Hello friends and family, I want to share on a topic of importance for every believer in Christ. Although we are of the Kingdom of our LORD Christ, we will experience spiritual warfare and attacks from the enemy of our soul.
So, how do we counteract those attacks? The Word of God tells us in:
John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
The Apostle Paul tells us something so profound in 2 Corinthians 2:11, “Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.” This is so profound because Paul is giving us the wisdom that we need in order to overcome the devices of Satan.
This is somewhat of a confirmation of what Jesus, because the Lord told us in John 10:10, “That the thief does not come except to kill, steal and destroy….”
The Apostle Peter also tells us in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
When we put these scriptures together, we see that the enemy has a strategic plan and uses certain devices to hinder and hurt the people of God through sin and spiritual attacks.
This is why the Apostle Paul stated, “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us, we are not ignorant of his devices.”
So, what is a device? Dictionary online literally defines it as: A thing made or adapted for a particular purpose. It is anything that has a specific use.
It might be a tool or object, or a plan that is devised to accomplish something, and if it has a purpose, it is a device.”
So, in other words, the devil has strategic plans, tools, objects that he specifically devises to cause us to sin, and will use them to kill, steal or destroy.
Many of the devices of the enemy are words that begin with the letter “D.”
The Devil uses devices that start with the letter “D” to try and destroy us! Let’s take a look at these devices~!
1. Division – One of the most popular devices that the enemy uses against the believers is divide and conquer.
To be divided is to forget what the Bible says about unity. Jesus said in Mat 12:25, And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.
2. Disappointment – We have all been disappointed by not getting what we want at times. But to the knowledgeable Christian, Man’s disappointments are Gods appointments and must be viewed as such.
To be disappointed is to forget Romans 8: 28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.
3. Discouragement – Discouragement is the second stage. Disappointment leads to discouragement.
(Deu 1:21) Behold, the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee: go up [and] possess [it], as the LORD God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged.
(Deu 1:28) Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people [is] greater and taller than we; the cities [are] great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.
The Lord always wants his people to he encouraged and not discouraged. To be discouraged, is to lose your courage.
4. Despair – Despair is the third stage of disappointment and discouragement. Unless checked, it can destroy your Christian life.
To despair is to forget (2 Cor 4:8) [We are] troubled on every side, yet not distressed; [we are] perplexed, but not in despair. To despair is to forget that God is working in our lives.
5. Doubt – Satan attacked Eve in the Garden of Eden with doubt, by getting her to doubt God’s word.
(Gen 3:1) Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
To doubt is to forget to pray and to forget (1Tim 2:8) which says, “I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”
6. Disbelief – Disbelief is the final form of doubt. (Gen 3:6) And when the woman saw that the tree [was] good for food, and that it [was] pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make [one] wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
To disbelieve is to forget (Heb 3:12) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
7. Distraction – One can be sidetracked from God’s perfect will by family, job or life’s circumstances.
To be distracted is to forget what happened to Peter (Mat 14:22-30) But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
Peter was walking on water looking unto Jesus, until he took his eyes off Jesus, which caused him to be distracted and he began to sink.
8. Double minded – A “doubleminded” man in Greek means to be “double souled”. To be double minded is to forget James 1: 8, James 4: 8
(Jam 1:8) A double minded man [is] unstable in all his ways. (Jam 4:8) Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.
9. Dishonesty – We can be dishonest by: (a. lying or cheating (b. Holding back certain facts (c. Being less than what we should be which is honest and not to cheat people.
It is estimated that millions of dollars are deceived each year by false and dishonest preachers and people who use dishonesty for gain.
To be dishonest is to forget 2 Cor. 4: 2 , But we have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
10. Deception – (Mat 24:3) And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
(Mat 24:4) And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
(Mat 24:5) For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
(2Co 4:2) But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
(2 John 1:7) For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
To be deceived is to forget Jer 17:9. “The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
11. Dullness – Dullness means sleeping to the things of God. The readers of Hebrews suffered dullness. They needed sound Bible teachers to bring them to their senses. Because they were dull, they could not be used by God.
He states why: (Heb 5:11) of whom we have much to say, and hard to be explained since you are dull of hearing.
(Heb 5:12) For indeed because of the time, you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again what are the first principles of the oracles of God. And you have become in need of milk, and not of solid food.
(Heb 5:13) For everyone partaking of milk is unskillful in the Word of Righteousness, for he is an infant.
The dullness was also infecting the church of Corinth. Listen to Paul’s stern admonition to them;
(1Co 3:1) And I, brothers, could not speak to you as to spiritual ones, but as to fleshly, as to babes in Christ.
(1Co 3:2) I have fed you with milk and not with solid food, for you were not yet able to bear it; nor are you able even now.
(1Co 3:3) For you are yet carnal. For in that there is among you envying’s and strife and divisions, are you not carnal, and do you not walk according to men?
