The Strategies of satan

Biblical Deliverance Ministries

Study 10

To look at this area we should realise what satan's prime target is.

    This target is without a doubt our mind! He may try any avenue but his ultimate goal is the mind. This is the part of us that has control over the rest of us, both the body and the spirit. This is the thinking bit, the decision making bit. It is the bit that governs our actions and our thoughts, so naturally satan wants control, so he can govern the whole person. He will no doubt try to influence the other parts of us to get a foothold but ultimately he is after our mind.

    Our mind reaches into the past with our memory and into the future by affecting our feelings and will. Our mind is part of our soul which also includes our emotions, senses and feelings and of course our will. It is the part of us which makes decisions. So lets look at some Biblical instances where these things are mentioned.

He tries to deceive

    To start with Matthew ch8 v44 tells us that satan is a murderer and a liar in fact he is called here the father of lies.

    11 Corinthians ch11 v3 tells us that satan is a deceiver and he will seek to lead us astray from our devotion to Christ.

    There are many other references we could use but it would simply confirm the fact that satan has but one target and that is our mind. The statement has been made that whoever controls the mind controls the body. Think about it!!!!!!! Note Isaiah ch26 v3 and Romans ch8 v5-8.

     We have a defence of course in God’s Word

    Jesus used the Word to fight off satan, Luke ch4 v1-13 and of course in the armour of God, the Sword is the Spirit of God and the Word of God. One of satan’s weapons is lies or even the suggestion of a lie as we shall see.

    In Genesis ch3 v1 the serpent asked Eve "Has God said?" Sort of laying a seed of doubt, suggesting that we might have a right to decide wether we should obey God or not. And again implying that God’s love for us could be could be in question. He tried the same idea on the Lord Himself in Luke ch4 v3.

    In v4 he suggested that God ‘s word could be wrong. "You will not surely die. Adam and Eve had not seen death but only had God’s word that death was possible. If Adam and Eve had not listened to satan, they would not have sinned.

    Satan now offers his own lie and appeals to pride v5 "you will be like Gods" Just as he always has done and does today. By building ourselves up both in importance and self esteem we are attempting to win in our own strength rather than God’s We should have God esteem and regard ourselves as nothing.

    Adam and Eve made three mistakes which led to their sin.

    They omitted from God’s word. Compare Gen. ch2 v16 and ch3 v2 When you start to doubt God’s love, you will find it so much easier to sin.

    They added to God’s word. Compare Gen. ch2 v17 and ch3 v3. By making God’s expectations seem harder it makes satan’s offer seem more attractive.

    They changed God’s word. Compare Gen. ch2 v17 and ch3 v3 Once you have treated God’s word with this sort of contempt we open ourselves up to all sorts of alternative ideas. They separated the tree away from the instruction and let the physical attraction of the fruit take precedence.

   God accomplishes his will by truth. Satan accomplishes his by lies John ch16 v13 tells us that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth. John ch8 v44 tells us that satan is a liar and the father of lies. Be careful, 11Corinthians ch11 v26 tells us that he is a counterfeit and an imitator. Remember that there are false christians Matthew ch13 v38, false gospel Galatians ch1 v8, false ministers 11Corinthians ch11 v14-15, false righteousness Romans ch10 v3, false church Revelations ch2 v8, false doctrines 1Timothy ch4 v1, false christ (antichrist) 11Thessalonians ch2 v8-10 and Revelations ch13 v8

He wants to destroy

    Read 1 Peter ch5 v8, Revelation ch9 v11, Job ch2 v6, Matthew ch12 v22, Luke ch22 v31

    In this section we see how satan targets the body. Think about Job.

    He lost his children. ( the fruit of his body)

    He lost his flocks and herds and wealth. (the means of sustenance for his body)

    He lost good health. (his body contracted a loathsome disease)

    Satan also attacked people in the new testament. Note the dumb man in Matthew ch9 v32-33. The disabled woman in Luke ch13 v11-17. The suicidal child in Matthew ch17 v14-18. There is no doubt that satan will attack our body.

    When satan attacks our bodies he is attacking the vessel which God uses to demonstrate His love and compassion to the world around us. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Read 1 Corinthians ch6 v19-20 Philippians ch1 v20 Mathew ch5 v16 1 Peter ch2 v9

    Think of all the building of the Noah’s Ark, The building of the tabernacle. The preaching of the scriptures by the disciples. God uses the members of our bodies as He chooses, empowered by the Holy Spirit for the expansion of his kingdom here on earth. We become his tools. Remember that to frustrate the work of Gods people, satan will often attack our bodies.

   Thank God that through the power of God, the authority of Jesus Christ and the leading of the Holy Spirit we can send satan and all his underlings packing and so release our bodies and minds from his attacks

    An athlete when he breaks the rules forfeits his reward not his citizenship!!!!! Remember God has given us our rule book to enable us to win using our bodies wisely. We can allow satan to destroy the work of our bodies by enticing us to break the rules and giving him legal right to that part of our body.

