Apicontent

Satan has several different tactics that he uses to prevent Christians from fulfilling their God-given destiny. These are some of the tools of his trade.

Satan tries to control your perspective, manipulate your thinking and exploit your foundational desires.

(Jesus praying to the Father)
“I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but that you keep them safe from the evil one.” – John 17:15

(Paul writes)
“So that we may not be exploited by Satan (for we are not ignorant of his schemes).” – 2 Corinthians 2:11

Subtlety can greatly increase the effectiveness of schemes, scams and con games. That’s why Satan usually works behind the scenes where his involvement will be undetected.
Schemes of Satan

• Deception
• Accusation
• Division
•  Doubt
• Distraction
• Temptation
• Difficulties
• Affliction
• Persecution
• Intimidation
• Discouragement

As Christians, we need to be alert and aware of Satan’s tactics. We must depend on the Holy Spirit to help us discern what Satan is trying to do in our current situation as he attempts to defeat us.  How has Satan used these schemes against you in the past? Which of these schemes is Satan using in your current situation?

“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:3

1 John 2:15-17 says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him, because all that is in the world – the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the arrogance produced by material possessions – is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world is passing away with all its desires, but the person who does the will of God remains forever.”

Kosmos is the Greek word that has been translated here as world. It is not referring to planet earth or all of humanity. It is referring to the system of evil that is under Satan’s control.

This passage reveals three different avenues of temptation that Satan uses to tempt us into trying to fulfill legitimate desires in wrong ways.

1. The cravings of sinful man

This is the urge to satisfy the appetites and senses of our physical body. Another way to phrase this idea would be, “sensual pleasures and entertainment.”

Satan whispers, “Do whatever it takes to satisfy your physical senses and the cravings of your body because happiness is waiting for you.” There are many different inappropriate ways that we may attempt to satisfy our physical cravings. It may be as simple as overeating. Or it may involve getting drunk, getting high, or pursuing some sexual escapade through a relationship or on the internet or through pornography.

Our desires and passions can be fueled by the thrill of sensuality. And often times the more we experience, the more we want to experience. Pleasure can become addictive especially if it is used as an escape from feelings of insignificance, insecurity, or rejection.

For example, if you don’t think that you are a significant person then obviously how you spend your time doesn’t matter much. If that’s true then you might as well try to fill up your hours with as much pleasurable activity as possible. Because you’re not really using time to accomplish something, you’re just using up time trying to avoid boredom. Sensual pleasure and entertainment are a way of doing that. However, sensuality is an appetite that cannot be satisfied. There is pleasure that comes from sensuality, but it only lasts for a short time. Once it is over, all you are left with is consequences.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting a pleasurable life, but the pleasures we enjoy must be pleasing to God as well as to us. God wants us to enjoy pleasures, but within his guidelines. Here are some questions to use as you evaluate your pleasure:

• Is this pleasure wholesome … or sinful?
• Am I more devoted to pleasure … or to God?
• Is this pleasure helping … or hindering my devotion to God?

2. The lust of the eyes

This temptation is wanting to acquire everything that we see. Another way to put it is, “the seductiveness of money and possessions.”

How many times have you heard someone say, “You owe it to yourself.” Or, “You deserve it because you are worth it.” Or, “Buy whatever your heart desires, then the happiness things bring will be yours forever.”

How can you argue with that kind of reasoning, and who would even want to?

We live in a very materialistic society. Advertising has become the science of creating dissatisfaction within people and then promising fulfillment through the purchase of a product or experience. We are led to believe that if we buy that product it will help us be accepted, secure, or significant.

You have probably all seen the bumper sticker that reads “He who dies with the most toys wins”. It sounds funny, but it is actually one of Satan’s lies. The writer of Ecclesiastes teaches us, “The one who loves money will never be satisfied with money, he who loves wealth will never be satisfied with his income.” (Ecclesiastes 5:10). It is easy to be fueled by the magnetism of greed—the more we have, the more we want.
Jesus had a great story to tell regarding this very issue. Here is it as recorded in Luke 12:15-21.

“Then he said to them, ‘Watch out and guard yourself from all types of greed, because one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.’ He then told them a parable: ‘The land of a certain rich man produced an abundant crop, so he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to myself, ‘You have plenty of goods stored up for many years; relax, eat, drink, celebrate!’’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded back from you, but who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ So it is with the one who stores up riches for himself, but is not rich toward God.”

The point of this story is not that we shouldn’t have money. There is nothing wrong with having money. It’s just that money can give us a false sense of security. God is the owner of everything and we are to be good stewards of what he has entrusted to our care. When our money leads us away from God instead of drawing us closer to him, that’s when we’re in trouble! First Timothy 6:9-10 warns us, “Those who long to be rich, however, stumble into temptation and a trap and many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils. Some people in reaching for it have strayed from the faith and stabbed themselves with many pains.”

Once again, God wants us to enjoy the good things he has put in our lives—but within his guidelines. Here are some questions to use as you consider your attitudes about money and possessions:

• Is my desire for money and material things stronger than my love and devotion to God?
• Am I content with the material blessings God has given me or am I consumed with getting more?
• Am I putting my hope and trust in my material resources or in God?

3. The boasting of what he has and does

This temptation plays itself out in the seductiveness of fame and power. It is taking credit for things that will increase your self-importance or prestige.

