Trust in God's Sovereignty Over the Enemy's Schemes
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” Ephesians 6:10-11
In recent years, a popular teaching has emerged in some Christian circles that encourages believers to “cancel” demonic activity or the schemes of the enemy through bold declarations. While this language may feel empowering, it often stems from a misunderstanding of biblical authority and spiritual warfare. As followers of Christ, we are called to a deeper trust in God’s sovereignty, even in the face of trials and temptations orchestrated by the enemy.
Let’s explore why the idea of canceling the devil’s schemes falls short of biblical truth and what Scripture teaches us about overcoming temptation, resisting the devil, and growing in faith through trials.
The idea of canceling demonic assignments often arises from the Word of Faith movement, which suggests that believers can speak things into existence or exert god-like authority over their circumstances through “faith-filled” declarations. However, this teaching lacks a solid biblical foundation. Nowhere in Scripture do we see Jesus or the apostles instructing believers to “cancel” the schemes of the devil as a form of spiritual warfare. Instead, the Bible presents a different model for engaging in the battle against evil—one rooted in submission to God, reliance on His Word, and trust in His sovereign plan.
When Jesus faced temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), He didn’t “cancel” Satan’s activity or declare it void. Instead, He resisted the enemy by standing firm on the truth of God’s Word, saying, “It is written…” Each time Satan tempted Him, Jesus responded with Scripture, aligning Himself with the will of the Father.
Similarly, when Jesus taught His disciples to pray in Matthew 6:13, He instructed them to ask God to “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” The focus is dependence on God—not on making declarations in our own authority.
Moreover, the Bible shows us that God sometimes allows the enemy’s schemes to test and refine us. Consider Job, who endured immense suffering at the hands of Satan, yet God used those trials to demonstrate Job’s faithfulness and ultimately to bless him (Job 1-2, 42).
Or think of Peter, whom Jesus warned, “Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat” (Luke 22:31). What did Jesus do next? He didn’t “cancel” Satan’s scheme; instead, He prayed for Peter, that his faith would not fail (Luke 22:32).
These examples remind us that God remains sovereign over all things, including the enemy’s attacks, and He often uses what the devil intends for evil to accomplish His good purposes in our lives (Genesis 50:20).
So rather then relying on declarations to “cancel” the enemy’s work, Scripture gives us clear instructions for walking in victory over temptation, resisting the devil, and growing in faith through trials. Here are three biblical responses to spiritual warfare:
The truth is, spiritual warfare isn’t about us having the power to dictate outcomes or “cancel” the enemy’s schemes. It’s about trusting the One who has already defeated the enemy through the cross (Colossians 2:15). Our role is to remain faithful, to stand firm, and to rely on God’s power, not our own.
When trials come—whether orchestrated by the enemy or allowed by God—we can rest in the assurance that God is in control. He promises never to leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), and He equips us to endure every challenge.
Beloved, you don’t have to feel the pressure to “cancel” the devil’s schemes through your own declarations. Instead, draw near to God in prayer, immerse yourself in His Word, and trust Him to guide you through every trial. The enemy may roar like a lion (1 Peter 5:8), but we serve the Lion of Judah, who has already secured the victory.
-Pastor Marco
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” Ephesians 6:10-11
In recent years, a popular teaching has emerged in some Christian circles that encourages believers to “cancel” demonic activity or the schemes of the enemy through bold declarations. While this language may feel empowering, it often stems from a misunderstanding of biblical authority and spiritual warfare. As followers of Christ, we are called to a deeper trust in God’s sovereignty, even in the face of trials and temptations orchestrated by the enemy.
Let’s explore why the idea of canceling the devil’s schemes falls short of biblical truth and what Scripture teaches us about overcoming temptation, resisting the devil, and growing in faith through trials.
The idea of canceling demonic assignments often arises from the Word of Faith movement, which suggests that believers can speak things into existence or exert god-like authority over their circumstances through “faith-filled” declarations. However, this teaching lacks a solid biblical foundation. Nowhere in Scripture do we see Jesus or the apostles instructing believers to “cancel” the schemes of the devil as a form of spiritual warfare. Instead, the Bible presents a different model for engaging in the battle against evil—one rooted in submission to God, reliance on His Word, and trust in His sovereign plan.
When Jesus faced temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), He didn’t “cancel” Satan’s activity or declare it void. Instead, He resisted the enemy by standing firm on the truth of God’s Word, saying, “It is written…” Each time Satan tempted Him, Jesus responded with Scripture, aligning Himself with the will of the Father.
Similarly, when Jesus taught His disciples to pray in Matthew 6:13, He instructed them to ask God to “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” The focus is dependence on God—not on making declarations in our own authority.
Moreover, the Bible shows us that God sometimes allows the enemy’s schemes to test and refine us. Consider Job, who endured immense suffering at the hands of Satan, yet God used those trials to demonstrate Job’s faithfulness and ultimately to bless him (Job 1-2, 42).
Or think of Peter, whom Jesus warned, “Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat” (Luke 22:31). What did Jesus do next? He didn’t “cancel” Satan’s scheme; instead, He prayed for Peter, that his faith would not fail (Luke 22:32).
These examples remind us that God remains sovereign over all things, including the enemy’s attacks, and He often uses what the devil intends for evil to accomplish His good purposes in our lives (Genesis 50:20).
So rather then relying on declarations to “cancel” the enemy’s work, Scripture gives us clear instructions for walking in victory over temptation, resisting the devil, and growing in faith through trials. Here are three biblical responses to spiritual warfare:
- Submit to God and Resist the Devil with His Word
James 4:7 instructs us to “submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Submission to God comes first—it’s an act of humility and trust in His authority. When we resist the devil, we do so not in our own power but by standing on the truth of God’s Word, just as Jesus did in the wilderness. Memorizing and meditating on Scripture equips us to counter the enemy’s lies with God’s truth. For example, when tempted to despair, we can recall 2 Corinthians 4:17: “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” - Put on the Whole Armor of God
Ephesians 6:10-18 describes the armor of God, which includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (God’s Word). This armor isn’t something we declare into existence—it’s something we put on daily through prayer, obedience, and reliance on God’s strength. It’s finding our identity in all that God is for us in Christ. When we’re equipped with God’s armor, we can “stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11), not by canceling them, but by standing firm in faith. - Trust God’s Sovereignty and Pray for Strength in Trials
Trials, even those influenced by the enemy, are opportunities for growth when we trust in God’s sovereignty. Romans 5:3-4 reminds us, “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” Instead of trying to “cancel” difficulties, we can pray as Jesus did for Peter—that our faith would not fail (Luke 22:32). The Lord can rescue us from challenges in response to prayer or guide us through them, using trials to purify and strengthen our faith. We can ask God for wisdom (James 1:5) and strength to endure, knowing that He is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).
The truth is, spiritual warfare isn’t about us having the power to dictate outcomes or “cancel” the enemy’s schemes. It’s about trusting the One who has already defeated the enemy through the cross (Colossians 2:15). Our role is to remain faithful, to stand firm, and to rely on God’s power, not our own.
When trials come—whether orchestrated by the enemy or allowed by God—we can rest in the assurance that God is in control. He promises never to leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), and He equips us to endure every challenge.
Beloved, you don’t have to feel the pressure to “cancel” the devil’s schemes through your own declarations. Instead, draw near to God in prayer, immerse yourself in His Word, and trust Him to guide you through every trial. The enemy may roar like a lion (1 Peter 5:8), but we serve the Lion of Judah, who has already secured the victory.
-Pastor Marco