Scripture References:
Ephesians 3:10-11
1 Timothy 6:15
Revelation 20:10
Matthew 8
1 John 5:19
Galatians 5:19-21
Revelation 9:20-21
Isaiah 8
Ephesians 2:2
2 Corinthians 11:14
2 Corinthians 2:11
1 Timothy 6:17
Luke 12:6-7
James 1:17
Spiritual Warfare
You’re in the fight. You may not know that. But everyday, there is a constant tug and pull for your soul between the armies of God and the armies of Satan.
People all over the world are trying to connect to their Creator. Many of these people attempt to connect to the spiritual world by using evil forces as guides, such as astrology, witchcraft, palm readings, and tarot cards.
If you are fighting on God’s army, your guide into the spiritual world is Jesus Christ, and he alone! As Christians, we should have nothing to do with the evil forces of the spiritual world.
Whether you’re just beginning to fight the good fight on God’s army, been in the battle for years, or simply just interested in learning more about the opposing sides, it’s imperative that we identify and expose the tricks Satan uses in attempt to win us over. We do this “in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” (2 Corinthians 2:11)
3 Schemes of Satan
In Genesis 3, Satan used three main tactics on Adam and Eve in order to make them lose their battle. He can use the same ones on us if we are not alert:
He makes us…
- Doubt or deny God’s Word. “Did God really say…?”
Sometimes, we can treat God’s word as if he didn’t mean what he said. Do you debate God in the heat of the moment? Even if you’re not verbally questioning his commands, your life will show that you’re debating it. In order to have victory, you should know God’s word well and decide to live by it.
He tells us that…
- God is keeping good from you or God is holding out on you or God doesn’t want you to be happy.
Satan has nothing good to give you. He takes what is good from God. He twists it. He ruins it. Then lies to us about it. We need to believe that God loves us and God wants the best for us! In James 1:17, it says that, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” The good stuff is from God.
He convinces us that…
- We know better than God.
Have you ever felt that you know what’s best for you? That you know what’s going to make you happy more than God knows? God knows whats gonna make us happy more than we know.
Can you think of a time in your life where Satan has used one of these schemes against you?
Realizing such things should not result in a feeling of defeat, because the closer you become to God— in obedience, prayer, reading the scriptures, and doing his will— you will become more powerful than Satan himself.
Thoughts to Consider:
Though we are not naturally more powerful than Satan, we can become more powerful than Satan because of the Holy Spirit God gives to us when we become Christians.
The further away you get from God, the weaker you get; hence, the more susceptible you are to losing the fight against Satan.
If you feel like God has forgotten you, he has not forgotten you. God doesn’t only closely track 7 billion peoples lives, but he has the hairs on your head numbered. (Luke 12:6-7) Though sometimes he takes his hands off the wheel for us to be tested and he gives us the freedom to make our own choices, he’s deeply, intimately, and consistently involved in what you’re going through.