Do you know the most common strategies Satan will use against you? The enemy Satan has many names.
In the book of Genesis, he was called a cunning serpent (Genesis 3: 1-5), and Paul called him a lion ready to destroy and devour his prey (1 Peter 5: 9).
In Revelation, John describes the enemy as a dragon. (John 20: 2) When he met Jesus in the wilderness, he was called a tempter (Matthew 4: 1-11).
The prophet Zechariah referred to him as our accuser. He has no home, he is just roaming about the earth. (Job 1: 6). Other deadly descriptions include murderers, thieves, and crooks.
Satan will try everything possible to separate you from your maker. He has no other goal. However, the good news is that nothing can separate you from God’s love.
Satan’s strategies against you are to undermine your faith using tactics that are sometimes difficult to understand. But, you must guide your minds from Satan’s schemes at all times. Don’t be ignorant of the devil’s devices (2 Corinthians 2:11).
Look at Eve in the Garden of Eden. Satan got her into trouble by suggesting that she might have misunderstood God. “Did God really say,” You shall not eat of any tree in the garden?” He suggested (Genesis 3: 1).
He distorted the truths enough to make Eve doubt what she knew.
Therefore, it is essential to understand Satan’s schemes because he will always try to use the same strategy on you. You can keep the devil away by understanding his strategies.
Here are ten common strategies Satan will use against you.
Deception.
Deception means to accept as valid or true something that is invalid or false. It is not entirely a lie, neither is it the truth.
Like Eve, Satan will use scripture against you that will make you believe that God is not good. He will make you doubt your faith in God’s word and His Son (Jesus Christ).
Sometimes, he whispers things like “If God loves you, then why are you suffering?” Or: “Does God really say …?” Or “Does God even exist?” into your ear.
The enemy uses deception to confuse the truth and make you give up your vigilance. God’s word is the only truth and the best way to defend against his deception.
Stand firm “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians, 6:17).
Attack your faith.
Most often, when you are going through trials, Satan’s strategies against you is to make you doubt your faith in God. Don’t be ignorant of the devil’s devices.
Out of fear, Peter denied Jesus three times. When Jobs lost his family and all his property, and his friends laughed and mocked him, his faith was put to the test.
However, In Ephesians 6, Apostle Paul admonished us to be strong. With the help of the Holy Spirit, you can firmly protect yourself with God’s armor.
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:13).
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Self- Reliance is one of the strategies Satan will use against you.
One of Satan’s most effective strategies is to help you idolize yourself.
Successes and accomplishments can make you feel like Nebuchadnezzar as he looked out over his vast kingdom. “Is not this the great Babylon I have built…?” He was amazed (Daniel 4:30). With these words, the king became a pauper.
Everything you own and know depends on God, not on your strength.
Therefore, your praise and worship should focus on the one who gives and who takes away (Job 1:21)… “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.” (Psalm 145: 3).
Also Related: Why We Struggle To Trust God? Top 11 Reasons.
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Isolation.
Satan is always excited when you are alone. Each of us is an important part of a believer’s body. Anyone that is separated from the body becomes vulnerable.
God doesn’t want us to be alone. We need each other to fight Satan’s schemes. The disciples were sent in pairs to preach the gospel, not alone (Mark 6: 6-7).
“Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
Your deterrence from isolation occurs with a body of believers. In Hebrews 10:25, the scripture says: “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Shame.
Regret means you have done something wrong, while shame means something is wrong with you. Regret and grief make you repent (1 Corinthians 7:10), but shame makes you fall into isolation and hatred.
When you sin, Satan whispers in your ears and says that something is wrong with you. You can either cover yourself with shame or ask God to forgive you.
The truth is, as a believer, Jesus took away your shame and gave you forgiveness. The Bible assures us: “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” (Romans 10:11).
Busyness.
Many times, we are so carried away by many activities. Football games, housework, volunteering, and ministry responsibility are just a few examples.
Each of these pursuits is not bad, but it’s one of Satan’s schemes to distract you from having quality time with God. “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:17).
Instead of going directly to work each day, spend quality time with God when you wake up in the morning. When you do, you have invited him to take over your affairs throughout the day. Remember, when God is in charge, Satan’s strategies against you will be of no effect.
Comparison.
Technology and social media have made this one of the most common strategies that Satan will use against you. When you begin to compare your own lives with others’ lives; one of two things happens.
You will have low self-esteem, which leads to insecurity and jealousy, or feels superior, which leads to arrogance and pride. In any case, it is Satan’s strategies against you. “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” (James 3:16).
On the contrary, God created everyone uniquely for a purpose. “Because we are God’s work, created in Christ Jesus to do good things, and God prepared us in advance” (Ephesians 2:10). You must be satisfied with all that God has given you and do what He has prepared.
Distraction.
Satan likes to keep us busy with spending time and resources on worldly things. These Satan tactics are similar to being busy and you can easily spot it. Distractions are things that take your attention away from God and can become idols.
For example, watching TV distracts your attention from quiet time or prayer.
Please note, a hobby that requires you to invest time and financial resources are not wrong, but when it diminishes your ability to devote yourself to God, it is a distraction and becomes worldly pursuit.
Instead, turn your attention to “whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report (Philippians 4: 8).
Also Related: 13 Things That Will Build Your Faith And Confidence In God.
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Temptation.
If Satan dares to try Jesus in the desert, you should be wary of the same tactics.
Don’t be ignorant of the devil’s devices. The temptation is the individual pursuits that begin with a thought or desire. Gradually, it develops into a pursuit that is against the will of God.
For example, marriage is God’s will, but adultery is a desire outside of God’s plan. The scripture admonished us to guard our hearts and minds. “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.
The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:38). Pay attention to your thoughts as this can become a temptation.
Greed and Jealousy.
Money and possessions create many problems for believers. The world says we need more than we have, but the Bible tells us that God will meet our needs. (Philippians 4:19)
We are not without warnings about the dangers of greed. More than 2,000 Bible verses talk about money and possessions. How you spend money determines your heart worship.
Jesus warned: “And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15).
So, you need to be satisfied with the blessings you have received and share them with those in need. Let your treasure be in heaven.
Conclusion
Now you will be able to identify the most common strategies Satan will use against you. Satan may use many strategies to derail you, but he will not defeat God’s plan.
God will defeat the enemy, and eventually, through Jesus, Satan’s strategies against you will be an effort in futility. We have won (Revelation 19: 19-21).
