Why is it that no matter how much we learn about God’s love for us, we struggle with our identity? Because who we are in Christ is the very target the enemy wants to muffle, disable, take-out, or at the least, wound.
When I think about the devil and his strategies against God’s children, I can’t help but picture an army. I’m not from a military family but I’ve watched enough movies, documentaries, and newscasts to be able to envision men at war.
Peter said, “…your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8b).
Notice the phrase “WHOM may he devour” –this is referring to WHOMEVER isn’t aware of the devil’s devices. The Bible says we should never be ignorant of Satan’s schemes against us lest we get taken advantage of. Yet, no matter how much we know this, there are days when we are still taken off-guard.
I’m sharing this with you so you’ll be prepared.
Ephesians 6:12 is worth remembering: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Other translations say we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies (NLT) or physical opponents (AMP), but against spiritual forces that control evil in the world (GWT).
More than once, I have fallen under one of these attacks. I’ve experienced the bombarding thoughts of low self-worth and unfortunately, let it consume me to such a point that I reacted negatively.
In other words, I got snagged in the enemy’s trap.
Thankfully, the Word of God and the help of the Holy Spirit always comes to the rescue. As soon as I came to my senses and put myself in remembrance of the devil’s lies and the TRUTH of God’s Word, I put the devil on the run– until guilt knocked on the door of my heart.
Ugh. Another trap.
In my book, Facing the Mirror: Finding a Self to Live With [page 19], I wrote: “At any stage of life, Satan loves using the weaknesses of our flesh as a weapon against us; much like the bully who grabs our wrist, swinging it toward our face, yelling, “Quit hitting yourself! Quit hitting yourself!” Satan targets our insecurities and then laughs at our self-destruction.”
The Bible warns us that we can fall into the snare of the enemy and be “taken captive by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:26). This is why we should never be ignorant of his devices.
Avoid the trap.
Going back to my earlier scripture, Peter said, “…your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8b). But that’s only half of the verse. The first part says, “Be sober, be vigilant, because…” (1 Peter 5:8a).
To be vigilant means to be keenly watchful, awake, and alert. Can I say it this way: don’t be ignorant.
In other words, recognize that in this life you will always be at war with the devil, so never underestimate his strategies against you or YOUR WORTH IN CHRIST. Instead, remember and meditate on truths like this one: “[God] saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began” (2 Timothy 1:9).
Not only did God save you and map out a plan for your life, but Jesus gave you and I authority over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19)! One word (even one whisper) from a child of God who believes the Bible will put the enemy on the run.
Satan’s tricks have remained the same since the garden. But as you remain firm in your faith and vigilant to stand strong in your identity in Christ, you’ll step over every snare of the enemy.
