The Defeat Of The Devil

“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” - 1 John 3:8

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There is no sound understanding of the incarnation unless we see it in the light of spiritual warfare. The Son of God was manifested to dissolve and destroy the works of the devil. Though Satan triumphed in the entrance of sin and seemed to have ruined the design of God in the creation of man, yet God would not suffer His purpose to be frustrated. He would recover fallen man and bruise the serpent’s head by the seed of the woman. This was accomplished by the appearing of the Son of God in our nature. What Satan did by subtlety, Christ undid by obedience. What Satan brought in by temptation, Christ removed by righteousness. The devil’s kingdom was shaken when the King of heaven appeared in flesh.

Christ bound the strong man that He might spoil his goods. He entered the lists with Satan, not as God only but as man, that He might conquer where man had fallen and triumph in the same nature that had been vanquished. In the wilderness He overcame temptation. In His death He took away the devil’s plea against us, satisfying divine justice and answering the accusations of the law. In His resurrection He broke the power of him who had the power of death. The whole design of the gospel is the overthrow of the devil’s dominion and the deliverance of sinners from his yoke.

Let no believer be terrified at the malice of Satan, for his doom is sealed. The Captain of our salvation has conquered in our nature and for our sake. Though the devil continues to tempt and trouble the saints, he cannot separate them from the love of Christ nor pluck them out of His hand. The victory of Christ is complete, and the manifestation of the Son of God in the flesh is the pledge that Satan shall not prevail against the church.

(Taken From John Owen's sermon "The Manifestation of the Son of God")