Satan has several strategies or devices of which we have been made aware, a few of which are:
Confusion
Mystery Babylon (Babel – “confusion”), which happens to be false religion and counterfeit godliness. Even as truth is the substance of the Bride of Christ, so is confusion the substance of Satan’s bride, the devourer of souls. She has darkened the minds of many, confounding them with carnal reasonings, which are born of selfish perspectives – lies, really.
“For where envying and strife are, there is confusion and every foul deed” (James 3:16 MKJV).
Anything not of the truth is darkness and ever changing.
Nominal Christendom, as well as the rest of the world, is taught that the Bible says what it does not say. But it says what they don’t want to hear or believe, lest they should be found guilty and held accountable, so they choose to remain ignorant of it. Thus they helplessly wander in a mist of confusion.
“Ever learning and never able to come to the full knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7 MKJV).
2 Thessalonians 2:8-12 MKJV
(8) And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the breath of His mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming,
(9) whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
(10) and with all deceit of unrighteousness in those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, so that they might be saved.
(11) And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie,
(12) so that all those who do not believe the truth, but delight in unrighteousness, might be condemned.
Contradiction
Anything not of the truth is automatically contradictory. Anything not of the truth is darkness and ever changing, but truth is light that guides one along the path of life. Selfish and ignorant people contradict themselves in all that they think, say, and do, but those who walk in the light are sure in their steps.
How does one escape contradiction? Knowing that all truths mesh perfectly with one another, being of one essence and substantiated and confirmed by the Scriptures from cover to cover, over and over again.
And know this: The Scriptures are illumined not by men, but by the Holy Spirit. We can only know the truth of God by revelation. Carnal man’s mind will never do. No man can understand the Scriptures, discern Scriptural doctrine, or impart truth to any other.
Truly, the source of all contradiction is the carnal mind, which is at enmity with God. This mind feeds from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Knowledge without wisdom and understanding brings confusion and contradiction.
Let the light of truth be spoken, and it will disperse the darkness of lies.
When men speak, shadows form, but when God speaks, it is as clear and bright as the noonday sun.
Darkness
Satan’s master tool is the cover of darkness. He is the infamous genius prince of darkness, hiding and concealing that which he does. That is why he causes subjects to keep their voices down. He moves his victims to lie, deceive, conceal, whisper, backbite, gossip, slander, and murmur, thus making other victims.
His servants are fearful and ashamed of the truth. They are apologetic about the Lord Jesus Christ. Mention His Name in a worshipful way and they often blush.
Satan is suggestive in the subtlety God has formed in him (Genesis 3:1). By masking meanings and motives, he succeeds in temptations and persuading evil words and deeds. Darkness covers the facts and conceals the issues. “Yea, has God said?”
The Lord Jesus, on the other hand, instructs His servants to shout from the housetops for all to hear that which He has whispered in their ears (Matthew 10:27). His faithful sons and daughters are known as the children of light (Ephesians 5:8). They are not ashamed or afraid. They do not fear the one who can kill the body (Matthew 10:28).
One of the primary ways to fight Satan and render his tool of darkness impotent is to bring his words and deeds into the open for all to see. Let the light of truth be spoken, and it will disperse the darkness of lies and deception.
Even in the world, it is known that publicity of evil is a formidable weapon; the more people know the truth of a matter, the more fearful are the perpetrators who try to conceal their sins and crimes.
Praise God for the power of light and the right to shine.
Defilement
My great uncle, with whom I lived for a couple of years as a child, would tease me. We both loved the crust (heel) of the fresh-baked loaf of homemade bread, and we would compete for it. One day he pretended to spit on it. “Ha ha! It’s mine now – you won’t eat it,” he laughed.
Yes, that was gross, but while my uncle was pretending to defile, Satan does not pretend. His specialty is defilement, and by defiling a woman with prostitution, or a conscience with guilt, or a sacrifice with a blemish, or obedience with substitution, he lays claim to anything he defiles and presumes to render it useless unto God.