    Job was inflicted with suffering by satan in several ways. The favour of his wife, the horrible disease, the taking away of his children, his wealth, his friends, his neighbours. Job was in despair, he looked around and saw hopelessness, he looked inside and saw pain he looked up and thought he was forsaken. But God is always in control of the circumstances of our lives. Luke ch22 v31-32. God does not control our response to suffering. We are responsible for our response. remember God has given us a free will to make those decisions

    Their is a natural suffering which goes on, as our bodies get older all the time Romans ch8 v18-23 but sometimes he allows us to suffer to discipline us. Hebrews ch12 v5-6 "Not to persecute us but to perfect us" Psalm 32. Jonah endured a storm because of his disobedience and was corrected. The disciples in Matthew ch14 v22-33 endured a storm when they were obedient. They were being tested to perfect their faith. Job suffered so that satan could be silenced. Job was just the servant. The real battle was in the heavenly places. Ephesians ch6 v12

    Remember that there is no battle between God and satan only between the angels of God and satan and his angels. Satan was simply spat out of heaven. Gods power and majesty and holiness are so great that no sinful being can stand in His presence Luke ch10 v18. It is only through the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ that we have that blessed privilege of coming into His presence.

    Often enough satan will use impatience to tempt us to turn away from God. James ch5 v11 Job was impatience with himself and his friends but never lost faith in God. Patience is part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit and has a major influence in gaining deeper truths in christian life and more fruitfulness James ch1 v2-4 Impatience is a mark of immaturity - a mark of unbelief. - a mark of fleshly living. Isaiah v28 v16 Galatians ch5 v22-23 Hebrews ch4 v12

    Abraham became impatient and married Hagar. The son born was only trouble.

    Saul rushed ahead and offered sacrifices ahead of Samuel and his kingdom ended.

    Peter rushed in and cut off the priest’s ear. Jesus had to step in and heal the man to save Peter’s life.

    Today many people can’t wait until after marriage to have sexual relations, conceiving children, and invoking the curse of Deuteronomy ch23 v2. Thank God for the cross of Jesus Christ.

    It is important to remember that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ exercised through us is a major factor in the battle against satan, leaving little room for any attack.

    I guess the imparted grace of God being demonstrated in our lives is the best defence. We are told of the riches of His grace in Ephesians ch2 v7. Grace for serving in 1 Corinthians ch15 v9. Grace for sacrificing in 2 Corinthians ch8 v1-9. Grace for singing in Colossians ch3 v16. Grace for speaking in Colossians ch4 v6. Also grace for suffering as Job and Paul received.

    Suggested steps to take when satan attacks us through suffering and attempts to make us impatient with God’s will.

    1 Submit ourselves to God. If we rebel we simply open another doorway for satan to in our lives. See Job ch13 v15. and James ch4 v7.

    2 Thank God for the suffering (that’s hard). Ephesians ch5 v20. 1 Thessalonians ch5 v18. Acts ch16 v14

    3 Study the word. Acts ch20 v32, Psalm 119 v67 @ v71 Romans ch15 v4

    4 Glorify God in every way we can. 1 Peter ch4 v16. 1 Peter ch2 v20.

    Paul and Silas when in prison, Stephen while being stoned

    Remember to Praise God in all circumstances, no matter what they are and confidently look forward to his salvation.

He wants to rule.

Another of satan’s target’s is our will

    A lot of people have a form of religion, going to church, fulfilling church duties, perhaps even being in church leadership, but the life never changes. Others have a religion that is based on emotions and when their emotions are down they feel that God has forsaken them. God wants our whole mind. Our will, our emotions, a contrite heart. We should make a specific decision to be obedient as a love response from a grateful heart for what our Lord and Saviour has done for us at Calvary.

    Our will helps determine our character. The decisions we make will chart the directions of our life so naturally satan wants to take charge of that will and so control the decisions we make and the direction of our lives. In Isaiah ch14 v12-14 satan says five times "I will". This is just what he wants us to do as well. To make our own plans!! To set our own goals!! To try to take charge!! To try to take control!! It is easy to see the close similarity between taking control and witchcraft where spells and other methods are used to affect and control other peoples’ lives. Consider Philippians ch2 and the total example of humility our Lord set before us. When you consider that we are only here in this world as servants of the most high God in satan’s territory, we are targets for satan to try influence us to come under his will instead of God’s.

