Destroying the Devil

“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil . . . .”

“For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.”

The work Jesus did in the days of His flesh was tremendous. It would have been impossible for Him to destroy him who had the power of death without partaking of the same flesh and blood as the children, and without partaking of flesh and blood as the children, He could not have been tempted as the children are tempted; neither could He come to the aid of those who are tempted. Heb. 2:15-16.

When Jesus was tempted, He had an opportunity—through death—to destroy him who had the power of death. Jesus was tempted through sufferings. Jesus entered into temptations through the sufferings. He became conscious of sin in the flesh through temptation; God condemned sin in the flesh so that sin could not enter the heart. Rom. 8:3. The issues of life proceed from the heart. Sin issues forth from within and defiles a person. Mark 7:20-23. However, if sin is condemned in the flesh, it cannot enter the heart. Therefore Jesus could not be defiled. Prov. 4:23.

“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” Jas. 1:14. The devil can receive power through those desires, but God condemned sin (the desires, lusts) in the flesh. These lusts, or desires, were put to death by Jesus, the devil being destroyed by this death. That is why he had nothing he could appeal to. Phil. 3:10. We who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit learn to know Jesus and the power of His resurrection. We have fellowship with His sufferings, being conformed to His death. Rom. 8:12-14.

The author of our salvation was made perfect through sufferings, bringing many sons to glory, and He is not ashamed to call them His brethren. Here we can see how valuable sufferings and temptations are. James writes that we are to count them all joy. Jesus has consecrated this way into the Holiest through the veil, that is, His flesh. Heb. 10:19-20. If we follow Jesus on this way we also have the same task as Jesus. The devil will be destroyed. He will have no power where we are.

“The desire of the flesh is death, but the desire of the Spirit is life and peace.” Rom. 8:6. What is the situation where you are? In your home, at your place of employment, and in the church? Has the devil been destroyed through you? In fellowship with Jesus’ sufferings, while we are being conformed to His death, the Spirit witnesses with our spirit that we are children of God—and then we are also heirs. Rom. 8:16-17. Then we have also partaken of the gospel, and we can proclaim the life of Christ. 1 Pet. 2:9; 1 John 1:1-4.