Pastor Jack Wellman
What are four common tactics of Satan or demons
that can help us know our enemy?
Discouragement
If Christians become discouraged, they quit
trying. That brings them no closer to the finish line and it stops their
personal spiritual growth. That is not God’s will (2 Peter 3:18).
That is not an option. Plants and vegetation can
tell us a lot about ourselves. Whatever is not growing, is dying.
Discouragement is a tactic of Satan or demons to get you to pull the plug on
life or on your faith. Don’t fall for it. Know your enemy.
Deception
Even a half-truth is a whole lie and who is better
at lying than Satan? Jesus said “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your
father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in
the truth, because there is no truth in him.
When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).
When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).
Ouch, Satan. You are a liar, but when we lie, we are
being more like Satan than God because God is truth (John 14:6).
And God cannot lie (Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2).
Division
Division in a marriage can end in divorce. It gives
the devil a foothold.
When you start sensing division within the church
and friction between members, be aware that this is exactly what Satan wants.
His tactic is to divide and
conquer. Like a wise enemy, he seeks to destroy us from within.
conquer. Like a wise enemy, he seeks to destroy us from within.
Since we know that God seeks us to be completely
unified, division is at the opposite of what God wants but what Satan loves.
Did God Really Say?
We cannot trust our own feelings. Human doubt is
among the most shallow, unreliable things when it comes to deciding what is
true or not.
Rather, believe what God says of His word through
the Apostle Paul, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching,
for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of
God may
be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
I checked the Greek for “all” as in “All Scripture”
and it means, no surprise, “all!” Do not fall for the same tactic he used with
Eve in the Garden by saying, “Did God actually say…” (Genesis 3:1).
Conclusion
Try to think what Satan most desires:
- discouragement, which will take away the
effectiveness of personal witnessing;
- deception, where even a half-truth becomes a
whole lie;
- division, which turns the church in on itself;
and
- doubt, when we start doubting God’s Word.
Try to remember that what Satan loves, God hates,
and you’ll know your enemy well enough to not be deceived.
and you’ll know your enemy well enough to not be deceived.
By all means, armor up (Ephesians 6).
In this
spiritual war, there are no fence-sitters – you are either on the Lords’
victorious army or on the wicked “Powers” of Satan.
Ensure
you’re enlistment on the victorious army of the Lord. Settle that sin issue right now by saying
this prayer:
“Father God, I confess I am a sinner and my sins have separated me from
You.
I am truly sorry. I now want to
turn away from my past sinful life and live a new life pleasing to You.
Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again.
I believe that Your Son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected
from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer.
I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my
heart from this day forward.
Please send Your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for
the rest of my life. Thank you, Lord, that according to Your Word, I am born
again.
Use me for Your glory.
In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.”
Related Posts:
“MORE THAN CONQUERORS” Robert Gay
Lyrics
O, we
are more
Than
conquerors
O, we
are more
Than
conquerors
And
who can separate us
From
the love
The
love of God
O yes
we are
We are
more
Than
conquerors
O, we
are more
Than
conquerors
For He
has promised
To
fulfill His will in us
He
said that
He
would guide us
With
His eye
For He
has blessed us
With
all gifts in Christ
And we
are His delight
(Repeat
chorus)
For
He's within to finish
What’s
begun in me!
He
opens doors
That
no one can deny
He
makes a way
Where
there's no other way
And
gives me
Wings
to fly
(Repeat
chorus)
O, we
are more
Than
conquerors
O, we
are more
Than
conquerors
More
than conquerors!