Some teach that Christians are to pray pleading the blood of Jesus in order to receive protection and strength from the powers of darkness. And they base their teaching on the Passover and the following verse, “They triumphed over [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” ( Revelation 12:11). But this verse simply means that saints overcame the devil because of the victory Christ offered on the cross.
There is no example in the Bible of any believer “pleading the blood” of Jesus to obtain victory over sin. The phrase the blood of Jesus in the New Testament means “the death of Christ.” It is a fact that the death of our Lord offered forgiveness of sin, reconciliation to God, and restoration to God’s original image (Genesis 1:26). But when it comes to prayer, the believer needs to follow what the Scriptures teach us.
The Bible instruct that Christians are to pray in the name of Jesus to obtain grace, power and victory over sin. Jesus said, “In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:23,24).
Further, the Bible explains that there is also a role that the believer has to play in fighting the dark powers. The Scriptures teach, “Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). Submission implies complete trust that all God’s arrangements on behalf of the believer are for his own good (Heb. 12:9). Then, the believer needs to use God’s grace to actively resist the devil. Every Christian must resist temptation as Christ did in the wilderness and all through His life. And, the Lord promises not to allow any temptation to afflict us beyond our power of resistance (1 Cor. 10:13).
Finally, the believer needs to abide daily in Christ through study of His Word, prayer, and witnessing to experience full victory . Jesus said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me” (John 15:4).
Check out our Bible Answers page for more information on a variety of topics.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
