The devil does not want us to be victorious- he prefers that we remain inactive, paralyzed by fear.  One of the main ways, possibly the primary way, that the devil comes against us is through fear.  He sends a spirit of fear to intimidate us. 

Fear is defined as to turn and take flight, or to flee.  In II Timothy 1:7 we find that fear is actually a demonic spirit sent to prevent us from taking any ground in the spirit realm.  It works by speaking negative thoughts to our minds, producing negative emotions.  If we believe the lies that this spirit brings, we will find ourselves unable to walk in the blessings, promises and freedom of God.  The key is to identify his lies, stand against them, and pursue God's will regardless of how we feel.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 (KJV)

In the Passion Translation (TPT), this verse reads:

So then, surrender to God. Stand up to the devil and resist him and he will turn and run away from you.

Interesting.  As children of God, we submit ourselves to God and His Word.  And then as His children, we have authority over the devil in Jesus's name (Mark 16:17).  Therefore, if we commit our ways to God and resist the lies of the enemy, then we will turn the table on the devil.  Since the definition of fear is to flee or run away, then the child of God who walks in his or her authority is actually making the devil flee, or run away in fear.

The truth is that the born-again child of God who understands the authority that has been given to us at salvation actually strikes terror into the heart of the devil.  That is why he must try to intimidate us with a spirit of fear.  If he can get us to buy the lie and pull back in fright, then he can steal the advantage.

Get in the Word, my friend!  Know the truth and it will make you free from the spirit of fear (John 8:32).  When you know what is true, then you will not be tricked into believing a lie.  Then armed with the Word of Truth, which is the Sword of the Spirit, stand against the devil (Ephesians 6:17).  Resist the lies.  Respond by speaking the Word repeatedly until he sees that you mean business.  When he knows that you are not going to back down and that you are in it to win it, he will truly run away in terror, screaming like a little girl.  But, you must believe the Word and you must stand on it insistently.  The devil will try to stick around to see if he can back you down.  That is why you must resist him consistently, regardless of what you see or feel.

It gives me great pleasure to envision the devil, cringing and fleeing from me in fear.  It's a picture he does not want me to have in my mind because it shows who he really is; a defeated foe who is trying through fear and intimidation to cling to something that has already been stripped from him.  Stand, my brothers and sisters!  Resist his lies, enforce God's truth, and turn the table on the defeated foe!