Satan's Devices

“For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”

(2 Cor. 2:9-11)

In the text, Paul alludes to the fact that Satan uses not just one, but multiple devices in his attacks against us. The work of Satan against the people of God is fact, not fiction. Technology, nor financial and numerical growth can advance the church beyond the scope of spiritual opposition. The most intense battles being fought today are not with bombs and bullets… country against country... or nation against nation. It is the kingdom of darkness against the Kingdom of God. The outcome of this spiritual warfare is of eternal significance. Consider with me at least three of Satan’s devices:

1. Distraction. In Matthew 14:30, Peter became distracted by the winds and the waves, took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink. The storms of life can distract us from the only one who has authority over storms. Family storms, financial storms, church storms, health storms… storms will come. It is not the fierceness of the storm but, the focus of our attention that determines the outcome.

2. Distortion. In Numbers, the spies that returned from the Promised Land came back with a distorted perception of what they had seen. They said, “we were like grasshoppers in our own sight”. Satan delights in distorting truth; the possible, then perceived to be impossible; wrong viewed as right and good viewed as bad. Many professing Christians live with distorted values and misdirected morals.

3. Discouragement. Distraction and Distortion easily leads to Discouragement. In 1 Kings 19, Elijah got his eyes off God, his circumstances became distorted and faith gave way to fear. In a pit of discouragement, the man of God wanted out and asked God to take his life.

Overcoming these satanic devices requires a resolve that comes from intense prayer and prolonged time in God’s Word. Perhaps you are experiencing distraction, distortion or discouragement right now. Paul said that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal... but, mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds! The Name of Jesus spoken in faith immediately begins to drive back the enemy. Rebuking Satan is not an outdated traditional practice… it still works!.

“When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him”

(Isaiah 59:19)

For The Harvest,

Bob Wilburn