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In order to be successful in battle, it is imperative that one knows his enemy. He must know the way the enemy thinks and acts. The more one understands the maneuvers of his foe the better equipped he will be to counter them. The adversary of every child of God is Satan. The Bible speaks of his wiles or schemes (Eph. 6:11). He sets snares or traps for men (1 Tim. 3:6). He hurls fiery darts with great fury and consistency (Eph. 6:16). He hasn’t written a book but the Lord, in His Book, has detailed his strategies. Therefore, we have no reason to be ignorant of His devices. As one reads through the Scriptures we learn the following about the Devil.
He tempts. After our Lord was baptized to fulfill all righteousness (Matt. 3:15), the Bible says, “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Matt. 4:1). Two verses later he is referred to as “the Tempter” (4:3). The Devil, through the lust of the flesh, the eyes and the pride of life, seeks to convince us that sinning is the better choice (1 John 2:15). We must know how he works and refuse to give in (cf. James 1:12-15). He destroys. Jesus, in describing the devil, said, “He was a murderer from the beginning” (John 8:44). In tempting the first pair he was able to bring sin and death into the world (John 8:44). Therefore, we must understand that he only wants to divide men from God, destroy their hope of heaven, and devour their souls (1 Pet. 5:8).
He lies. In the same context just mentioned, Jesus went on to say that Satan “is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44). Satan seeks to make truth seem as if it were error, right as if it were wrong and good as if it were bad (cf. Isaiah 5:20). He parades himself as an “angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14). We must be careful putting everything to the test (1 Thess. 5:21).
He loses. Satan is spoken of as a “strong man” (11:21). He is a formidable foe. Yet, the Bible teaches that Jesus has defeated Him. “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). Everlasting fire is his final destination (Matt. 25:41). However, through Jesus, those who fight the good fight will receive the crown of life, triumph and victory (1 Cor. 15:57; 2 Cor. 2:14; 2 Tim. 4:8).
Do you know the enemy? Let’s diligently study the Book lest we be ignorant of his devices (2 Cor. 2:11).
Bill Burk
Crandall church of Christ
Crandall, TX