Don’t be Ignorant of the Devils Devices
Don’t be Ignorant of the Devil’s Devices
Don’t be ignorant of the devil’s devices. This is the second lesson in our series “Don’t be Ignorant”. There are several things God specifically warns us not to be ignorant about. One of them is the “devil’s devices”.
Corinthians 2:10-11 says, “Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.”
What are His Devices?
All the devices of the devil are rooted in DECEPTION. The two ways a person is deceived are. 1) To believe that which is not true or 2) to refuse to believe that which is true.
Satan is an expert at both, and his devices are directed at getting you to do one or the other. The 3 main devices the devil uses are –
- Doubt
- Lies and
- Temptations
They are the same devices he used in the garden of Eden against Adam and Eve.
Satan Deceives Adam and Eve
- First, he sows seeds of doubt in your mind. “Did God really say?” (Genesis 3:1) Satan will try and get you to doubt God’s Word. Did God really say He would –
- Save you?
- Forgive you?
- Deliver you?
- Help you?
- Protect you?
- Prosper you?
- Heal you?
- Second, he will lie to you. “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman.” (Genesis 3:4) This is the exact opposite of what God said. He wants to replace God’s truth with his lies. You are a loser. You have no purpose. God will never forgive you. It’s too late. All these are opposite of God’s truth. The devil is a liar. He is the father of lies. (John 8:44) Don’t believe the lies of the devil. Believe God.
- Third, he will tempt you. “you will be like God…” (Genesis 3:5). This was the devil tempting Eve with the pride of life. The devil is the tempter. (Mt. 4:3) He uses the world system to tempt us. What is the world system? It is the lust of flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. (1John 2:16)
How the Devil Uses the World System to Tempt Us
He uses the lust of the flesh,
which is made of those things that appeal to our carnal and physical appetite. Although natural body desires are not inherently evil (e.g., the need for food, drink, and sexual fulfillment), the devil uses these natural desires and perverts and corrupts them to enslave man (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:12). In this category of temptation, Satan uses man’s natural desires to produce illicit carnal passions (e.g., gluttony, fornication).
He uses the lust of the eyes,
which refers to those things that appeal to the eye, that are attractive, desirable, etc., but when not controlled lead to insatiable demands (Ecclesiastes 1:8). In this category of temptation, Satan uses external attraction (whether inherently good, as a desire for a house or a car, or inherently bad, as a desire for a neighbor’s wife) to produce covetousness. The devil tried to tempt Jesus by the lust of the eyes when he “showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, ‘All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me’” (Matthew 4:8-9).
He uses the pride of life
which is everything that appeals to haughtiness, arrogance, and pride. In this category of temptation, Satan uses contemplation of personal achievement (e.g., popularity, academic success, fame, etc.) to produce an anarchical self-sufficient attitude. When a person falls prey to the pride of life, there is not longer a battle against the flesh; the wicked one has won the sensual and intellectual battle. The Israelites succumbed to this type of sin when they “acted proudly, hardened their necks, and did not heed [God’s]
The devil looks for areas of weakness and will try and tempt you in those areas– money, food, power, fame, sex, etc. We never need to be deceived by or give in to the Devil’s temptations. He only succeeds if we let him. We are not powerless against the enemy! God is always ready to provide a way of escape.
Be Alert
Make no mistake about it, the devil is actively at work trying to ruin your life. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us to, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” But we don’t have to let him have his way with us. It starts with being vigilant and alert. Ephesians 6:11 instructs us to, “Put on the full armor of God so that we can take stand against the devil’s schemes.” We must learn how to be strong in the Lord and enforce the victory Jesus already won 2000 years ago at Calvary. God has given us everything we need to be victorious.
Recognize – Remember – Resist
Ephesians 6:11 instructs us to, “Put on the full armor of God so that we can take stand against the devil’s schemes.” We must learn how to be strong in the Lord and enforce the victory Jesus already won 2000 years ago at Calvary. God has given us everything we need to be victorious and not fall prey to the devices and deceptions of the devil. Here are 3 keys to avoid being snared by the devices of the devil –
- Recognize the devices of the devil coming against you. Know what the devices are – don’t be ignorant and then be alert to recognize when you are confronted with one of his schemes
- Remember who you are in Christ and the power of His Word. The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit. Jesus overcame every temptation of Satan with the Word. He responded to each temptation with “It is written! (Mt. 4:1-1) Each attack of the devil has a counterattack.
- Resist the devil’s tactics. James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Notice is says the devil “WILL” flee not might flee or possibly flee. When you are submitted to God and resist the devil he must flee.
So, don’t be ignorant of the devices of the devil. Don’t give place to the devil. Walk in love and refuse to strive with your fellow man. Rather give place to the Holy Spirit!