True Christians are free from the power of darkness, that is, born-again, bought by the Blood of the Lamb. However, there was a time when all were under the influence and the dominion of Satan’s kingdom on the earth. Having said that, we should not ignore the fact we still have an enemy who wants to harm and render us ineffective as God’s representatives.
“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:12-13)
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12)
Satan is a sworn enemy of God, and as such, an enemy of all things pertaining to God, such as His people (believers) and His Church, the Bride of Christ. I believe it is vital for Christians to understand and recognize the tactics and cunning devices of this enemy we face. The Bible encourages us to be aware of his schemes.
“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” (2 Corinthians 2:11)
So, in this brief article, I will talk about this enemy of God, Satan.
Far too many Christians are backslidden and defeated in their walk with Christ because they are unaware of Satan’s clever tactics in their lives. Understand, Satan is the enemy of God and His Church. That means, if you belong to God he is your enemy as well. His objective is to destroy the work of God in your life, and he will use anything to achieve his goal, so, you need to understand this opponent, and his workings.
Those who know and understand their enemy win many victories in war. It is much the same in spiritual warfare, the more we know and understand about our enemy the more watchful we will be, as well as being able to hinder his assaults.
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
Who is Satan? He is a powerful angelic created being with strength to mislead.
You would do well to remember that the devil, Satan, is even now a powerful angelic being of great beauty, and is able to transform himself into an angel of light, and to alter his demon ministers into ministers of righteousness. Are you not sure about this?
“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)
“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (Matthew 24:24)
Do you need more? Well, Satan is also the god of this age, ruler or prince of this world.
“Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.” (John 14:30)
“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Corinthians 4:4)
“And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.” (1 John 5:19)
How does Satan achieve his goals in human lives? He works smoothly and covertly through many deceptions.
“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:3)
He entices us to make little concessions that seem of no consequence, but ends up entangling us in sin.
He often camouflages his deceptions within the Word of God. Why do you think we have so many differing doctrines and interpretations? Through his craftiness, he will cause man to question God’s intent, and man will ultimately add something to the Word, or remove something from it, all for man’s destruction. How do you believe he was successful in deceiving Eve? Through confusion and twisting in reasoning, he was able to move Eve to question God’s very Word.
“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” (Genesis 3:1)
In addition, to gain advantage over Christians, he may transform himself into an angel of light, even using false signs and wonders.
“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” (2 Corinthians 11:14-15)
The devil will also cause us to stumble in our faith laying traps of all kinds in our walk.
“Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings. 5 The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me.” (Psalm 140:4-5)
The Bible warns us of Satan’s many activities in the world. The devil prompts us or tempts us to sin. He steals, kills, and destroys. He distresses the blameless. He blinds the minds of unbelievers and slanders and accuses God’s children. He counters the Christian to hinder their Kingdom advances. He places people in the church under his evil influence to agitate, cause conflict, and weaken it.
Satan hates everything God! Man bears the image of God, so he contends with man at every point. Marriage is of God. It is ordained of Heaven. God gave the first bride away. It is the first and holiest institution among humankind. Therefore, Satan attempts to destroy marriage and make it appear to be either unnecessary or used against the laws and designs of God.
In the Garden of Eden, God, Himself, hallowed and sanctified the first home, the family unit, and it has been a target of Satan to this day. The first murder came because of the devil coming between siblings with jealousy, anger, resentment, and hatred.
There are many things the demonic world uses against children and families, but if one does not believe demons exist they will never heed the warnings nor protect their children and families. However, they will not go away just because one chooses not to believe. A few things that I know Satan to use against home and family, because of my former involvement in the demonic cult before being free by Christ, consist of: drugs, alcohol, sex, certain music, racism, certain games (some of which are very popular today, even in the church), and much more.
Christian, even Jesus knew of their presence and influence; He spoke of them, to them, and cast them out of individuals.
It is important for you to understand believer, that Satan, our enemy, is already defeated in every way possible. Jesus defeated Him for all time at the Cross. By the blood of His testimony, and the authority given us by the name of Jesus, we may apply defeat over Satan in our lives.
“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
However, the key is, Church, you must wake up to Satan’s schemes, stop justifying your participation in his, so-called harmless activities, and stop playing his games! You cannot abide in Jesus, His Word, and the world at the same time! Wake up! Pray On!
