Psalm 9 1 : 1 3

• Psalm 91:13 – You will tread upon the lion and cobra, the young lion and the serpent [dragon] you will trample down. (NASB)

• In other words, you are a Dragon Slayer!

• SHOW VIDEO: Battling Satan? It’s Time to Get Back Up!

• This video illustrates that you encounter daily attacks from the enemy.

• But, you have to get back up and engage him in order to overcome.

• Luke 10:19 – Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means harm you.

• Jesus has authority over the devil & He has given it to us.

• Why did He gives us that authority? • We are Christ’s representatives in this world.• He’s a great manager—authority matches

responsibility. • Let’s develop this further.• Do you know that we are at war? • There is actually a spiritual battle raging around

you! • Are you aware of it?

• Are you engaging the enemy?• 2 Reasons:1. Big Picture: In order to win this cosmic struggle

between the forces of darkness and the Kingdom of Light—repossess the world.

2. Personal: In order to victoriously finish the race which has been laid out before you.

• Colossians 1:13-14 – For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. (NLT)

• Whether you like it or even realize it, when you became a believer, you switched kingdoms.

• Now, you a part of the Kingdom of Light. • This means one thing: you are an enemy to satan! • And, he has a strategy to try to take you out.

• This is war, folks! • And it is no place for wimps, mate!• You have a choice: you can either ignore it and

hope it goes away, and it won’t.• Or, you can fight to win! • You know what the really cool thing is? • You have the authority to win every battle with the

enemy!• Jesus did, and He has given us His authority.

• Let’s look at this verse more closely: • Psalm 91:13 – You will tread upon the lion and

cobra, the young lion and the serpent [dragon] you will trample down. (NASB)

• You will tread (under your feet) on 4 things:– Lions– Cobras– Young Lions– Dragons

• This verse marks a transition in Psalm 91 from the subject of being protected by the Lord to emphasizing the authority that we have.

• You have authority over the enemy, and he does not have authority over you.

• But, as I have been saying all along, this is not automatic.

• You have to engage the enemy in battle in order to overcome him.

• Another thought: often we pray when we should be taking authority over the situation.

• You need to know when it the right time to fight and when it is time to pray.

• Whenever you encounter the devil, speak the Word of God and use the authority you have been given.

• You have been deputized by Jesus to represent Him on this earth.

• Psalm 91:13 – You will tread upon the lion and cobra, the young lion and the serpent [dragon] you will trample down. (NASB)

• What good is it to have authority over lions and cobras if we are not in Africa?

• In actuality, these are the different types of attacks that the devil brings against us.

1. Lion Attacks – These are the big, loud, in your face attacks that hit you head on.

• Attacks like: • Bad news from the doctor • An accident where your car is totaled• An unexpected bill that comes which causes a chain

reaction of bounced checks. • They are the obvious and seemingly insurmountable

attacks. • BUT, God promises that you can tread upon them!

• What did the Lord tell Zechariah? • It is not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit of

the Lord that this mountain before you, Zerubbabel, will become a plain. – Zechariah 4:6-7

• You may have a mountain before you or a giant taunting you.

• But, you have authority in Jesus name to bring him down and use his own weapon to cut his head off!

• In other words, through Jesus you can turn those attacks into triumphs!

2. Young Lion Attacks – These are small distractions, harassments, or irritations.

• They can grow into big problems if you don’t deal with them early on.

• Young Lions grow up to be Big Lions.• These are the subtle, negative thoughts that the

enemy plants in your mind. • They are thoughts that you need to take captive and

destroy!

• Sickness runs in my family and not many live long lives, so I will probably do the same.

• My spouse no longer loves me.• I am no longer in love with my spouse.• I have always been bad with money. Guess I always

will be.

• They can grow into big problems if they are not dealt with quickly.

• 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 – 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

• Always remember the Barney Fife Doctrine: Nip it! Nip it! Nip it in the bud, Andy!

