Take your stand against the devil’s schemes (Ephesians 6:11).
Busyness is a compelling strategy of Satan’s. He knows if he can lead believers in Jesus to be perpetually busy for Jesus, prayer is postponed. A schedule with no time for solitude is not sustainable over time. So, the devil and his demons get in the head of sincere Christians and have them heading in 14 different directions. A chronically active servant of Christ is spiritually impotent compared to a focused, contemplative child of God. Too B U S Y is Being Under Satan’s Yoke!
Pride is another preferred tactic of the devil. He wants us to think we can outsmart the Lord. So he whispers in our mind, “What has God really said? Aren’t you an exception to Christ’s expectations?” Pride dismisses prayer as impractical and wills its way into getting its way. The enemy understands that God distances Himself from the proud, but He is drawn to the humble. Thus, we deflate our ego by deflecting praise of man back to God. We glory in the glory of God!
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ ” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him (Matthew 4:10-11).
Fear is a favorite scheme of Satan. He knows that fear and faith cannot coexist, so a fear-based believer is stuck in a scary cycle of infant belief. Just as a child fears the dark and is frantic, so an immature faith is paralyzed and threatened. Fear immobilizes your confidence, but intimacy with your Heavenly Father flushes out fear and replaces it with faith. The dark side of the devil’s domain has no dominion over you. Worship and praise the name of Jesus, and Satan flees in fear!
Lastly, call the devil’s bluff with your bold belief in God’s grace and protection. He cannot do anything that your Heavenly Father doesn’t first allow. However, don’t test the Lord by dabbling with temptation and giving Satan a foothold in your faith. What you tolerate in moderation the enemy will escalate to excess. So, fear God and fear of the enemy will evaporate. Be diligent to feast on God’s word and fast from the devil’s delicacies. Above all else, rest in the palm of your Heavenly Father’s hand; there you are safe from satanic schemes. In Christ, you overcome evil!
The word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one (1 John 2:14).
