The Schemes and Strategies of Satan

In our daily meditations over the past few days, we have been examining the unseen world and its inhabitants on that spiritual plane. Paul the Apostle wrote that in that realm, there are at least four different categories of spiritual beings that are at war against God’s creation and kingdom.

¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. ¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:10-12; emphasis added).

When Paul the Apostle described the believer’s struggle against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms, he listed four categories. Before explaining these evil beings, he urges us to stand firm against the devil’s schemes or methods (v. 11). Let’s consider those strategies. Using the analogy of an American football coach with a playbook guiding his team, Satan constantly tries different plays against each of us who are in Christ. We shouldn’t call them "plays"; they are strategies designed to overcome and destroy your life and testimony of Christ. He observes your weaknesses and plans how to overwhelm you by finding a fault or a bent in your character, similar to a lion prowling around: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Let me give you an example:

There is a fable that Satan's agents failed in their various attempts to draw into sin a holy man living as a hermit in the desert of northern Africa. Every effort failed, so Satan became personally involved in the case, angered by his subordinates' incompetence. He said, "You have failed because your methods are too crude for one such as this. Watch this." He approached the holy man with great care and whispered in his ear, "Your brother has just been made Bishop of Alexandria." The holy man's face immediately showed that Satan had succeeded: a great scowl formed over his mouth, and his eyes tightened. "Envy," said Satan, "is often our best weapon against those who seek holiness."^[1]

Do not underestimate the knowledge Satan, his evil angels, and demons have gained over thousands of years as they observe people in their daily lives. He understands how the human mind works. Remember, our enemy is not limited to the earthly span of seventy years; he has been at this since the Garden of Eden.

In the passage at the top of the page (v. 12), the Greek term translated as 'struggle' is 'palē,' which means to wrestle or sway back and forth. It suggests two people engaged in close combat, each trying different moves to overcome the other. Paul clarifies that our struggle is not against flesh and blood; in other words, humans are not our enemies. When the opportunity presents itself, the enemy may use people against us, but those who walk with Christ should not retaliate. Our fight is not against flesh and blood but against unseen spiritual forces in the heavenly realms. Recognizing this is essential for us to understand. See the opposition for what it truly is. The REAL battle is with the enemy of our souls. The Lord will give you the strategy to overcome evil with good. Ask God for His plan. John the Apostle wrote:

We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one (1 John 5:19).

I believe John is writing that Satan has organized his evil forces so that countries, regions, towns, villages [the whole world], and people all have some degree of enemy personality trying to control what happens within their sphere of influence. When referencing the entire world under Satan's control, John the Apostle is talking about the world system established by Satan against God. Those walking with Christ are no longer under his authority and control (Colossians 1:13). The only way he can influence us is through our minds if we permit him. In our daily meditation tomorrow, we will examine more closely the Greek words Paul used to describe the four categories of evil mentioned in Ephesians 6:12, or you can click the link below to read the detailed study today.

This shortened meditation is from Spiritual Warfare: Overcoming Evil. The study is 3. Know Your Enemy

^[1] Edited by Michael Green, 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, Published in 1982 by Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Mich., Page 121.