Delay to do evil, but do not delay to do what is needful and good.
But Jesus Christ is the Resurrection and the Life. What Satan defiles, Jesus can and will make clean. He raises the dead! All things are possible with Him. Satan has defiled anything and everything man has been able to touch, but now we are in the Day of the Lord, the Day of Restitution, the Day of Redemption from defilement.
No, we will no longer allow Satan to keep anything, no matter that he has claimed it by defilement. We will respect God’s grace to restore and cleanse more than we will fear Satan’s powers of destruction. In the Name and Spirit and power of the Lord, we will take it all back from Satan and make it the Lord’s once again. Amen!
Jesus’ blood and His Word washes all clean. Read Taking the Land.
Delay
Procrastination of doing good is never good. Things only pile up or get worse, which is what Satan would like to see. If you don’t apologize to someone for an offense, putting it off, the person offended has more time to brood over it and become bitter.
The longer forgiveness is withheld, the harder it comes, and the harder the unforgiven one becomes.
The same goes for obedience to the truth. Will you be among those who draw back and perish, or of those who believe to the saving of the soul?
Delay to do evil, but do not delay to do what is needful and good.
Discipline of Man
Satan savors the things that are of men, who exercise their powers to organize, formalize, ritualize, and ceremonialize. Men lay burdens upon others, pretending to be godly and to make others godly. Men formulate all sorts of laws and rules of conduct, not for good, but for their own sakes, so that they can have the glory, power, and preeminence over others. By these things, they build Satan’s kingdoms throughout the earth.
Where men work by law, God works by grace, so that men are transformed to keep not man’s laws, but His Law. Men achieve the possible, but God the impossible. Praise be to God!
While Satan savors the things that are of men, the called, chosen, and faithful of the Lord savor the Law of God. They are His disciples, faithful and true to Him and to Him alone.
“Concerning the works of men, by the Words of Your lips, I am kept from the paths of the destroyer” (Psalms 17:4 MKJV).
Distortion
The evil rulers of the darkness of this world, the spiritual wickedness in high places, distort everything. How distortion-laden are almost every commercial seen and heard. The medical establishment, commercial enterprises, governments, educational systems, military, and religious all dress in presentable finery, justifying themselves by appearances and spin-doctoring in their constant evil mercenary deeds.
Man will believe any lie as long as he does not have to face God and die.
A prime element of the modus operandi of Satan’s kingdoms is deception by distorting the facts and leading people by their emotions and misinformation to buy and sell, steal, kill and destroy.
Distraction
Of distraction there are many forms. How many times I have tried to bring home a point or stay on a matter of importance, only to find that people change the subject! Whenever truth becomes too uncomfortable for those unwilling to yield to it or to confess or acknowledge their sins and shortcomings, they will try to distract in any way possible. The prince of darkness persuades them to conceal, avoid, and evade. “Let there be no accountability,” he says.
It was Samuel Johnson who said patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel. I think that religion is the preferred refuge for most. Rather than face themselves and feed as good children at the breast of reality, many comfort themselves with religious soothers like ceremony, ritual, cause, dogma, sycophancy with, and blind obedience to, spiritual or religious leaders, church membership and attendance, and even works that are good in themselves. Anything but reality.
Religion is the greatest bane of man, the most deceptive, lethal, effective, pretentious, and prevalent distraction Satan has at his disposal. Religion is in the soul of every man, as blood is in his veins; it does not matter if he calls himself an evolutionist or an atheist; it is all “religion.” He must worship something, even though he may deny he worships anything, not even realizing he does worship something.
Man will believe any lie or practice any act as long as he does not have to face God and die. Religion is the greatest distraction and salve of conscience, a prime weapon in Satan’s arsenal against God and mankind.
“And in her (Mystery, Babylon the Great – false religion) was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all those who were slain on the earth” (Revelation 18:24 MKJV).
