There are two sections to Part 2.
Recognize Satan's Tactics.
Whenever the Devil finds a Christian who is appropriating his wealth and practicing his walk, he will attack that believer. How does he do it? We learn much about Satan's tactics by examining the different pieces of the Christian's armor. God has designed each part of the armor to protect us from the Enemy's many methods of warfare. Recognizing Satan's tactics and using the appropriate pieces of armor will enable us to successfully defend ourselves in battle.
The first tactic that Satan successfully uses against us is division. He knows that if he can divide our loyalties so that we are not concentrating on the battle, then he can defeat us. Satan's greatest weapon is duplicity. That's why Jesus warned us so strongly against leading a double life. He stated,
"No man can serve two masters. ... Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Matt. 6:24). We cannot be looking two directions at the same time; looking at God and at the world. Likewise, we cannot have our hearts and minds in heaven and on earth at the same time, for "a double minded man is unstable in all his ways" (James 1:8).
What is our weapon against Satan's divisiveness?
It is the girdle of truth (see Eph. 6:14). The girdle of truth speaks of integrity of a soldier who is completely devoted to winning the battle. "The finest armor is wasted on the soldier who has no will to fight," (Stated by Geoffrey Wilson) If we do not have the integrity to see the battle to its completion, then the rest of our armor will do us no good. Our whole life must be pulled together by truth.
Satan is not only the divider, but he is also the denouncer and accuser. He loves to stand before the throne of God and accuse His children. He also works in our consciences, constantly reminding us of our past mistakes and sins. We need the breastplate of righteousness to ward off these accusations (read Eph. 6:14). If we do not remember that we have been justified and made righteous in Christ, we will not have an answer to Satan's accusations. We will begin to dwell on our past mistakes instead of living for Christ today, and Satan will have defeated us.
When Satan attempts to divide our loyalties, we have the girdle of truth to protect us. In addition, the breastplate of righteousness enables us to defend ourselves against his accusations. The third piece of armor is the shoes of peace: "Having... your feet Shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace" (Eph. 6:14, 15). If we are going to stand, we must have the right shoes. Interestingly enough, these are shoes of peace. Can you imagine a soldier wearing shoes of peace? However, Satan is the destroyer.
He wants to move in and bring war. As Christian soldiers, we are not armored for battle against good or good people. We are armored for battle against Satan and evil. And the only way to combat evil is by doing good. Likewise, the only antidote for war is peace. Because we are standing in peace and resting in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Satan cannot destroy us.
Not only does Satan try to divide, denounce and destroy us, but he also uses doubt as a means of defeating us. He loves to throw the fiery darts of doubt at us.
What can we do when we are being attacked by doubts? We need to use the shield of faith to ward off these darts: "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked" (Eph. 6:16). Martin Luther used to say, "I cannot stop the birds from flying around my head, but I can stop them from making a nest in my hair." While we can't stop these fiery darts of doubt from being thrown at us, we can protect ourselves with the shield of faith. Faith in what? Faith in the Word of God and in the God of the Word. The Lord said to Abraham, "Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield"
(Gen. 15:1). When we have faith in the power of God, He will shield us from Satan's attacks and give us victory.
Besides throwing doubts at us, Satan likes to discourage us. He is the great discourager. He assails us with setbacks and frustrations until we are ready to quit. Satan knows that when a soldier loses hope, he has lost the battle.
What can we do to fight this feeling of discouragement and hopelessness? We need to take the helmet of salvation (see Eph. 6:17). The word "sal-vation" means "victory." God is handing us His helmet of salvation. All we need to do is receive it.
In I Thessalonians 5:8, this is called the hope of salva-tion. When we have experienced God's salvation, we have hope to keep us going in the midst of discouragement. We know that our Conqueror is coming and that one day He will deliver us. Thus, the saints of God cannot be discouraged as long as they are thinking about the blessed hope of Jesus Christ's return.
Denial is another of Satan's tactics that he successfully uses against the Christian. He denies the faith. He denies the resurrection. He denies everything the Word of God teaches us. How can we combat Satan's denials? By using the sword of the Spirit; the Word of God (see Eph. 6:17). When Jesus was tempted by the Devil in the wilderness, He used this sword. In each of the three temptations, Jesus responded with the words,
"It is written" (see Matt. 4:4,7,10). He quoted passages from the Book of Deuteronomy, and Satan was defenseless against this weapon. The Bible tells us that "The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword." (Heb. 4:12). When Satan tries to cause us to deny our faith, we need to take the sword of the Spirit and answer his denials with God's affirmations -"It is written."
Depend on God's Energy.
Satan is using every evil tactic he can think of to defeat us. This is why we need the whole armor of God. But it is not enough just to know the Enemy and to use the equipment the Lord has given us. We must also depend on the energy that God provides.
Ephesians 6:18 tells us, "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."
Why should we pray for all of the saints? Because we are all in the same battle. Are you praying for all of the saints? Or do you just pray for those in your family, in your church or in your denomination? Do we dare pray for the saints of God in other groups? I think we should. In fact, we are commanded to.
Why? They are fighting the same battle we are, and if they fall, it affects us. Thus, as God's people, we must never rejoice when a fellow soldier falls. Because if a fellow soldier falls, the Devil has just gained one more foothold. We gain renewed energy and strength for the battle through prayer.
That's why we are told to "pray without ceasing." (I Thess. 5:17). When we pray, we should not only make requests of God, but also we should spend time in thanksgiving and praise to Him and in making supplications for others.
It is also vital that we are attentive at all times,
(Matt. 26:41). The Devil is prowling about like a roaring-lion, waiting to devour us (read I Pet. 5:8). We need to pray with all perseverance and supplication so that we do not fall into his trap (see Eph. 6:18).
The secret to prayer is perseverance. We must always pray and not faint (see Luke 18:1).
Prayer is the means by which we receive God's unlimited source of energy. Why do we need this energy?
Because we are living in the evil day:
"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (Eph. 6:13). Why is the day evil? Because Satan is the god of this age.God is still on the throne, but He is permitting Satan to do his work. However, in the end, God is going to be the victor.
Why must we be strong in the Lord? Because the Enemy is strong. Because the day is evil. Because the outcome is serious. We are fighting a battle.
However, too many people today are trying to live on substitutes rather than depending on God's strength and resources. We must be strong because the outcome is serious for God. Is He going to receive the glory? The outcome is serious for us.
Are we going to be victors or victims? And the outcome is serious for others. Are we going to be stumbling blocks or stepping-stones for them? Why must we be strong? Because Jesus paid dearly for our victory. Put on the armor He has bought for you, and claim the victory in Him. Use the amor He has given you.
I hope you are enjoying reading these devotionals. I will continue releasing more parts to this devotional theme. Please continue reading this series.
I pray these devotionals will help you become a stronger Christian.
I would love for you to comment on or share this devotion.
All verses are KJV.
See past posts to find previous parts and sections.
Until Next Time………
Sincerely,
Nataly Russell
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