Many of the works of E.M. Bounds are still in print today, but three books, one which was among the only two published during his lifetime, have not been reprinted.  Bounds, Satan: His Personality, Power and Overthrow,¹ published after his death is one of his books not currently reprinted.  In Satan, Bounds is interested in clarifying for Christians the characteristics and methods of their enemy.  He writes in reaction to those who denied the authenticity of God’s Word (28), as well as the other basic tenets of Christian theology (36), Christ’s resurrection, miracles, and the reality of heaven and hell.  In this work Bounds suggests that these erroneous beliefs are the direct result of the devils activity.

He begins by acknowledging that Scripture does not contain a description of Satan’s origin (11) nor his activity directly, but that the Bible does deal indirectly with Satan as he relates to the overarching scriptural theme of man’s redemption (13).  In the Bible there is enough information “to light the unseen world, its persons, places, facts and history, not. . .in minute detail, but full enough to provoke thought and reflection, and to create and inspire faith” (14).  In spite of myths which are commonly believed concerning the devil, Bounds counsels that there are truths which can and should be known pertaining to him.  Furthermore, Bounds accepts that demonic possessions occur, and that mankind is under assault by fallen angels who with Satan “are ready . . . to hurt man and defeat God’s Kingdom on earth” (17).

Two characteristics of Satan are brought into focus by Bounds.  First, is the ability of Satan to conceal himself and his work, and second, the personhood or personality of Satan and his demons.  Of Satan’s ability to conceal his activities Bounds writes that a person would have to exercise a “breach of logic and faith” not to believe in the existence of the devil.   “To Christ the devil was one of the most real persons” (29).  Satan “infuses thoughts, makes suggestions and does it so deftly that we do not know their paternity” (35). Bounds also points out that Christ reacted personally to the devil during exorcisms.  Christ “makes a clear distinction between the human personality possessed by the devil, and the personality of the devil who holds possession.  The two are to his eye two persons” (28-29).  According to Bounds Christians must recognize the work of Satan and his forces as that of personal beings who are organized, methodical, and hard working.  Jesus’ example in relating to Satan should be followed by all Christians, “he recognized his person, felt and acknowledged his power, abhorred his character, and warred against his person and kingdom” (29).

Bounds perceives Satan through his position as “prince of this world” (31) more than any other of his agencies.  As one who rules Satan is involved in all of the activities of the world, and Church.  It is the work of the Holy Spirit to execute the ultimate breaking of Satan’s power which has already been adjudicated by Christ’s work on the cross.  Since Satan’s sentence has not yet been administered he is enabled to continue to usurp God’s authority, for a time, on the earth (30-31).  During this time man must respect the position of Satan, because  “man’s words are not to be victors in this conflict.  God’s words . . . broke the power of his assault and defeated his fell intents”(32).

Bounds next discusses the activities and methodologies of Satan.  Satan’s activity is constant, “he is a very busy character.  He does a big business a very mean business, but he does it well” (34-35). “There is no greater worker than he.  His inveterate industry and tireless perseverance are the only things in him worthy of imitation” (99).  “His method is to assume that shape which will suit his purposes at the time” (98).  “He makes people sick . . . entices men to do wrong, and inflames. . . them to do evil” (99).

By him sin loses its sinfulness, the world is clothed with double charms, self is given a double force, faith is turned into fanaticism and love into hate. . . Goodness is the point of his constant attack.  He says nothing good about the good, nothing bad about the bad.  He is always at church before the preacher is in the pulpit or a member in the pew, to hinder the sower, to impoverish the soil, or to blast the seed, that is when courage and faith are in the pulpit, and zeal and prayer in the pew. (35-36)

Another method of Satan is “to establish a wrong estimate of church strength” (44).  His goal is to make the church “become thoroughly worldly while boasting of her spirituality” (45).  Churches must be taught that “the strength of the church lies in her piety.  All else is incidental.” (46) Bounds concludes that the church is influenced far more by evil through the world and desires of the flesh than she is attacked by demons.

Unwittingly Christians display common weaknesses that enable Satan to gain the upper hand in spiritual combat.  “Heaven’s trinity of foes are the world, the flesh, and the devil” (72).  These three align themselves against the Christian.  “The world is first, most powerful and engaging” (72), receiving from Satan “a beauty and seductive power as the rival of heaven” (72).  Money, fashion, and education, are often used as weapons against the Christian.   An “unforgiving spirit” (114) will also open the way for Satan’s attack.  “As soon as a spirit of unkindness possesses us for the wrong done, Satan has the upper hand” (115).  Finally, Satan will seek to use “lust, strong natural desires” (127) against us.  In order to succeed as a Christian these lusts must be “banned and reprobated” (128) from the life of God’s children.