Doubt
Oh, what a powerful weapon this is! I have been wounded many, many times by this formidable piece of Satan’s arsenal. He uses it on me all the time, knowing my weakness. Not that I can blame him for my sins and infirmities.
When we doubt, we are weak and unable to pierce the armor of the enemy. We are unable to advance and take the ground. We must not doubt. We must stand strong, and the only way we can do that is not to waiver, and the only way we can do that is to pray and remember the Word of the Lord we have heard or red concerning whatever matter on which we entertain doubt.
“And He also spoke a parable to them to teach it is always right to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1 MKJV).
“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, Who gives to all liberally and with no reproach, and it shall be given to him. But let him ask in faith, doubting nothing. For he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed. For do not let that man think that he shall receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, not dependable in all his ways” (James 1:5-8 MKJV).
One must know that to please the flesh and the world is to betray God.
I have seen many fall with doubt, because doubt, if allowed to take hold, leads to undue suspicion, and undue suspicion leads to weakness and resignation, and resignation leads to total defeat.
I can be thankful the Lord has been merciful to me so as not to allow doubt to overcome me. Believe the Lord, which is faith! Doubt is to believe the Devil. Which do you choose?
“The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 MKJV).
Double-mindedness
This is a close companion of doubt. The double-minded man is forever weighing things out to his advantage.
“My will or Thy will? Which? Or are our wills the same? If I like what You will, then it must be good, but if I don’t, then it is not Your will.”
The dual-minded man gives as much time and credence to the Devil’s words as he does to the Lord’s. Such conduct is a sickening display of constant near-treachery. One must know that to please the flesh and the world is to betray God. One cannot have it both ways.
Romans 8:5-8 MKJV
(5) For they who are according to the flesh mind the things of flesh, but they who are according to the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
(6) For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace
(7) because the carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can it be.
(8) So then they who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Double-mindedness leads to two-facedness, which leads to “double-tonguedness,” which inevitably culminates in a betrayal of that which is good.
James 1:6-7 MKJV
(6) For he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed.
(7) For do not let that man think that he shall receive anything from the Lord.
Dread of Man
We all deeply desire to be accepted, recognized, and honored by others. We want to fit socially and be made to feel important and useful to others, the more, the better. When these desirables are threatened, we become insecure and fearful. So what do we do? We try to please people.
First of all, many have learned that not everyone can be pleased. Many are familiar with Aesop’s fable of the old man, the boy, and the donkey, as they travel by observers. Is it not a vain thing to please man?
He who loves himself hates God. Did you know Judas coveted the praise of men?
We also know that man, being a sinner, never thinks as does God:
“”My thoughts,” says the LORD, “are not like yours, and My ways are different from yours. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are My ways and thoughts above yours” (Isaiah 55:8-9 GNB).
He who pleases man is certain to displease God. He who fears man does not fear God. And what does God say about the fear of God?
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. Stubborn fools despise wisdom and discipline” (Proverbs 1:7 GW).
What does God say about the fear of man?
“It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the LORD, you are safe” (Proverbs 29:25 GNB).
Treasuring that which pleases man is Satan’s pleasure, as Jesus made known to Peter:
“But He turned and said to Peter, Go, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you do not savor the things that are of God, but those that are of men” (Matthew 16:23 MKJV).
“Still, however, even out of the rulers, many did believe on Him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory of men more than the glory of God” (John 12:42-43 MKJV).
He who loves himself hates God. Did you know that Judas coveted the praise of men? When worse comes to worst, fear of man leads to betrayal.
Formality
If you go to a church service, you will find little opportunity, if any at all, to visit, speak, or ask questions. It is arranged that when you enter, you subject yourself to the doctrines and systems devised by Satan through men, so he may have the preeminence by way of man’s righteousness.
