Podcast Summary

Episode Overview

Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Episode: In Nothing Be Terrified, Part One | Jesus the Healer Broadcast
Date: May 21, 2020
Speaker: Pastor Nancy Dufresne

This episode, led by Pastor Nancy Dufresne, focuses on the spiritual authority of believers over the devil and his kingdom, emphasizing the absolute defeat of Satan by Jesus. Pastor Nancy encourages listeners not to be terrified by adversity, highlighting that ignorance is the primary way the devil gains influence over believers. Drawing from Scriptures such as Psalms 27 and Philippians 1, she teaches practical steps for maintaining spiritual victory and refusing fear.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Defeat of Satan and Spiritual Authority of Believers

• Jesus has thoroughly defeated Satan and his demons, "reduced them to nothing" ([00:08]).
• Satan is defeated but not yet imprisoned; he still seeks to influence, but has no real authority over God’s children.
  • “Jesus stripped them of their authority over those who belong to God.” – Nancy Dufresne ([00:51])
• Not all people are automatically children of God; one must receive Christ to become His.
  • “God is the Creator of all men, but he is not the Lord of all... Every man must receive him to become His.” ([01:15])

Notable Insight

• The enemy relies on believers' ignorance to retain any influence.
  • “The devil is counting on the ignorance of men... so that he can work an advantage over them.” ([03:00])
• Using the analogy of a bully, Pastor Nancy explains that the devil’s intimidation is a bluff that must be called by understanding one’s authority.

2. Exercising Authority Over Three Realms

• Believers have complete authority over:

  1. Their own flesh (“Sometimes it can just be your flesh tripping you up”) ([05:55])
  2. The world/system (“The flow that’s all around will try to trip you up”)
  3. Satan and his demonic realm

  “Our authority is total. What that means is Jesus has made us master. Satan is our subject. We are master over him.” ([06:51])

3. The Devil’s Tactics: Observation and Opportunism

• The devil and his demons “lie in wait,” watching for believers to drop their guard, cease paying attention, or lay down their authority ([08:30]).
  • “The devil is observing you. Evil spirits are observing you. Don’t be afraid—they don’t have authority just because they’re observing.” ([09:31])
• Staying alert and “paying attention” to one’s spiritual life, relationships, and thoughts closes doors to the enemy.
• Wrong actions and associations can give the enemy a foothold: anger, gossip, fear, and hanging out with those who do not walk in the light ([13:55-16:00]).

4. Two Defenses Against the Enemy (from Psalm 27:11)

• “Teach me your way, O Lord…” — Knowing and doing things God’s way prevents enemy access.
• “Lead me in a plain path…” — Walking on God’s ordained path closes off enemy entrances.
  • “Our way is going to give the devil opportunity. His way – the door’s closed.” ([16:55-18:05])

5. Living Unafraid: A Sign of Victory

• Philippians 1:28: “And in nothing terrified by your adversaries…”
  • Not being afraid is a “flashing sign” to the devil and his demons that they are defeated ([19:50]).
  • “If you’re not terrified by your adversaries, it’s a sign to them that they’re doomed, defeated.” ([20:30])
• Fearlessness doesn’t depend on situation or feeling. God has already seen the end and declared: “You win.”
  • “The word of the Lord came to me and God said to me, ‘I've already seen the end and you win.’” – Nancy Dufresne ([21:23])

6. Faith: Walking by What God Sees

• Faith means acting not according to feelings or circumstances but by the victory God has already seen and declared ([22:02]):
  • “Faith is just walking by what he sees... He’s already seen your healing, your victory, your provision.”

7. Your Countenance and Words Are Observed

• Demons are not all-knowing but observe actions, listen to words, and watch countenance ([23:10-24:45]).
  • “If your face falls, they know we got them… When you say you’re afraid, they will just poke that button.”
• Waking up rejoicing and expressing confidence in God is a “sign” to observers of your victory.
  • “Wake up rejoicing. Because it is a sign to Satan and evil spirits that are watching you that their plan fails.” ([25:40])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On spiritual authority:

  “Our authority is total. What that means is Jesus has made us master. Satan is our subject. We are master over him.”
  — Nancy Dufresne ([06:51])

• On being observed by the enemy:

  “The devil is no bigger than you make him. The devil is no greater than you make him. You make him small in your eyes, that’s what he is in your life. The way you think of him is the way he will treat you. If you’re afraid of him, he’ll keep you afraid. But I tell you what, he is defeated.”
  ([11:40])

• On waking up with the right attitude:

  “It matters that when you get up in the morning, that this looks like it knows God, that this looks like the word is true… Wake up rejoicing. Because it is a sign to Satan and evil spirits that are watching you that their plan fails.”
  ([25:40])

• On God’s eternal perspective:

  “The word of the Lord came to me and God said to me, ‘I've already seen the end and you win.’”
  ([21:23])

Important Timestamps

• 00:08 — Introduction to the defeat of Satan and believers’ authority
• 03:00 — The devil counts on believers’ ignorance
• 05:55 — Authority over the flesh, world, and Satan
• 08:30 — The enemy observes, seeking an opportunity
• 09:31 — Psalm 23 and the “table in the presence of enemies”
• 13:55 — How wrong actions/words give place to the enemy
• 16:55 — The two defenses: God’s way and path
• 18:55 — Victory is always assured if on God’s path
• 19:50-22:02 — Philippians 1:28 and the “token of perdition” for the enemy
• 21:23 — Memorable story: “God said to me, ‘I’ve already seen the end and you win.’”
• 23:10-25:40 — How attitude, words, and countenance are observed by the enemy; the power of rejoicing

Conclusion

Pastor Nancy Dufresne powerfully reinforces the message that Satan is a defeated foe with no true authority over believers. Through scriptural teaching and personal testimony, she makes it clear that vigilance, right living, and fearless faith keep the enemy at bay. “In nothing be terrified” is not a suggestion, but a strategy—one that shines as a sign of victory to the enemy and assures every believer of their overcoming position in Christ.