How To Avoid 9 Devil Strategies: A Biblical Examination.
The Bible reveals a formidable spiritual adversary: the devil, also known as Satan. His schemes are aimed at opposing God’s work, deceiving humanity, and drawing believers away from their faith. The Apostle Paul warned of these schemes.
Ephesians 6:11 (NLT) “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.”
In this post, we’ll examine 9 key strategies of the devil as presented in the Bible, so we can recognize and resist them.
1. DECEPTION
The devil’s primary weapon is deception. Jesus described Satan as “a liar and the father of lies”.
John 8:44 (NLT) “For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
From the Garden of Eden, where he twisted God’s words to entice Eve.
Genesis 3:1-5 (NLT) “The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied.” “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat.” God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.””
To his attempts to mislead even the elect.
Matthew 24:24 (NLT) “For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones.”
Key Tactic: Twisting or distorting God’s truth to cause confusion, doubt and disbelief.
Defense: Know God’s Word deeply, as Jesus did when He countered Satan’s temptations in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11).
2. TEMPTATION
Satan tempts believers to sin, exploiting our weaknesses and fleshly desires.
James 1:14(NLT) “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.”
He tempted Jesus Himself, trying to derail His mission (Matthew 4:1-11).
Temptation often appears enticing but ultimately leads to spiritual ruin.
Key Tactic: Offering false promises of satisfaction through sin.
Defense: Submit to God and resisting the devil’s enticements.
James 4:7 (NLT) “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
And, rely on the power of the Holy Spirit and be accountable within the body of Christ.
3. ACCUSATION
Satan is called “the accuser of our brethren.”
Revelation 12:10 (NLT) “Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens,It has come at last—salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth—the one who accuses them.”
He seeks to discourage believers by pointing out their past failures and unworthiness. These accusations aim to undermine confidence in God’s forgiveness.
Key Tactic: Reminding believers of their sins to provoke shame and guilt.
Defense: Trust in Christ’s finished work and righteousness.
Romans 8:1(NLT) “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”
1John 1:9 (NLT) “But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”
And, stand firm in God’s forgiveness and justification.
4. DIVISION
Satan fosters division within families, churches, and communities.
Acts 20:29-30 (NLT “I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following.”
In the above verses, Paul warned that false teachers, stirred by Satan, would arise to divide and deceive
Key Tactic: Stirring up strife, gossip, and misunderstanding to destroy unity.
Defense: Walk in love, humility, and the unity of the Spirit.
Ephesians 4:3 (NLT) “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.
And,pursue both peace and reconciliation.
5. PERSECUTION
The devil incites persecution to intimidate believers and silence their witness. Throughout history, he has used persecution to try to crush the church.
1 Peter 5:8-9(NLT) “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.”
Key Tactic: Using fear, intimidation, and violence to discourage faithfulness.
Defense: Remain steadfast in faith and remember that suffering for Christ’s sake is a mark of discipleship.
2 Timothy 3:12 (NLT) “Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”
Revelation 2:10 (NLT) “Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.”
Psalm 34:19 (ESV) “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”
6. FALSE DOCTRINE AND SPIRITUAL COUNTERFEITS
Satan promotes false teachings and counterfeit spiritual experiences to lead people astray.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (NLT) “These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.”
False prophets and doctrines deny the truth of Christ and distort the gospel.
Key Tactic: Mixing truth with error to create subtle, persuasive false teachings.
Defense: Test all teachings against Scripture.
Acts 17:11 (NLT) “And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.”
And, hold to the faith once delivered to the saints.
Jude 1:3 (NLT) “Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people.”
7. DISTRACTION
LUKE 8:14 (NLT) “The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity.”
Worldly cares, entertainment, and materialism choke out spiritual growth, keeping believers from prayer and Scripture.
8. FALSE SIGNS & MIRACLES
2 THESSALONIANS 2:9-10 (NLT) “This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them.”
Miracles alone are not proof of truth—Satan empowers false prophets to deceive even the elect.
9. DESPAIR & HOPELESSNESS
1 PETER 5:8 (NLT) “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”
By magnifying struggles, Satan tries to make believers doubt God’s goodness and abandon their faith.
Don’t doubt God’s Word – If He said it, He will do it!
HOW TO OBTAIN VICTORY OVER THE DEVIL’S STRATEGIES
Put on the Whole Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18)
Humble Yourself And Resist The Devil (James 4:7)
Stay Rooted in Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Pray Without Ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Use Spiritual Weapons For Battle (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
Submit To God And Resist The Devil (James 4:7)
Stay Alert Against The Devil’s Attacks (1 Peter 5:8-9)
Overcome The Accuser By The Blood Of The Lamb (Revelation 12:9-11)
The devil is already defeated.
Colossians 2:15 (NLT) “In this way, He disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by His victory over them on the cross.”
But, until Christ returns, we must remain vigilant against his schemes. Stay strong in the Lord, for greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
1 John 4:4 (NLT) “But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.”
CONCLUSION
The Bible clearly outlines the devil’s strategies—deception, temptation, accusation, division, persecution, false doctrine and spiritual counterfeits, distraction, false signs and wonders, and despair and hopelessness. Yet it also assures believers of ultimate victory through Christ. By relying on God’s Word, prayer, and the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians can stand firm against the devil’s schemes and live as over-comers in the battle of faith.
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