The Devil's Schemes
“...in order that no advantage be taken of us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes” -2 Cor. 2:11
Anyone who has read the apostle Paul’s letters to the churches is familiar with his teaching on the spiritual warfare that attends the Christian life. He makes it clear there really is a fallen angel, Lucifer, who hates Jesus and His followers, and is doing everything He can to disrupt their lives. Jesus described the devil’s activities as robbing, killing and destroying (John 10:10) and that activity gets experienced by us in different ways. Ultimately, the devil, and his demons, seek to prevent people from experiencing salvation but if they are unsuccessful there, they will do whatever they can to make us miserable and unproductive. Most of us are all too familiar with this reality of the Christian life.
What isn’t always as apparent is the various ways that the enemy comes against us. In the verse quoted above Paul uses the word “schemes” or “devices” to suggest there are multiple strategies the devil and his minions use to come against us. In addition, Dr. Jack Hayford reminds us in his message “Devised for Your Defeat” these schemes are tailor made for us, reflecting our personal weaknesses. Put it all together and it is easy to see how important it is that we are not “ignorant” (literally without knowledge) of his schemes so that he is not able to take advantage of us.
All of this was brought to my attention again as I was reflecting on the drift (apathy) we sometimes experience in both life and ministry. It’s a kind of spiritual malaise that anesthetizes us and renders us motionless. We aren’t doing anything sinful or rebellious but we aren’t really engaged either. We are just kind of floating along without any clear sense of purpose. I don’t think most of us would connect this with a spiritual attack of the enemy but I believe that often it is the result of the devil taking advantage of our ignorance of his schemes. When we are attacked directly through the words and actions of others or through adverse circumstances it is easy to recognize the connection to the devil’s activity. But when he whispers in our ear a believable lie that diminishes the significance of God’s activity in our lives or the importance of the task God has given us, we don’t always make the connection. Our ignorance makes us vulnerable.
All of this highlights the importance of Paul’s admonition later in the letter when he exhorts us to “take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). The enemy knows our strengths, weaknesses and the seasons where we are vulnerable to specific kinds of attacks. Sometimes it is a direct frontal attack meant to intimidate and discourage, other times he comes in through the back door with a whisper of a lie that takes us out of the game. He is equally pleased to use either tactic.
Where are you today? Are you fully engaged in life and your calling? Or has the enemy taken advantage of you? In the power of the Holy Spirit God enables us to stand if we put on His armor and listen to His voice. Let us make a commitment to have the Holy Spirit show us all the ways the enemy seeks to come against us and render us ineffective. If we do, Jesus will once again lead us into the abundant life He died to give us.
Author
Pastor Bruce is the Executive Director of God's Living Stones. He lives in Omaha, NE, with his wife Barb. They have two adult children.
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