Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. (I John 3:8 ESV)
Victory
Even though it takes the entire football team to win, usually one player is deemed the Most Valuable Player. Even though graduates know that myriads of folk assisted them in their accomplishment, ‘thank-you’ speeches focus on a few contributors. Even though an entire medical team assists in overcoming health troubles, the doctor receives most of the accolades.
But when it comes to the universal defeat of Satan, powerful in his hatred of God, there is only One hero.
God’s people take part in the battles against God’s other enemies: the flesh, and the world. But Satan is beyond our understanding, power, and responsibility.
But Christ trumps Satan, smothers the devil, and trounces the evil one.
The Incarnation made that possible. As man, Christ is a human hero, defender, and representative against Satan. Christ defeated Satan by resisting every Spiritual temptation. His obedience is accredited to our account, if we are believers, and so we become innocent of Satan’s accusations in God’s throne room.
As God, Christ is holiness, perfection, all-powerful, and omniscient. No one can stand against Him. No matter the enemy, God wins every contest, battle, and war. It might not happen in our desired timing, but God’s timing is actually always perfect. Christ, God’s only begotten Son, fights the Trinity’s battles and wins.
And we celebrate that Incarnation during the Season of Christmas.
The miracle birth of the Messiah, being necessarily both God and man, was the focus in the battle against Satan.
Satan lost because that baby was born.