Matthew 12:29-30 Or else 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. [30] He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

Mark 3:27 No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.

Luke 11:21-22 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: [22] But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.

The strongman in this parable is Satan. His goods are the people that he holds in bondage. Up unto the birth of Jesus Christ, Satan was strong and fully armed. Those who were possessed by demons were held captive in his grip because there was no one to challenge him. That is until someone stronger and more powerful came along.

When Jesus was born, it threw a wrench in Satan's power and control. Satan, who had controlled this world since the time when Adam and Eve sinned, was now being controlled and overpowered by Jesus. In the wilderness, Jesus overcame Satan's temptations, making him even more powerful and at His Resurrection, Jesus defeated Satan's ultimate weapon - death. Jesus now has complete power and authority over Satan and his demons. In this parable, Jesus is the one who binds Satan and plunders his house. Eventually Satan will be bound forever, never to deceive us again.

Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Although God permits Satan to work in our world today, God is still in control. Eventually the final judgment will come and Satan will be tormented forevermore. In the mean time, we must do everything in our power and authority to conquer the enemy. We are in a war. What's at stake? Your soul! Satan does not play fair and he will use every weapon he can to try to win the battle over your soul. Some of his weapons include: deceit, lies, temptation, pride, jealousy, and envy, to name a few. Satan will also catch you off guard and steal some things from you. What are some of things that he will try steal? He will try to steal your faith, peace, integrity, family, health and your promises.

It's time that you and I get on the offense and bind the strongman - Satan. In Matthew 11:12, Jesus tells us that the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. It's time to go after the things that we have lost to Satan. But where do we get the power to overcome the strongman?

Acts 1:8 tells us, But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.

The Holy Ghost will lead you. The Holy Ghost will give you the power to overcome the strongman.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Speak the name of Jesus. At the name of Jesus, demons flee. They must let go. Jesus said in Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Jesus will give us the words to speak, He will bring into remembrance the power of God's Word to overcome the strongman. Matthew 16:19 says that whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. We conquer the strongman by binding the evil spirits and loosing God's blessing. Our faith in God's Word releases the power from heaven that binds or ties up the evil we are facing. Similarly, when we loose something on earth, we permit the power of God to fill our life and repair the damage done by the strongman.

Everyday we need to read God's Word so that we can use it against the strongman. As Paul said in 2 Timothy 2:9 ..."but the word of God is not bound." There's no way of stopping the Word, it's full of power to overcome any enemy. That gives us full confidence and greater faith in our God to overcome life's troubles.