By There’s a popular teaching that says Jesus went to hell after His death to fight the devil.
Some even claim Satan dragged Him there for a cosmic showdown.
But Scripture tells a different—and far more powerful—story.
Colossians 2:15 says Jesus “disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities… by His victory over them on the cross.”
Not in hell. On the cross.
The cross wasn’t just a place of suffering; I like to think of it as a trap.
Jesus lured the enemy in, took on the charges against us, then canceled them by nailing them to the cross (Colossians 2:14).
In doing so, He stripped Satan of his weapon (the law) and publicly shamed him in what Paul likens to a Roman victory parade. (More on this in my audio series, The Turning Point.)
This changes everything.
The devil isn’t waiting to be defeated in some future battle. (Not by God nor your performance through a spiritual checklist.)
He’s already disarmed.
His only remaining tactic is deception—lying about God, about Jesus and about you.
So when you hear, “You’re not good enough,” or “God’s mad at you,” simply remember: The fight is over. The cross was enough. Your victory happened at Calvary.
(I know this might beg the question: If the devil is defeated, then why does he still exist? I answer that and so much more in my series, The Turning Point: 4 Ways Jesus’ Death & Resurrection Changed Everything. Get it today for your donation of any amount.)