Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants. II Timothy 2:26 (New Living Translation, NLT)

The devil sets snares, or traps, through circumstances, people, or even by our own actions. For example, something goes wrong and you feel negative emotions and you speak out those emotions. Those negative, wrong words that were spoken, gives the devil legal access into your life to take you captive with the words you spoke.

The phrase held captive in this verse is the Greek word zoogreeo, which means to take an animal alive. And that’s what the devil tries to do. He uses the words of your mouth to trap you and make you feel like there’s no way to escape. However, he’s a liar, and the truth is that the same mouth that got you into trouble can get you out.

As God shows us what is going on and the role our words have played in trapping us, we can repent of wrong words. Then we change our words and use our authority in Jesus against the devil. Our words are then coming against the enemy instead of against ourselves. As a result, we are recovered, or delivered, from the snare of the devil. We can forgive, love, and come out of the situation free and liberated.

As we use our words to work for us and not against us. we give the devil no place, no legal grounds, to work in our lives. This prevents him from getting a foothold and turning it into a stronghold. Speaking God’s Word in every situation is how we exercise our authority, allowing us to walk in victory and not defeat.