Paul urged awareness of the devices of Satan in 2 Corinthians 2:11, also called the “wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). He is a crafty adversary, intent on the destruction of every human possible. Do not be so naïve as to think that he is not after you. The Scriptures reveal him to be a relentless foe, waiting for the child of God to give even a small foothole into their lives (Ephesians 4:27). We’re told to “resist the devil” so that he will flee from us (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:9). Let us consider what the Bible says of the devil’s devices and wiles.
He is a chameleon. He makes himself and what he offers look appealing (2 Corinthians 11:7), but it is a lie. He’ll try to convince us that sin is for our good, that God is keeping something back from us (Genesis 3:1-5). He is a student of what stirs you and what you will ignore. The devil knows what you lust for and is willing to oblige (James 1:14-16). He aims for the heart (John 13:2; Acts 5:3-4; 8:20-23), urging us to fulfill the lusts of our heart (Romans 1:24; 2 Peter 2:18). If we’re not careful, he will put things in our heart, contrary to the will of God (Matthew 16:23).
Recall how Satan asked for Job, to persecute him in an effort to have Job curse God (Job 1:9-12; 2:4-6). On the night of His betrayal, Jesus said,
Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren. (Luke 22:31-32)
He seeks to tempt us and sift us and cause us to turn away from the Lord just as he did these two stalwarts of faith. But we have the assurance that
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:12)
Satan will seek to destroy our relationships. In the qualifications for elders, it is emphasized that
He must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. (1 Timothy 3:7)
The importance of sexual intimacy in marriage was emphasized by Paul, lest Satan “tempt you because of your lack of self-control” (1 Corinth-ians 7:5).
He delights in destroying individuals and families, but also seeks to bring nations to ruin. In 1 Chro-nicles 21:1, we are told
Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel.
How devastating when the leaders of a nation give ear to the smooth lies and lofty praise of the devil.
If he cannot cause us to turn away from serving the Lord, he will certainly make life as miserable as he is able. Job was a wealthy man, having great possessions and a large family. In a single day, the devil took it all from him. Jesus healed a woman “whom Satan had bound” for eighteen years with an awful infirmity, and was maligned for doing so (Luke 13:11-16).
Paul knew that he was on the devil’s hit list. Writing to the new Christians who were in the city of Thessalonica, the apostle said,
Therefore we wanted to come to you – even I, Paul, time and again – but Satan hindered us. (1 Thessalonians 2:18)
Despite all the things Paul had in Christ Jesus, he was very aware of “a thorn in the flesh,” which he identified as “a messenger of Satan” (2 Corinthians 12:7). He asked the Lord to remove it, but instead, God used what Satan intended to weaken Paul’s faith as a means of boosting it (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
We have a formidible enemy, and he will come at us with every offense that he is able to put forth. If you side with the Lord, expect to be a prime target of the devil. And as you exercise your faith more, expect the assault of the Satan to heighten. But stand firm with this knowledge,
…the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3)
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