Most Christians desire to live in righteousness... but they look at their sinful lives, perhaps chronically sinning against their conscience, and conclude the Devil is stronger than they. But this is not true! This is the necessary 2nd crisis in the life of the believer. First we realized we needed to be saved, but now this!

When a believer is in this situation, he begins to not believe the fact Jesus has accomplished and provided everything for us, so he attempts to concentrate on self-effort. This is then the Devil's playing field; the Devil sees opportunity and uses his only weapons: deception and influence. Through his influence the Devil can convince a person to "help" Jesus out with their own self-effort and move out of simply "walking in accord with the Spirit," as Paul instructs us (Gal 6:16, 18, 25). When this happens, then by their own choice, they have turned away from the all mighty Christ within them, thereby cutting themselves off the flow of Grace and power of God in Christ within them. Eventually, they believe the Devil is the Boogie Man.

The scriptures state plainly that the Devil was defeated by Christ at the cross. Satan no longer has his power weapons of offense at his disposal. He has been completely disarmed by the love of my Father. Consider this verse. Jesus said "...how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. Matthew 12:29 (KJV). How can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Jesus did enter the Devil's (the strong man) house, which is planet earth, when Jesus was incarnated in human flesh. The Devil had owned the title rights to planet Earth (and mankind) for a time after he took it from Adam; it was given that Adam (mankind) that he would "have dominion" (Gen 1:26, 28). Jesus, by the cross, took back all that the Devil had usurped. Jesus took it back, bound Satan, condemning or restricting him to "the flesh" of man (Rom 8:3). He made a way for all on earth to be free from Satan's power. Jesus, by His cross, conquered Satan and gave dominion on earth back to man.

Only those believers who understand the "Christ according to the Revelation of the Mystery"(Rom 16:25) can actually exercise the benefits of their dominion that is enjoyed only in union with Christ. You see, the "Mystery," revealed to be Christ's very own victorious life indwelling man, is the key to exercising victory over sinning. Some believe that the Devil is to be feared like the Boogie Man. The opposite is true. In fact the Devil is now weaker in spiritual power and majesty... than any believer "in Christ" simply because God the Father and the "Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" dwells Within The Believer (Rom 8:8-9).

Yes, the Devil still has influence over believers when they are ignorant of understanding the truth of God's word and not taught the true meaning of the words of Paul's "gospel of the grace of God" Act 20:24) that includes "the revelation of 'the Mystery." So yes, we still have a sin nature in our flesh bodies (Rom 8:3b), but we do not need to yield to the temptations of the Sin nature. Here is how it works that we are free from Sin's power. "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him (Christ, (so) that the body of sin might be destroyed (made of no effect), (so) that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For He That Is Dead Is Freed From Sin (son's power)." (Romans 6:6-7 (KJV)

Our "old man," our sinful self "is crucified with Christ" (cf., Gal 2:20) and by this act of the cross upon our "old man," God has rendered the Sin-nature powerless to tempt us, since we have died to Sin.  Do we believe this victory achieved by our co-death with Christ? This is the issue for believers. The fact is that Christ, "having spoiled (Gk., apekdyomai, divested or cast off) principalities and powers," made a open show of them, triumphing over them in it. "And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." Colossians 2:15 (KJV) These principalities and powers were powerful fallen angels ruled by the Devil; but now ... Jesus has spoiled divested the Devil of his army and power, being completely victorious over them. "(God) Who Hath (already)Delivered Us From The Power Of Darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:" (Colossians 1:13 (KJV)

We will not be rid of the Sin-nature that tempts us until we "exchange these corruptible bodies for incorruptible" (cf., 1Cor 15:52-54). The Devil, whose sin-nature is the accuser and tempter within our flesh, will be destroyed later in "the lake of fire" (Rev 20:10) in the culmination of the ages.