Is It True That Only "breaking the Hedge" Exposes the Believer to Successful Satanic Attacks?
Direct Answer
Not exactly. The Bible shows two ways Satan touches a believer: (1) when the believer “breaks the hedge” by sin and unbelief, giving him a place; and (2) when God Himself permits a test. But only the first gives Satan a real advantage. When God allows a trial, it is limited and turns to the believer’s good—not to Satan’s victory.
Scriptural Explanation
- Job did not sin, yet Satan could afflict him only because God allowed it—and with strict limits (Job 1:10–12; 2:6). That was testing, not defeat. Job’s faith stood.
- “Whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him” (Ecclesiastes 10:8). That’s the warning: step out of the Word’s protection and you invite the bite.
- “Neither give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27). Place is given by disobedience—anger, lies, lust, unforgiveness (see Ephesians 4:25–32; 2 Corinthians 2:10–11).
- “Be sober… resist… steadfast in the faith” (1 Peter 5:8–9). The hedge is faith and obedience. Submit to God, then resist (James 4:7).
- God’s tests are bounded and faithful: “He will… make a way to escape” (1 Corinthians 10:13). They refine, not ruin (1 Peter 1:6–7). And the sheep cannot be plucked from His hand (John 10:28–29; Romans 8:35–39).
- Dwelling “in the secret place of the most High” is the place of kept protection (Psalm 91).
Simple Clarifying Logic
- If the only way Satan could touch a believer were personal failure, what about Job and Peter? Job was upright, yet tested (Job 1:1; 1:12). Peter was sifted, yet kept by Christ’s intercession (Luke 22:31–32). Those were permissions for proving, not permissions for Satan to conquer.
- When we break the hedge—leave the Word, harbor sin—we open a door. Then the serpent has a bite, and Satan gains an advantage.
- When God permits a trial while we remain under the Blood, Satan is on a leash. He may afflict circumstances, but he cannot overthrow faith. God turns it to our strengthening.
Reinforcing Statement
Stay under the Blood, stay with the Word, and give no place to the devil. If God allows a test, it will purify you. If you break the hedge, repent quickly and close the door.
Final Conclusion
No. Satan can touch a believer either by our breaking the hedge (which gives him an advantage) or by God’s limited permission for testing (which cannot defeat faith). Only breaking the hedge grants Satan a real foothold; God-permitted trials are bounded and work for the believer’s good.
Ask a Follow-up Question
What did the Laodicean Church Age (our age) Angel (- messenger) Say about this?
Ranked passages from the local William Branham sermon and Church Age Book database. Relevance is relative, not a statement of doctrinal certainty.
Thy House
61-0808 §27
So we find out that Job was a righteous man when God was testing him, because Satan said, "Oh, sure..." When he come up before God, with the sons of God, he said ... God said to him, "Where've you been?" He said, "Oh, just walking to and fro, and up and down on the earth." Said, "You consider my servant Job? He's a perfect man. There's nobody on the earth like him." God was pleased with that. Oh, He just loves to have a servant that He can trust in. He said, "There's not another man on earth like him, see." Said, "...
How can I overcome?
63-0825M §50
In the days of Daniel's time there was four overcomers that could stand the test of fire and lions. Now, we're expected to be tested. That's a good lesson for my brother back there also. He that cometh to God must first be tested! Tested what? With the Word. That's God's test. Do you believe it? He that cometh to God must be tested. That only shows a true child (see?)--- be tested. And when the test comes on, you can't overcome 'less there's a test give to you. And when a test is given, it's to see whether you can...
The Harvest Time
64-1212 §56
...every point just like we are. The Bible said He was. He was tempted like Noah. He was tempted like Moses. He was tempted like all the rest of them. If we had time to break that down and show you, but we haven't, 'cause I don't want to take too much of your time. But, to break it down and show you, He was tempted in the same manner. Satan never changes his tactics, neither does God, just changes ages. But what ... Satan got in back there, to the first family of God, on earth. Here it is brother, sister. Don't fail...
Hebrews, Chapter 6, part 3
57-0915M §51
Certainly the devil will trap him here and there, but not willfully. The Bible said so. The devil will trap him now and then. Sure, he will. He tried to throw a trap to our Lord Jesus. He did to Moses, and caught him. He did to Peter, and caught him. He did to many, but... Peter even denied Him, but then he went and wept bitterly; there was something in him.
Faith without works is dead
53-0905 §6
He's one that doesn't even have a prayer line. He just stands there with the Scriptures and explains it in such a way till the people just have to see it. That's all. And listen. That is the initial way of divine healing. You know that? The Word of God will defeat Satan anywhere, any time, on any conditions. Is that right? When Jesus was here on earth, all the great gifts there was in Heaven, He had them right with him. What the Father was, He was; for He was God, the Son, here on earth. God was in Christ reconcili...