• We need to nip them before they become full blown flowers or problems.

3. Cobra Attacks – These are the attacks that sneak up on us like a snake in the grass.

• Many times they are hard to detect like a snake’s fang wounds are often difficult to locate.

• And, you cannot see the poison as it is coursing through your body.

• It is sly and subtle then bam! • It strikes!

• Being served divorce papers out of the clear blue.• Finding out that your child is on drugs when you

thought they were a fine, well-adjusted kid.• It is those surprise attacks designed to catch you off

guard and to destroy you and your faith.• The Holy Spirit, if we are listening, will warn us of

these issues ahead of time.

4. Dragon Attacks – Think about it: dragons do not exist.

• They are a figment of your imagination.• They are unfounded problems or fears that are not

real. • Phantom fears can be as deadly as real ones if you

believe them. • Proverbs 28:1 – The wicked flee when no one is

chasing.

• Many people spend restless nights imagining all sorts of bad things that can happen to them.

• These Dragon Fears either keep you living in the past like many Vietnam Vets.

• Or, living in the future always afraid of what bad thing might happen next . . .

• But, they keep you from experiencing the abundant life God wants you to have in the present.

• Good News: we have the authority to trample under foot all the powers of the enemy.

• No matter how loud, sneaky, deceptive or imaginary they can be.

• God has given us authority over all of them. • The really good news is the intelligence report we

have been given about our enemy.• Christ literally defeated or dethroned the devil from

being the ruler of this world when He died & rose.

• Colossians 2:15 – And having disarmed the powers and authorities, (Jesus) made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. (NIV)

• Jesus not only defeated the devil, but He triumphed over Him—stripped him of his authority and power to rule on earth!

• And, because He is triumphant over the enemy, He has given you and me the authority to do the same.

• Now, that is good news!

• The word “triumph” is from the Greek word triambeuo.

• It described a general or an emperor returning home from victory his triumphal parade.

• When the conquering general entered the city, he was accompanied by—– His fellow warriors– Captured weapons and treasures

• Grand Finale – the defeated king himself in chains.• He walked in disgrace and humiliation.• This is the picture we are to see of our enemy, the

devil. • He is a defeated foe! • Because most believers don’t understand the

authority they have in Christ, the devil illegally intimidates and makes many cower in fear of him.

• Colossians 1:11-13 Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13 For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (NIV)

• He has rescued us from the dominion of the devil! • Because of that, we are free from the devil’s

dominion. • He can no longer intimidate us or dominate us.

• We need to start living like this is true. • You have been granted the Victory NOW and not

just in heaven. • THIS IS A PRESENT REALITY!!• Why are most believers not living like this is true? • IGNORANCE of the Word of God! • Charles Spurgeon & the Maid

• The devil does not want us to understand the authority we have in Jesus.

• When we do, he will no longer be able to DOMINATE or INTIMIDATE us!

• Many believers today are like that maid. • They live in a shanty in a remote corner of the

Kingdom of God. • But, God has destined us to sit on thrones and to

rule in HEAVENLY PLACES!

• Matthew 28:18-20 – 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. {And NOW I am authorizing you to GO…) 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

• When Jesus died and rose again, He took the Keys of Life and Death from the devil—meaning that He now has ALL authority!

• The One with the Keys has the authority.• He is the only one who can open the doors.• But, He does not stop there, He authorizes you and

me to go in His authority and win the Nations. • You have His authority and all that it means.• Why the devil does not want us to engage him.

• It is time that we rise up out of our stupor and go forth in the power & authority that is ours!

• The devil does not play by the rules. • He is the original terrorist, and our pre-emptive

strikes will put him on the run.• Stand up in the authority you have and no longer

allow the devil to intimidate you.• Speak the Word of God in faith!

• Battle Plan: Engage him, defeat him then move onto your destiny!

• Now, you see why you are a Dragon Slayer.

Psalm 9 1 : 1 3