Making the Devil Flee | Dr Tony Evans | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

Making the Devil Flee

Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship • Jun 28, 2023 • 15 min

Start a Devotional

Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In this powerful message, Dr. Tony Evans emphasizes that victory in spiritual warfare requires a strict order: we must submit to God before we can effectively resist the devil. Attempting to fight temptation in our own strength fails because the enemy is only repelled by God's authority and biblical truth. By living authentically for Christ, truly repenting, and building internal spiritual strength through Scripture, believers can stand firm against the pressures of the world.

Themes

Spiritual WarfareSubmission to GodResisting the DevilPower of ScriptureAuthentic FaithRepentance

Pastor's Points

1.

1. Recognition - Acknowledging and recognizing that you have failed God.

2.

2. Remorse - Feeling genuine heart sorrow and hurt over sinning against God.

3.

3. Reversal - Making a full U-turn to align your life and actions back under God's authority.

Key Points

1.
The order of James 4:7 is essential: you must submit to God first before you can effectively resist the devil.
2.
Attempting to resist spiritual opposition without prior submission to God leaves you fighting in your own limited strength without divine power.
3.
Submission to God means coming under His authority every morning and allowing Him to control your daily decisions.
4.
The devil is completely allergic to biblical truth, which is why Jesus defeated temptation in Matthew 4 by quoting Scripture.
5.
God expects visible spiritual identification ('ID') shown through daily choices, rather than empty verbal declarations.
6.
True biblical repentance requires three distinct steps: recognition of failure, remorse over sin, and a complete reversal of direction.
7.
To survive a secular culture, believers must carry more spiritual pressure on the inside through Jesus than the external pressure exerted by the world.

Sermon Moments

“The order is everything. It's not resist the devil and submit to God; it's submit to God and resist the devil.”

“The devil is allergic to God's word. He's not allergic to you... what he can't handle is biblical truth.”

“What you need to have is a Bible study with the devil.”

“God wants some ID. He wants to see you move and demonstrate you are serious.”

“God does not want us wearing spiritual Spanx... where reality shows up when you take them off.”

“If you don't want to hear about Jesus, don't ask me to pray.”

“A submarine doesn't collapse underwater because it has more pressure on the inside than coming at it from the outside.”

This Week

Begin each morning by explicitly submitting your agenda, thoughts, and decisions to God's leadership.

Memorize specific Scripture passages to speak out against areas of personal temptation, having a 'Bible study with the devil.'

Refuse double-mindedness by standing openly for Christ on weekdays, not just on Sundays.

Incorporate God into your daily decision-making, planning, and workplace discussions rather than compartmentalizing your faith.

When you fall short, practice true repentance immediately through honest recognition, genuine remorse, and active reversal.

Remove 'spiritual Spanx' by living authentically as a follower of Jesus Christ without hiding your faith.

Strengthen your inner spiritual core daily through prayer, fasting, and the Word so external cultural pressures cannot crush you.

Remember This

You cannot successfully resist the devil until you first submit your entire life to the authority of God.

A Challenge for You

Take your stand for God without compromise, keeping more of Jesus on the inside than the pressure coming from the secular world outside.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.