The Devices of Satan

When Jesus died on the cross and then rose again, He conquered Satan and his demonic hosts, taking away all their power, “having disarmed the powers and authorities He made a show of them openly” (Colossians 2:15). They now wage war through lies, deceit, and fear which he works into all areas of our lives: our attitudes, emotions, thoughts, and even the physical.

However, they only have power in these areas as we give it to them! The apostle Paul declared that we are not ignorant of his devices (2 Corinthians 2:11), but unfortunately that is just not true for the majority of believers today!

The Devil’s Opportunity Have you ever been angry? Of course you have. Me too. And so was Jesus when He saw the money changers in the temple.

I’m sure He was also angry when He saw the multitudes in deep poverty and with much sickness. His heart grieved when He saw the results of the disobedience of Adam falling on all mankind. The feeling of anger is not sin. Feelings are not moral or immoral - they are amoral. What we do with our feelings, however, does matter, greatly. Paul exhorts us that when we are angry we must not sin. Then continues to add, “and do not let the sun go down on your anger” (Ephesians 4:26).

We must deal with the situation right away. If we allow the anger within to fester, it will produce a bitterness that will rob us of God’s best. As long as we are in this world, people will do us wrong, and offenses will come. Jesus warned us of that (Luke 17:1). There might be a ‘good’ cause behind our anger within us, but He has given us His Holy Spirit to enable us to know grace in those times.

“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled” (Hebrews 12: 15).

If we do not deal with the anger in the appropriate way (which we will discuss later), we are playing right into the hands of the enemy! Paul continues by saying “and do not give the devil an opportunity” (Ephesians 4:27). Later, in the same portion of Scripture dealing with our conversations with one another, he warns us that we may be grieving the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30).

When we bear anger (or other wrong attitudes), the enemy has access to our thoughts, spreading his lies and deceit to drive a wedge further in. Soon it appears that reconciliation is impossible, and he has won that battle.

Jesus warned us to be on our guard (Luke 17:3) and Paul charged us to be sure that no advantage be taken of us by Satan (2 Corinthians 2:11). Both are in the context of forgiveness to those whom we perceive as having wronged us. An attitude of unforgiveness (like anger) gives the enemy an advantage - an opportunity - a foothold in our life. The opposite attitudes of forgiveness and peace defeat him.

The Roaring Lion Have you ever seen a lion stalking its prey? I haven’t, but I assume it is much like my cat stalking the birds or mice in our garden. He crouches very low and moves very slowly so as not to warn his intended prey of his intentions. He certainly doesn’t let them know he is coming by making a loud meow!

What, then, does the apostle Peter mean when he tells us to “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8)?

In “Pilgrim’s Progress” by John Bunyan, we read that Pilgrim was approaching the Palace Beautiful which was built for the relief and security of believers. He now understood why Timorous and Mistrust, others seeking the Celestial City, had fled past him in great fear, for the entranceway was guarded by two lions.

Immediately, Pilgrim’s heart sank and he also became afraid.

If a lion came bounding into your room and roared at you, I imagine you would react like them - full of fear! I would!

Roaring lions have that effect on us - they are very frightening.

Soon, Pilgrim noticed that both lions were chained and that, so long as he walked a narrow path between them, neither could reach him to cause him harm. We need to understand that the lion, Satan, has had his teeth pulled and is chained.

He cannot harm the people of God so long as we keep to the narrow way. Even when we step off the narrow way, the Father’s love reaches out to bring us back before the enemy can destroy us. However, he will roar, and many are defeated by their emotions reacting to the roar.

His roar is often that of the accuser, bringing condemnation.

It was the first time Mary had sung the solo parts in the youth choir. It went well except for that high note in the chorus where she was a little weak and wobbly. It was only a quiet voice whispering in her ear that told her, “You made a fool of yourself,” but it was the roar of the lion. She vowed never to sing in public again.

Pastor John had such high hopes when he began ministry at St. Peter’s church. Now, just two years later he was leaving.

The youth group had not grown in numbers as the senior pastor had expected, so John was invited to leave. The lion roared, “you’ll never be successful as a pastor. You’re a failure!” A week later, he reapplied for the secular job he had left when he first believed that God had called him into the pastorate.

Alec had slipped again. He so longed to be free from this filthy habit of smoking, but it was too tempting when he’d been offered this cigarette. Now he was feeling guilty, and the lion roared, “God can’t use you. You’re always letting Him down!”

Not only does the lion roar at every slip or failure, but he knows which of our emotions are the most likely to be affected by the roar. For some it is the emotion of guilt, for others, it’s fear. Many react to his roar in the emotions of low self-esteem, lacking confidence. Where do you react?

How sad when the roar of the lion comes through the thoughtless comment of another believer! It is important in the Body of Christ to affirm one another to counteract the lies - the roar of the devil!

The Archer When one is about to wage a battle, it is good to occupy the high ground. This enables you to see their moves so that you can take the appropriate steps to counteract them. We need to understand as believers, the tremendous privilege we have of being “in Christ.” Paul declares that God has “exalted Jesus, far above every rule and authority and power and dominion” (Ephesians 1:21).

To the Jews, these are the names of the ranks of the demonic army of Satan, but all of them are far beneath His feet. He has crushed the head of their master and has all authority over them. He wills us to exercise that authority so that we may learn to be overcomers. Those that would reign with Him must be worthy to wear a crown, and crowns are only to be given to the overcomers.

“[Christ has] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the Heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6).

We must live on that higher ground where the only way Satan can reach us is by firing his fiery arrows. We have also been provided with a sure defense against those flaming missiles when Paul writes, “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16) As the enemy would throw his lies and accusations against us, we hold up our shield of faith, remembering that “faith comes by hearing… the Word of God” (Romans 10:17).

We need to know who we are and the privileges of being “ in Christ .”

I am… ● A child of God (John 1:12).

● A friend of Jesus (John 15:15).

● A joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17).

● Joined to the Lord (1 Corinthians 6:17).

● A member of His Body (Ephesians 5:30).

● Reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:18).

● God’s handiwork (Ephesians 2:10).

● A citizen of Heaven (Philippians 3:20).

● A new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).

● Chosen by God (Colossians 3:12).

● A saint (Ephesians 1:1).

● A stranger to this world (1 Peter 2:11).

● What I am (1 Corinthians 15:10).

● Satan’s enemy (1 Peter 5:8).

● Clothed in righteousness (Ephesians 4:24).

● God’s dwelling place (1 Corinthians 3:16).

● A member of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people for God’s own possession (1 Peter 2:9- 10).

In Christ I… ● Am completely forgiven (Romans 5:1).

● Am greatly blessed (Ephesians 1:3).

● Am chosen to be holy (Ephesians 1:4).

● Am sealed by His Spirit (Ephesians 1:13).

● Am predestined to be His child (Ephesians 1:5).

● Have Christ within me (Colossians 1:27).

● Am made complete (Colossians 2:10).

● Am bought back from Satan (Ephesians 1:7).

● Am seated in Heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6).

● Am free from condemnation (Romans 8:1).

● Have direct access to God (Ephesians 2:18).

● May come to God confidently (Ephesians 3:12).

For a more complete list, read your Bible!

It used to be that there was a simple remedy for most minor ailments, “Just take two aspirins and go to bed!” Today, I have a simple remedy for most of the minor attacks of the enemy to offer.

Take two of the above Scriptures each day and meditate on them. Your faith will soon grow strong, and the fiery arrows will be less effective against you.