The reason the Son of God appeared
was to destroy the devil’s work.
—1 John 3:8
“Jesus … died to destroy the devil” (Heb. 2:14 CEV).
Satan still “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8), but because of Jesus’ coming and dying his reach is limited.
Mailman Raymond Brown was ambushed by the most ferocious dog he had ever seen. The varmint growled, bared its teeth, and lunged—then was jerked to a sudden stop. Chained to a stake set in concrete it could come so far, but no farther. From then on Raymond always kept an eye out for the stake that held the beast at bay.
The Cross shackled Satan; he can come so far, but no farther. The Cross is the stake that holds him at bay. Keep your eye on the Stake.
Without the Cross we are ultimately defenseless.
Because of the Cross the devil is ultimately powerless.