Society tells us that we should “Pursue popularity,” “Impress people with how great you are,” “Climb the social ladder,” “Get in the limelight,” “Make a name for yourself and be somebody,” “Show off your strength, beauty, intelligence, or position,” … “Then you’ll be happy.”

It’s easy to fall prey to this kind of advice because we so desire the acceptance of others and want to be seen as a significant person. We need to remember that the voice of pride speaks to us from our old nature. It insists that we capitalize on every opportunity to exalt ourselves, because this is how we will find happiness.

It is important that we not be fueled by the glory of pride. The more praise and recognition we receive, the more we need and often solicit. Fame and power give us a false sense of significance, security, love, and acceptance by others.

There’s nothing wrong with being famous or powerful. God has created us for greatness, but he wants us to concentrate on using our greatness in his way. Two Timothy 1:7 is a powerful reminder of this truth, “For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

Here are some questions to use as you consider your own importance:

• Am I serving others … or demanding to be served?
• Am I building God’s kingdom … or my own?
• Am I doing everything for the glory of God … or seeking glory for myself?

In Matthew 26:41 Jesus warned His disciples— “Stay awake and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires.” – James 1:13-14

“No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13

“For since he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.” – Hebrews 2:18

Jesus experienced intense temptation but never gave in. Now He wants to help us to also have victory over temptation.We are to withstand temptation when we are tested so we will can grow more spiritually.

“My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.” – James 1:2-4
Temptation isn’t sin—it only arouses our interest in sin by making it look so attractive.

“Therefore consider carefully how you live—not as unwise but as wise” – Ephesians 5:15

Temptation becomes increasingly strong the longer you wait before turning your back on it. It’s like standing on the peak of a mountain as you are tempted to go down one side into the valley of sin. The further you walk in the direction of the sin the more difficult it is to climb back up that slope so you may get to the side of holy living. Usually when a person doesn’t resist the initial temptations, they will continue down the slope until they finally have crossed the line into the valley of sin.
(For example, assume someone is attracted to unwholesome movies. For them the peak of temptation may be when they are choosing to expose themselves to movie ads. Once they see an appealing ad, it may be just a matter of time until they have rationalized seeing the movie.)

➢ What are some things people do to protect themselves from viruses, bacteria and radiation?

➢ Why are people so cautious about these things that are not visible to us in our everyday life?

➢ Do you think most Christians are also at least that cautious and alert about the harm the devil and his demons can inflict upon them and their loved ones?

➢ Why are more Christians not concerned about spiritual warfare even though the Scriptures provide so much warning?

“Finally, be strengthened in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Clothe yourselves with the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” – Ephesians 6:10-11

God wants us to have a “secure” heart—even though Satan wants to do us great harm.  This lesson gives an overview of the spiritual warfare that confronts every Christian.

We live on a spiritual battlefield with an enemy dedicated to our destruction.

Satan attacks us through our flesh which is programmed to desire the pleasures of sin and independence.

“For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For I want to do the good, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but I do the very evil I do not want! Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer me doing it but sin that lives in me.” – Romans 7:18-20

“For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” – Galatians 5:17-18

“We know that our old man was crucified with him so that the body of sin would no longer dominate us, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. (For someone who has died has been freed from sin.) Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that since Christ has been raised from the dead, he is never going to die again; death no longer has mastery over him. For the death he died, he died to sin once for all, but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you too consider yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires, and do not present your members to sin as instruments to be used for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who are alive from the dead and your members to God as instruments to be used for righteousness.” – Romans 6:6-13

“Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:24-25

Satan attacks us through the world system which brainwashes us to accept its false philosophies.

“We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” – 1 John 5:19

(Jesus praying to the Father)

“I have given them your word, and the world has hated them, because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but that you keep them safe from the evil one.” – John 17:14-15

“Be careful not to allow anyone to captivate you through an empty, deceitful philosophy that is according to human traditions and the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” – Colossians 2:8

“Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God—what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.” – Romans 12:2

“You are from God, little children, and have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” – 1 John 4:4

We live in an evil environment. The world system is under the control of Satan. He uses illusions of reality, distorted values and false hope to obtain our allegiance. Peer pressure, fear of rejection and persecution ensure our compliance.

We reside in enemy territory. But Christ, who lives within us, is the truth that exposes the lies and deception. Jesus is the unextinguished light that permeates the darkness. He is the King of the universe. He is far greater than Satan who reigns over this doomed kingdom.

But who do we choose to listen to and consequently follow? As we renew our mind with God’s truth we will be set free from a deceptive world system that wants to keep us in bondage.

Satan attacks us through evil spirits who seek to deceive, afflict and enslave us.

“Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the later times some will desert the faith and occupy themselves with deceiving spirits and demonic teachings” – 1 Timothy 4:1

“Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8

Satan attacks us through our flesh and the world system. He also attacks us more directly through evil spirits whenever he has the opportunity.

Satan has a great hatred for God. But he is powerless against his Almighty Creator. So the only way he can get at God is by hurting God’s people.

So like a ferocious lion, he is constantly looking for ways to do harm to Christians. He uses fear to induce panic into his victims. His demons manipulate the thoughts of those who are ignorant—luring them into the open, out from under God’s protective covering. They use every possible ploy to snare their prey and keep them in bondage. Then, they systematically go about destroying the helpless believer.