. . . that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. (2 Cor. 2:11)
All humans have a supernatural enemy whose aim is to use pain and pleasure to make us blind, senseless, and lost — forever. He is: “the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world . . . the accuser” (Rev. 12:9–10), “the god of this age” (2 Cor. 4:4). The whole world willingly “follows the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience” (Eph. 2:2). Those who know Jesus Christ as savior are called to daily resistance of this enemy (1 Pt. 5:9; Ja. 4:7), including the daily refusal to give him an opportunity (Eph. 4:27), and the daily stand against his schemes (Eph. 6:11).
Satan’s Restraint and Purpose
God is sovereign (Col. 1:16). The devil is restrained, doing no more than God permits (Job 2:6; Lk. 22:31). Therefore, God has a role for Satan in a “good warfare” (1 Tim. 1:18) and a “good fight” (1 Tim. 6:12). It is ‘good’, not because we might be killed (which we might! — Rev. 2:10), but because this war refines the gold of our faith (1 Pt. 1:7) in life and the life hereafter. Being in control, God provides: “Take . . . the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times” (Eph. 6:17–18). Given God knows exactly the strategies against us, He has recorded them in His eternal Word, so we are not outwitted. The reason we will not be outwitted is that “we are not ignorant of his designs” (2 Cor. 2:11).
Satan’s Wiles & Schemes
As a fulfillment of “train your hands for war and your fingers for battle” (Psalm 144:1), be forewarned of the following ten wiles and schemes of Satan:
1. Satan lies, and is the father of lies (John 8:44). Satan’s first words undermined God’s truth (Gen. 3:1) followed by lying, contradicting God (Gen. 3:4). Satan “has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him” (Jn. 8:44) hence, we are dealing with anti-truth and unqualified deception.
2. He blinds the minds of unbelievers: “The god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” (2 Cor. 4:4). Satan lies, hides what is true, blinds many to the gospel. He does let everyone see facts, even proofs, but not the ‘preciousness’ or the truth of God in application to their lives.
3. He masquerades in costumes of light and righteousness. In 2 Cor. 11:13–15, Paul says that some people are posing as apostles who are not: “Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is not strange if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.” Satan has servants who profess enough truth to join the church, but teaching “doctrines of demons” (1 Tim. 4:1). Acts 20:30 says they will not spare the flock, drawing many away to destruction. God’s gift of discernment (Phil. 1:9) is critically essential in the preservation of the fellowship.
4. Satan does signs and wonder: “The coming of the lawless one by the activity of Satan will be with all power, and with signs and wonders of the lie” (2 Thess. 2:9). Jesus describes the last days: “False Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect” (Mt. 24:24). There is no hint that these “signs and wonders” will be tricks, done in the name of Jesus, to which He will reply, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness” (Mt. 7:22–23). The problem is not that such aren’t real, but in the service of sin and Satan.
5. Satan tempts people to sin. Unsuccessfully with Jesus in the wilderness (Satan tempted him to abandon the path of suffering and obedience in Mt. 4:1–11) but successful with Judas (Lk. 22:3–6), Paul warns against this for all the believers: “I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ” (2 Cor. 11:3).
6. Satan plucks the word of God out of people’s hearts and chokes faith: “Satan immediately comes and takes away the word which was sown in them” (Mk. 4:15). Satan snatches the word because he hates faith which the word produces (Rm. 10:17). Paul knew that Satan’s design is to choke off the faith of people who have heard the Word of God.
7. Satan causes some sickness and disease. Jesus healed a woman (Lk. 13:16), Satan the one who caused this disease. In Acts 10:38, Jesus, “went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil,” citing Satan often oppresses people with illness. But don’t make the mistake that every sickness is the work of the devil. Some disease is solely attributed to God’s merciful design: “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him” (Jn. 9:3).
8. Satan is a murderer. Jesus said to his assassins: “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 has nothing to do with the truth” (Jn. 8:44). John says, “Do not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother” (1 Jn. 3:12). Jesus told the blameless church at Smyrna, “The devil is about to throw some of you into prison. . . . Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10).
9. Satan fights against the plans of missionaries: “We endeavored the more eagerly, and with great desire, to see you face to face; because we wanted to come to you . . . but Satan hindered us” (1 Thess. 2:17–18). Satan hates evangelism and discipleship, and he will throw up every obstacle he can.
10. Satan accuses Christians before God: “I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, ‘Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.’” (Rev. 12:10). Satan’s defeat is sure, but his accusations haven’t ceased. But we are forgiven and cleansed immediately upon confession! (1 Jn. 1:9). Don’t allow accusations to keep you from God’s service!
Satan Will Not Win
We have read the end of the Bible and…WE WIN. The path to victory in this warfare is to hold fast to Christ who has already dealt the decisive blow: “The Son of God appeared to destroy the works of the devil” (1 Jn. 3:8; see also Heb. 2:14; Col. 2:15; Mark 3:27; Rev. 20:10; Mt. 8:29; 25:41).
Resist!
James says, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you!” (James 4:7). How do we do that? “They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death” (Rev. 12:11). Embraced the triumph of Christ by his blood; speak truth in faith; do not fear death. Be triumphant. Be in prayer (Eph. 6:17–18; Lk. 21:36; 1 Pt. 4:7; Mt. 6:13). Confront the designs of the devil with the focused and determined power of prayer.
No Neutral Zone
Everyone is in this war. Either we are defeated by the devil and thus following, “the prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2), or we are resisting — “resist him, firm in your faith!” (1 Pt. 5:9).
You either triumph “by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony,” or you will be enslaved by Satan. Therefore, “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 2:3), and “wage the good warfare” (1 Tim. 1:18). Pray without ceasing! Come to him as willing soldiers of the Prince of Peace and learn to say, “He trains my hands for war” (Ps. 144:1).