To suffer dullness is to forget Hebrews 5:11 (Heb 5:11) Concerning whom we have much discourse, and hard to interpret, or to speak, since you have come to be dull in the hearings.
12. Deadness – Deadness means unchecked dullness. Don’t be dead like the Sardis Church.
(Rev 3:1) And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars says these things. I know your works, that you have a name that you live, and are dead.
(Rev 3:2) Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die. For I have not found your works being fulfilled before God.
(Eph 5:14) Therefore he says, “Awake, sleeping ones! And arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.”
13. Delay – Delay is a slothful tactic used by the enemy to:
(a. Postpone salvation and (b. Postpone service to God.
But according to the Word in (Psa 119:60) King David said, ” I made haste and did not delay to keep Your Commandments.”
14. Defame – How often are Christians guilty of criticizing or belittling other believers. If we have something against a believer, tell him to his face.
To defame someone is to forget (Psa 101:5) Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, I will cut him off; I will not endure him who has high eyes and a proud heart.
15. Discord – Far more Bible believing churches have been split over discord than doctrine.
Some trouble maker begins his or her deadly gossip in a local church, raising questions and doubts in the minds of people, doubts that otherwise would never have been entertained.
How effectively Satan uses this tool, and how painful it will be at the BEMA judgement seat of Christ for the carnal sowers of discord.
To sow discord is to forget Prov : 6:16-19. (Pro 6:16) These six Jehovah hates; yea, seven are hateful to his soul:
(Pro 6:16) There are six things which Jehovah hates; Yea, seven which are an abomination unto him:
(Pro 6:17) Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood;
(Pro 6:18) A heart that devises wicked purposes, Feet that are swift in running to mischief,
(Pro 6:19) A false witness that utters lies, And he that sows discord among brethren.
16. Defilement – Defilement with the things of the world. God insists upon clean vessels.
A believer who defiles himself with the things of this world can never be fully used by God. Regardless of his education, ability, energy, or experience.
To become defiled is to forget 1 Cor 3: 16-17(1Co 3:16) Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
(1Co 3:17) If any man destroys the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, and such are ye.
17. Discontent – One of Satan’s favorite lies is to tell people that things will be better if they go elsewhere: For example, if they: a.) change marriage partners. b.) change churches
Sometimes people complain and because they are discontent in some ways. God says:
(Heb 13:5) Be ye free from the love of money; content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee.
(1Ti 6:6) But godliness with contentment is great gain:
(1Ti 6:7) for we brought nothing into the world, for neither can we carry anything out;
(1Ti 6:8) but having food and covering we shall be therewith content.
(Phi 4:11) Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content.
18. Disobedience – There are two famous men in the Bible named Saul.
a. Both were from the tribe of Benjamin, one is in the Old Testament and the other in the New Testament.
(1 Sam 9:2 and Phil 3: 5).
b. One was tall and impressive, the other short and unimpressive.
c. OT Saul began as Gods friend and ended up as Gods enemy. NT Saul began as Gods enemy and ended up as Gods friend.
d. OT Saul went to the witch of Endor for divination in his hour of death. NT Saul turned to God and the Word of God in his hour of death.
e. What made the difference between these two men. OT Saul was disobedient, NT Saul was obedient.
(1Sa 15:22) And Samuel said, Does Jehovah delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of Jehovah? Behold! Obeying is better than sacrifice; to give attention is better than the fat of rams.
(1Sa 15:23) For the sin of divination is rebellion; insolence is both iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the Word of Jehovah, so He has rejected you from being king.
(Rom 6:16) Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves as slaves for obedience, you are slaves to whom you obey, whether of sin to death, or obedience to righteousness?
(Rom 6:17) But thanks be to God that you were slaves of sin, but you obeyed from the heart the form of doctrine to which you were delivered.
There are many more “D” words which are devices of the devil, which we could add to this list. But the point is, the Devil uses these devices to cause us to sin or disobey God, and his goal is to steal, kill and destroy.
But remember the second part of this verse is, “I have come that they may have life, and life more abundantly! “
Satan wants to get us out of the will of God, and his ultimate goal is to destroy us, but Jesus desires to bless his people with life, and life more abundantly~!
So, what must we do? Well, the Apostle James gives us a word of wisdom in James 4:8, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
The wise thing that we can do to overcome the devices of Satan is to DRAW near to God, and he will DRAW near to us!
In other words, seek the face of God and get closer to God, to hear from God!
We must always draw near to God and put on the full armor of God when we are attacked by Satan according to Ephesians 6:10-18
Because when we draw near to God, he will cover us and protect us!
Psalm 91:1-2 tells us:
Psa 91:1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psa 91:2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
Brothers and Sisters, let us remember the words of scripture to not be ignorant, but to be wise, sober, and vigilant, so that the deceptive devices of the enemy will not destroy us!
Be encouraged and God bless!
Pastor Quinn