During the past several days, we have reviewed a few critical areas of being armed for battle in the spiritual war. On Day 30, we evaluated the importance of mentoring the next generation of the family of faith. Day 31 cautioned about knowing the difference between good and evil. Day 32 was a reminder to carry each other’s burdens. Day 33 we took a hard look at the idea that God hates evil and has justice and wrath. On Day 34 we considered how trials can be used for our training.

Today, we will consider the schemes of the enemy. The devil’s mission is to kill, steal, and destroy.  We know that he is a liar, and the father of lies. Satan and his minions use powerful seductions and subtle manipulations to deceive and lure the weak-willed into a pit of destruction. We must have a battle strategy to guard against the craftiness of the destroyer. 

Consider the areas in your own life that are weak. Are you naïve, ill-equipped, or untrained?  How has the enemy been successful in wreaking havoc with you? What attacks have wounded you the most? What have you done to fortify yourself against those enemy invasions?  Understanding the devil’s tactics will help solidify your stance against him. 

I’m going to use a few questions about doctrines to highlight some of Satan’s lie manipulations. Consider why believing false doctrines gives the enemy a warfare advantage. 

1) What warfare advantage does Satan achieve by doctrines that promote that there is more than one true God or that Jesus is not the one and only God?

2) What warfare advantage does Satan achieve by doctrines that promote that Satan, demons, and evil spirits are not real? Why would convincing us that the evil resides in our own hearts prove useful to him?

3) What warfare advantage does Satan achieve by doctrines that promote that God is mute or that God is a book? How can convincing us that God is powerless to speak to us be used against us?

Read: Isaiah 14:12-15; 54:16-17; John 8:44-48