The Schemes Of Satan

Daily Bread

Daily Devotions with Pastor Chuck

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From Second Corinthians we read,

“in order that no advantage be taken of us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes.” (II Corinthians 2:11 – NASB)

“Satan,” a powerful spirit being! He is our arch enemy! He is our “adversary.” No one to fool with, that is for certain. We have no power in and of ourselves over this prince of darkness, this powerful being that seeks to deceive and destroy, this “roaring lion” that “prowls about . . . seeking someone to devour.” We call upon the Lord to deal with him, for only God can subdue Satan and thwart his evil intentions, render him ineffective. We “resist” the devil by being “of sober spirit . . . on the alert,” and when we sense his advances at us we call upon the Lord to “rebuke” him. (cf. I Peter 5:8 and Jude 9).

The apostle Paul was very aware of “Satan.” In his ministry and in that of other disciples of Christ he was desiring that “no advantage be taken of (them) by Satan.” And he then noted, “for we are not ignorant of his schemes.”

This word “schemes” in the original language speaks of the “intellect,” the “mind,” the “thought” process. So, we are not “ignorant” of Satan’s “mind” and his “thinking.” We should be able to recognize when he is attempting to take “advantage” of us. How is it that we are able to recognize his advances, know “his schemes?”

We use the,

“. . . . the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17 – NASB)

By reading, by studying, by meditating on, by knowing “the word of God” we raise up “the sword of the Spirit.” We learn from God’s Word what are the “schemes” of “Satan.” We learn from God’s Word his mindset, his adversarial thinking, his thought process, and we are equipped to recognize how he operates.

Brethren, “Satan” wants, through his “schemes,” to destroy you! He wants to “devour” you! He has ways by which he attempts to do this. If you are not in the Word you will be “ignorant” of “his schemes,” and you will fall prey to him. If you are taking up “the sword of the Spirit,” then, and only then, are you equipped to say, “I am not ignorant of his schemes.”

Have a good day . . . and as you walk, be sober, be alert, and be in the Word!