). That service is a witness to God’s rule on the earth—heaven on earth—and it draws people to see Him and hope for freedom for themselves (Matthew 5:16). 

Living a lifestyle of loving the Lord and serving Him breaks the power of darkness.

Strategy 2: Words

Our words are powerful. With them we bless God…but then sometimes turn around and curse our brothers and sisters (James 3:9). When we use words correctly, we proclaim God’s glory and bear witness to the truth of what He has done. We speak life into people and situations, which releases light into the darkness (Proverbs 18:21; 2 Corinthians 6:7; Ephesians 4:29).

When we proclaim truth from God with conviction, it has the power to: 

• Break strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:1–6), 
• Release faith into hearts and situations (Romans 10:17), 
• Draw people into relationship with Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:21), 
• Cast out demons (Matthew 8:16; Luke 4:36), 
• Encourage faith and worship (1 Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11), and 
• Release the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:1–5).

Speaking words of life—God’s will in a situation, what He says about this, what love looks like in this circumstance—releases power from heaven. When our words agree with God’s words, angels are released to begin accomplishing His purposes (Psalm 103:20). Hearts are healed and strength comes to agree with and respond to God’s invitations. 

As we speak God’s truth, things change.

Strategy 3: Prayer

This is where most of us start because the Bible clearly reveals how powerful prayer is. We can’t read too many pages without being confronted by the effectiveness of prayer and how it changes situations and people, heals bodies, saves family members from judgment, opens barren wombs, defeats enemy armies, spares lives, hinders those seeking to kill and destroy, shuts the mouths of lions, brings God’s promises to fruition—and much more. 

When we see something that is not God’s will, we can pray as Jesus taught us: “God, bring Your will to bear in this situation. Cause this thing on earth to look like heaven. Release Your kingdom, and cause Your authority to overcome all resistance. Do what You do, and help all creation see how amazing You are!”

Synergy

Each of these strategies releases spiritual power. To paint a picture of how this works, let’s say each strategy releases 10 measures of power. Prayer releases 10, words release 10, and lifestyle releases 10. 

Logically, if we applied two of those strategies, the power would increase. If we prayed and spoke God’s truth into a situation, that would be 20 measures of power. Right?

However, that’s not how it works. If we combine two, they multiply instead of adding. So prayer and words would release the power of 100, not 20. And when we apply all three strategies, instead of 30 measures of power, it releases 1000 measures of power. 

When our life, our words, and our prayers all line up, the power released to push back darkness is astounding. God has already given us power and authority, and aligning our life, words, and prayers is a key way we use His power and authority.

Many problems in the world exist because it is caught in the evil one’s sway. But that is not the end of the story. God had a plan from the very beginning. He would choose a people, be their Friend, and through them push back darkness. We are a huge part of God’s answer to the evil in the world. Christ in us, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). God fills His church and His church reveals Him.

We are not the complete answer, of course. There will come a day when Jesus returns and fully removes all evil, but until then we have the same mission He was given—to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8; John 20:21–23). 

We are the firstfruits of the redemption God will work in all creation (Romans 8:18–25), and we get to spread that redemption every place we go (Mark 16:15–20).

Let’s join our lifestyle, words, and prayers together to see the world change. 

And remember, the power of synergy is not just within one person. The synergy increases exponentially when we come together in communities of faith, agreeing with each other while remaining in agreement with heaven.

About The Author

John E. Thomas is the president of Streams Ministries International and the co-author of The Art of Praying the Scriptures: A Fresh Look at Lectio Divina with John Paul Jackson. Teaching on prophetic ministry, dream interpretation, and the Kingdom of God, he travels internationally and works to help restore the awe of God to a world that has lost its wonder. John and his wife Dawna, live outside of Dallas, Texas.

You can find out more about John and Streams Ministries here.