    Satan used the victories of war to inflate David’s ego and to entice him to rebel against God. The sin of the flesh with Bathsheba was serious and hurt some people but the sin of pride when he counted Israel was far more serious killing 70.000 people. Today we have this great danger within our churches. If satan gets a pastor proud of his preaching or counselling, perhaps a Sunday school teacher proud of his Sunday school, perhaps a church leader proud of the increase of numbers in the church, begins to take control to the restriction of any body else’s ideas, or an operator proud of the number of hits the website is getting. Yes we are all vulnerable and we need to be so careful to give all the Glory to God and be a true christian. CHRIST I Am Nothing

    Man is a dependant creature. Acts ch17 v28 The essence of sin is to try to be independent from God. It is to take control of our own lives. To try to take God’s place in our own life and those of others. Satan’s lie remember was "you will be as Gods". If we behave and think independently of God’s instruction then satan has a loophole to take over your mind and will. Then we are acting according to the ruler of this world. 2 Chronicles ch26 v15-16 Deuteronomy ch6 v10-12 2 Corinthians ch12 v10 1 John ch2 v15-17

    Pride is such a strong weapon used against us that only a power much stronger than us can give us victory. That power is from the Holy Spirit. In Philippians ch2 v12-13 we are told to work out our own salvation. It does not mean that we ought to work for our salvation, that is an impossible task. Salvation is a free gift and is wholly credited to the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. To work out means to accomplish and complete what God has planned for us.

    We must acknowledge that God gave us salvation as a free gift Hebrews ch10 v12. John ch17 v4. John ch19 v30 Salvation is just the beginning and it is permanent, but it must be followed by spiritual growth and development 11Peter Ch3 v18 Then there is a word called service. This word today has all sorts of connotations, but when associated with the one and only Holy God, it is nothing more or less than a privilege to be used. When we consider this, and the magnitude of our shepherd it is important that we ensure that we don’t run ahead and don’t lag behind but allow the Lord to take us by the hand and walk side by side with Him. He has a perfect plan for our lives and some very special works that He wants us to fulfil for His glory. After we have given our Lord our bodies and our minds we must also give Him our wills and our time. To be able to do this we need to spend lots of time in prayer and the Word. One without the other is unbalanced Romans ch10 v2. If we surrender ourselves totally in prayer and have the knowledge gained through the study of God’s Word, the spirit of God will then be able to work in us and give us victory. When God’s Spirit works in us He produces humility, not pride. Humility is simply not thinking of oneself at all Romans ch12 v3 When Moses was called to go to Egypt and deliver Israel, he complained, argued and protested that he was slow of speech and could not do the job. Was this humility? No!! It was false humility, the worst pride. A truly humble person knows himself, accepts himself, yields himself to God and seeks to better himself to be able to serve God better. A truly humble man realises that all he has comes from God and must be given back to God

He wants to accuse

    If we look at the vision in Zechariah ch3 v1-7 we see the setting of a court room. God is the judge, Joshua is the defendant and satan is the prosecutor (accuser). We are told that the dirty clothes were a symbol of sin, not only his own, but as he represented the nation of Israel it was also the sin of the nation as well. Here satan was not only accusing Joshua and the people of Israel of sin but he was accusing God Himself of not dealing with it. This incident shows up how satan really is. He will tempt us to sin then accuse us of sin before God. What a wonderful thing it is to know that when we confess our sin before God He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin. Christ died for us on Calvary’s cross and now satan cannot accuse God of not dealing with the sin in our lives.

    In Revelation ch12 v10 we are told that satan is the accuser of the brethren. When he talks to us about God he lies but when he talks to God about us he has to tell the truth. Unfortunately sometimes the truth is not very nice. God has to allow satan his legal right, that is, his right to hassle us. Often he will accuse us of our sin and cause us serious depression. We need to be able to identify the difference between the tauntings of satan and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. In both cases the answer is, to confess our sin before God, ask His forgiveness and repent. When the Spirit of God wants to convict us He uses the word of God in love and seeks to bring us back into fellowship with God and other believers. Satan taunts us, accuses us ridicules us taunts us and even suggests that we are not a christian anymore, that we are beyond redemption. God forbid!!! Often enough we may need help to be delivered from these attacks of satan. It is important that we acknowledge the forgivness of God, the great privilege we have to be a warrior for Him, to get in there and serve Him, showing others the release we have and giving God the glory.

    When we talk of satan standing before God accusing us let us not forget that Jesus Christ is also standing there interceding for us. The Lord has finished His work on earth to return to His unfinished work in heaven, that of perfecting and preparing His children for glory Hebrews ch13 v20-21 Our High Priest Jesus interceding for us, providing the grace that we need when we are tested and tempted. 1Corinthians ch10 v13 if by faith we turn to Him and come in prayer and repenting. He is also our advocate 1John ch2 v1 to forgive us our sins and restore to fellowship with Him at once 1John ch1 v9 As our advocate and redeemer He has taken the punishment for our sins. The wounds are evidence of His death for us. He can show them to satan over and over again. It is because of the heavenly intercession of Jesus Christ, the Son of God that you can defeat the accusations of satan. Again God ordered the angel to bring fresh clean garments for the high priest Joshua. He wasn’t put on probation he was sent back to the temple to carry on.

Any unconfessed sin will give satan a stronghold to work from.

11Corinthians ch2 v10-11 Proverbs ch28 v13.