Satan’s Strategy
John 8:42-47
We who follow Christ have an enemy, and his name is Satan. (Mark 1:13) A created being, he is loose in the world but limited in what he can carry out against us. (Job 1:12) Satan wants people not to believe in him because then he is able to work undetected. While he is a defeated foe (John 16:11), he pretends otherwise.
What are Satan’s objectives?
1. To draw us away from God through both direct and subtle means.
2. To thwart God’s purpose in our lives by getting us out of our Father’s will.
3. To deny God His rightful glory and honor, which results from our choosing to live obedient lives.
4. To destroy us in this world.
Known as the prince of this world (John 14:30 NIV), he uses lies, deceit, and temptation as tools for achieving his goals. To carry out his work, he has chosen our minds as a major battleground. Why? Because our faulty thinking leads to disobedient behavior, which impedes God’s purposes for us. Erroneous thinking produces vulnerabilities like fearfulness or worry, which Satan can exploit to hinder our spiritual progress.
While we may suffer setbacks, we will not be overcome, for “greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). To be victorious, we must “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5b NIV). Begin with a prayer of surrender: “Lord, I give you control over my mind. Reveal any thinking that does not agree with Your Word, and teach me Your truth. Amen.”
Daily Devotions with Dr. Charles Stanlley, InTouch Ministries