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“Not Ignorant of His Designs"
“Not Ignorant of His Designs"
Perhaps you have known people, as I have, who think someone is out to get them. Having imaginary enemies is a sad state of mind indeed.
But are we paranoid to think Satan is out to get us? No, it’s a fact. Satan has been on the rampage since Eden.
Writing to Christians facing persecution, Peter warns, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
“. . . so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs” (2 Cor. 2:11). Here we learn: 1) Satan is plotting against us, 2) Satan aims to outwit us, and 3) ignorance of his devices leaves us vulnerable.
Since the Bible is our only accurate source of information about Satan, knowing what the Scriptures say about Satan is the key to avoid being ignorant of his schemes.
►HOW HE WORKS
In tempting us he baits the hook with whatever appeals to our baser nature (Gen. 3). If we’re wise we won’t fall for it.
Satan tries to prevent anyone he can from obeying the gospel (Luke 8:12; 2 Cor. 4:4; Acts 13:6-10). He does not want anyone to be saved.
Satan uses hardships, if he can, to turn sufferers against God (Job 1-2).
Satan uses deception. “. . . he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).
He tries to convince us it is to our advantage to sin, but he also uses “all power and false signs and wonders” (2 Thess. 2:9-12), false teachers (2 Cor. 11:2-4, 13-15), and twisted Scriptures (Matt. 4:5-7; 2 Peter 3:15-17).
No wonder there are so many false teachings floating around today! When error is preached, Satan rejoices!
►HOW TO DEFEAT HIM
“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
Resisting Satan involves:
1) strengthening our faith in view of persecution (1 Thess. 3:1-10; 1 Peter 5:8-9)
2) countering temptation with Scripture, as Jesus did (Matt. 4:1-11)
3) looking for the way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13)
4) learning from the positive example of Joseph (Gen. 39) and the negative example of David (2 Sam. 11)
5) using all the armor God provides to defeat him (Eph. 6:10-17)
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you” (Rom. 16:20).
--David Gibson
