Overcoming Discouragement and Doubt: The Battle Against Satan’s Deception
Finding spiritual victory by standing firm against the devil’s cunning tricks and lies
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works. II Corinthians 11:14-15
Satan is a deceiver. He knows how to dress up, act like, and make people think that he, Satan, the devil himself, is an angel of light. He knows how to get those that serve him to do the same thing.
You may not believe in satanic warfare. Over the years, many have repeatedly warned me that I placed too much emphasis on spiritual warfare. I do not think I do, and I would like to call your attention to several thoughts that might help you stand firm, fight, and find spiritual victory.
From the very beginning, Satan never is what he appears to be. His classic move is deception. Satan will lead you down a path of discouragement, doubt, disbelief, and division, and you won't even realize it. You're not realizing that is the devil is vital to the whole point.
Satan has a definite strategy, and it can be understood in one word: deception. Satan’s strategy for your life and mine is to deceive us. He is the master deceiver. He is the camouflage king. Tony Evans
In Genesis 3, Satan is cunning, crafty, and subtle. He doesn't deny what God says but brings it into question. He basically says, Did God "REALLY" say you guys couldn't eat of all the trees He created?
His exaggeration made Eve defend God by saying, "No, that is not true." However, she defended herself and fell into the trap of exaggerating by claiming that they weren't even allowed to touch the tree.
Then the devil, the serpent, Satan said, "Well, that is not true. No way you are "REALLY" going to die."
He says God is really holding out on you. He doesn't want you to have the best, but I care about you. I want you to know the real truth. God knows you will be "LIKE" Him if you ever eat that fruit.
You could be "LIKE" God, but He doesn't want the best for you. He saves that for Himself.
Can't you hear the deceiving, sneaking, cunning, crafty devil saying that?
After the fall, Eve will try to shift the blame by saying that someone beguiled or cheated her, outwitted her, deceived her, or tricked her.
Think About It
Do you ever think that Satan is playing the same game with you? He knows how to make things appear differently than they are. He knows how to paint a perfectly logical picture that is totally not what it seems.
He is a deceiver. What he says about the Bible is a twisted version. He causes you to think that you are doing the right thing. Then, when failure comes, he helps you fall deeper and deeper into discouragement. Your discouragement and the doubt you feel towards God cause a division in your heart. You try to separate life from the spiritual. You try to redefine terms, whatever you need to do to feel better.
You have been deceived. It has happened to me and everyone else countless times. So beware of Satan and his strategy and devices.
