This article is a summary from the following episode: How Satan Uses the Law.
If you’ve been following us for a while, you know we care deeply about encouraging weary pilgrims to rest in Christ. And one of the things we keep coming back to—because Paul keeps coming back to it—is the danger of legalism. But here’s something we often miss in that conversation: legalism isn’t just a human problem. According to the Apostle Paul, it's also spiritual warfare.
That might sound intense. But we’re not overstating it—Paul himself says it. Legalism isn’t just a theological mistake. It’s a strategy used by the enemy to enslave God’s people and obscure the finished work of Jesus. When we add anything to Christ, Paul says we’re not just tinkering with doctrine—we’re falling under the influence of the kingdom of darkness.
Let’s explain.
The Law as a Weapon
Paul uses strong language in Galatians 4 and Colossians 2. He talks about “elemental spirits of the world,” “rulers,” and “authorities.” And in both letters, he draws a straight line between these powers and the misuse of the law.
In Colossians 2:14–15, he says that Jesus disarmed these rulers and authorities by canceling “the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands.” That’s law language. And what did Jesus do with that debt? He nailed it to the cross. That’s not just good news—it’s warfare. Christ publicly shamed the enemy by taking away their weapon: condemnation.
And yet, what does the kingdom of darkness do? They keep holding up the law as a tool to accuse, condemn, and enslave. And far too often, we as Christians—maybe unknowingly—join in.
Satan Loves Religion
We often assume that Satan’s best work shows up in things like murder, exploitation, and moral chaos. But the Scriptures paint a more subtle—and more dangerous—picture. Paul, Peter, and John all warn us that Satan’s strategy is often to masquerade as an angel of light. And when it comes to twisting the truth, he doesn’t need to invent a new religion—he just needs to distort the gospel.
He did it in the garden. He did it when he tempted Jesus. And he’s still doing it today.
As we said in a recent conversation, Michael Horton nails it when he says that if Satan ran the world, it wouldn’t necessarily be a horror show. It might look religious, moral, even virtuous—but it would be void of Christ. That’s the real deception. That’s the kind of “faith” that damns.
Satan doesn’t mind if we believe in God. He minds if we trust in Christ alone. If he can convince us to believe in Jesus plus something—plus obedience, plus law-keeping, plus personal holiness—then he’s already got us wrapped in chains.
Paul Doesn’t Hold Back
If this sounds dramatic, just go read Galatians again. Paul says, “Who has bewitched you?” (Galatians 3:1). That’s not a metaphor. He’s saying, “You’re under a spell. You’ve come under the influence of something dark.” And what caused it? They were adding law to the gospel.
That’s why Paul is so stark. In Galatians 5, he says that if we accept circumcision—if we add even one requirement of the law—then “Christ is of no advantage to you.” Not some advantage. No advantage. Because it’s either all of Christ or none of Him. There’s no middle ground. Legalism doesn’t help us get closer to God. It actually pulls us further away.
This is why we get so fired up. This isn’t just a theological nuance. This is the gospel. This is spiritual warfare.
Our Armor Is Christ
So what do we do? We don’t fight the enemy with cleverness or charisma. We fight with clarity. We proclaim Christ crucified—again and again. We remind ourselves and each other that our standing with God is not based on our performance, but on Jesus’ finished work.
We stand in His righteousness. We wear His armor. We trust His promises. And we rest in His grace.
And when the accuser whispers, “You haven’t done enough,” we point to the cross and say, “It is finished.”
Don’t Be Fooled
Friend, if your heart is being pulled away from Christ alone—even in subtle ways—you’re not just drifting. You’re stepping into enemy territory. When Paul warns us not to be “taken captive by philosophy and empty deceit” (Col. 2:8), he’s talking about teachings that sound religious, sound moral, sound wise—but are not of Christ.
Legalism is not harmless. It’s demonic. That’s not our opinion. That’s Paul’s.
We’re not saying the law is bad. Not at all. It’s beautiful and good when used rightly. It shows us our sin. It guides our lives in Christ. But it can’t save. It can’t justify. And it can’t sanctify. If we use it for those purposes, we’re back under bondage—and we’re playing right into the enemy’s hands.
Keep Clinging to Christ
Let us say this as clearly as we can: We are secure because of Christ, not because of our obedience. We are justified because of His righteousness, not ours. And we are sanctified by His Spirit working through the gospel, not our performance or checklist.
We believe all of Christ is for all of life. Anything less is slavery.
So if someone tells you Jesus plus something else equals righteousness—whether it’s a leader, a book, a podcast, or even that voice in your own head—you can say with confidence, “That’s not from God. That’s from the kingdom of darkness.”
And then keep holding fast to Jesus. Keep resting. Keep hearing the gospel, week in and week out. Keep gathering with others who need it just as much as we do.
The devil may be a roaring lion, but he’s a defeated one. And Christ has already crushed his head.