The devil possesses power, great power, power that is “far greater than that of God’s highest and saintliest earthly ones” (89).  Satan is able to neutralize the word of God (98), cause suggestions of evil to arise within people, even godly people, and possess the body of an individual.  We may take comfort, however, from the fact that “the power of Satan is not supreme” (94), it is limited by God.  For example Satan did not have the power of death over Job (86), and the ultimate limit to Satan’s power comes from the cross of Christ through which God “gave a shock to Satan and his power” (94)

In order to protect oneself from Satan wiles, defenses are necessary.  Greatest among these for Christians is to renounce the world which “is to renounce Satan.  This is the deadliest blow at his rule.  The friendship of the world is violative of our marriage vows to heaven” (73).  Another defense against the devil which Christians must employ is to rid themselves of what Bounds calls “a paralyzing attitude” (114).  The lingering to listen to what one knows as the voice of ruin and not truth is fatal to anyone who is serious about living purely before the Lord.  Bounds further suggests that a growing piety and spiritual development (135) through which one learns to depend solely on the power of God’s Word is the comprehensive strategy one should utilize against Satan’s attacks.

Bounds purpose in writing Satan is disclosed as he writes;

Nothing advances Satan’s work with more skillful and readier hands than to be ignorant of Satan and his ways.  To escape his snare, we must not only have a strong faith in the fact that Satan is, but also must have a most intimate knowledge of him and of his plans and many-sided ways. (112)

E. M. Bounds was a quiet and reserved man who was thoroughly Western in his mindset, meticulous in his lifestyle, and strictly biblical in his approach to doctrine and church practice.  A serious man, marked by his experiences in revival and war, he viewed prayer as a weapon.  He prayed often and understood prayer and encouraging others to pray as major components of his ministry.  These factors may bias him against many of the conclusions reached by contemporary warfare writers.  One could imagine Bounds retiring to his west Georgia home to pray down power rather than provoking a power encounter himself.

This work has many strengths, and should be read by those who are interested in a prayer centered view of spiritual warfare.  Bounds affirms at least two positions advanced by the contemporary warfare movement.  Evidence exists in his writing that he recognized at least in part the concepts of territorial spirits, and legal rights of access.  He would accept potentially at least the need for power encounters, as in the case of demon possession, but Bounds would not favor the boisterous manner utilized by some deliverance ministries.  Instead he observed that Jesus was quiet in the presence of Satan, and “awed into silence at the devil’s approach” (32) One might summarize Bounds strategy in a power encounter to be defensive rather than offensive.  While Bounds would not understand the concept of territorial spirits in the same way as Peter Wagner or Bob Beckett, he does acknowledge that Satan may also work beyond the level of persons and seek “to direct the policy and sway the scepter of nations”(43).  He realizes that “there are special seats or headquarters of his power, places where the devil makes his home and rules with an absolute sway” (90).  In these bastions the power of Satan is magnified by pagan worship and the lifestyle of the unregenerate.  Bounds writes that;

The devil’s power is greatly enhanced by his system of worship… pagan worship and devotion is very powerful.  It is not a work of chance, neither does it spring from native religious instincts.  It is a system of rare power and of rare skill, constructed by a graduate in the craft of seduction and delusion.  Satan’s hand and head are in it, all planning, ordering, and inspiring it.  It is this fact which gives it strength and influence. (91)

Although Bounds does not use the vocabulary of the proponents of a legal access theory of spiritual warfare he does suggest that Christians make themselves easy targets, occupying exposed spiritual positions, by living worldly lives.  By willingly allowing lusts of the flesh and worldly desires to remain within ones heart one gives a mighty tool to the enemy with which he may attack again and again.

One weakness of this work is its lack of biblical references in its numerous scriptural quotations.  Since most of Bounds writings are compilations he often makes similar points from many different passages of scripture.  While the passages are familiar it would be very helpful to follow his arguments if the references were cited.

Satan is a powerful book for those who are seeking information about the enemy, however, this work would be ill-fitted for one expecting a treatment of spiritual warfare in contemporary terms.  This work examines Satan from a Biblical, and conservative point of view.  Bounds emphasis on personal piety is helpful also, particularly today, in calling all Christians to a deeper spiritual life.  In Satan he identifies the drastic consequences for failing to heed this call.

We would all do well to heed the lessons taught in the poem Bounds uses in the beginning of chapter 2.

Men don’t believe in a devil now,
As their fathers used to do;
They’ve forced the door of the broadest creed
To let his majesty through;
There isn’t a print of his cloven foot,
Or a fiery dart from his bow,
To be found in earth or air to-day,
For the world has voted so.

But who is mixing the fatal draft
That palsies heart and brain,
And loads the earth of each passing year
With ten hundred thousand slain?
Who blights the bloom of the land to-day
With the fiery breath of hell,
If the devil isn’t and never was?
Won’t somebody rise and tell?

- Alfred J. Hough ²

End Notes

1. Edward McKendree Bounds.  Satan: His Personality, Power and Overthrow. New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1922

2.Edward McKendree Bounds., Satan: His Personality, Power and Overthrow (Edited by Homer W. Hodge. New York: Fleming H. Revell, 1922), 18.