Think about it: Since when did men conducting themselves in formal procedure ever hope to be righteous before God? Are their righteousnesses worth anything to Him? Because they wear suits and ties, are they more acceptable to God? Is it not the heart that counts to Him? Shall man’s timing, ceremony, pomp, prettiness, and pretence persuade God to accept him?
Flattery and sympathy are the food of fools.
Of what value is formality to God? None. But it is of great value to Satan, who stifles life and keeps everything quiet and under control by formality. God prefers reality.
Love and Affection
We have discovered the lovely essence of Satan. We also believe that which many call love to be the mark of protection on Cain and his descendants. Read False Love – Satan’s Last Stronghold.
Mysticism
Satan uses mystery, secret knowledge, double meanings, and plays on words to tickle the fancies of adventuresome, proud, power-hungry people. This methodology is the revelry of men to feed their pride and make them feel important. It has nothing to do with humility and sense of unprofitableness before God, which is the hallmark of those of true faith (Luke 17:5-10).
Has anyone red Alexander Hislop’s Two Babylons? It is packed with a load of information that may open eyes and boggle not a few minds – an exposure of deception at its best.
We have also discovered that intellectual mysticism is the stuff of the story of Lazarus and the rich man, which also falls under the category of “Distraction,” seeing it is a false plant in God’s field of truth. Read The Rich Man and Lazarus – A Pagan Parable.
Sentimentality
Mush is the stuff of man, moving him to move mountains to obtain it, using it to persuade men to move mountains. Flattery and sympathy are the food of fools. Give them these things and they will love you for it.
Is God against compassion, feelings, mercy, and sympathy where and when called for? No, just like He is not against fire and water where and when called for, but He is not for fire and water where not called for. Floods and forest fires can be disastrous, and Satan loves to flood and burn men’s souls with sentimentality, with nostalgia, and with unrealistic passions that serve no other purpose than to preoccupy and to bind, blind, and cripple one emotionally.
Let’s not be deceived or deterred by the threats of the enemy.
Matthew 16:21-25 MKJV
(21) From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
(22) Then Peter took Him and began to rebuke Him, saying, God be gracious to You, Lord! This shall never be to You.
(23) But He turned and said to Peter, Go, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you do not savor the things that are of God, but those that are of men.
(24) Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.
(25) For whoever desires to save his life shall lose it, and whoever desires to lose his life for My sake shall find it.
Substitution
“Samuel said, ‘Which does the LORD prefer: obedience or offerings and sacrifices? It is better to obey Him than to sacrifice the best sheep to Him. Rebellion against Him is as bad as witchcraft, and arrogance is as sinful as idolatry. Because you rejected the LORD’s command, He has rejected you as king’” (1 Samuel 15:22-23 GNB).
If one tells a welder to wear a welder’s helmet when welding, shall that one wear sunglasses instead? If a customer in a restaurant orders a steak, shall the waiter bring him cereal? How much more should we render to God the things that are God’s?
Whatever the Lord asks us to do is ever for our good. Why should we disobey Him? Why should we bite the hand that feeds us? Read the lyrics or listen to the song, His Yoke Is Easy. Also read Obedience.
Threatenings
The spiritual pilgrim on the Path of Truth is ever threatened with loss, failure, pain, shame, rejection, humiliation, and all those things man simply does not like. We are afraid that if we speak the truth or mention the Name of Jesus Christ in a loving and worshipful way, we will lose all sorts of social benefits – business, customers, honor, respect, and manifold actual and potential possessions.
Satan wants to avoid the proclamation of truth. But the Truth went the full yardage to score the perfect goal for us, paying with His life so that we might possess all things. Let’s not be deceived or deterred by the threats of the enemy. He is a liar; we have nothing to fear.
“Therefore let no one glory in men. For all things are yours, whether it is Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s” (1 Corinthians 3:21-23 MKJV).
The lions alongside the Path of Truth are indeed chained so that they cannot reach it or harm us as we travel on it, believing.
“For everything that has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5 MKJV).
Victor Hafichuk