… so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Summary: Understanding who the devil is helps us understand his schemes and why we need to take a stand.
Paul tells us to put on the “armor of God,” but why? Who is this devil that Paul talks about, and what are his schemes?
The answer to these questions is important. Whether we know it or not, we are engaged in a war. It is a horrible, ongoing war that has been waged throughout all of history. It is a war for world domination. It is a war for the possession of people’s souls.
Perhaps the best description of the devil is found in Revelation 12:9:
“The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.”
Serpent, devil, and Satan are all names for the same thing.
We first see the serpent in Genesis 3: 1-7. God’s Word describes him as “more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made” (Genesis 3:1). His first “scheme”* was to entice Adam and Eve into a death trap (See “John 6:27 – Spiritual Food” for an explanation).
Satan appears throughout the Bible, sometimes center stage, more often in the background. He is constantly testing us, God’s creation, enticing us to rebel against our Creator.
In the Book of Job, Satan presents himself before God, asking to test God’s servant, Job. Satan spent his time “roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.” (Job 2:2) Does Satan already know that Job was a righteous man? It would seem so. It is clear from the text that Satan did not care about Job. His only interest was enticing Job to curse God.
And what about Jesus?
Before starting his ministry, Jesus was tested, too. Instead of “painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head” (Job 2:7), Jesus is afflicted with forty days of hunger. When he was weakest, the devil, called the “tempter” (Matthew 4:3), came and tested Jesus. But Jesus was not defenseless.
Jesus was wearing the armor of God.
Each time the devil tested Jesus, Jesus responded with God’s Word. Truth, righteousness, and the gospel of peace are his. Jesus is the embodiment of faith, and the Author of both Life and the Word (John 1:1-5). In the coming verses, Paul will explain how and why we need to use the same armor.
Application: Choose a side and take a stand.
Food for Thought: What are some of the devil’s “schemes” that you are aware of?
*The Greek word for “scheme” is an interesting construct of two words — “μεθοδεία methodeía, meth-od-i’-ah; from a compound of G3326 and G3593 (compare “method”); travelling over, i.e. travesty (trickery):—wile, lie in wait.” (“G3180 – methodeia – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (niv).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 10 Oct, 2023. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3180/niv/mgnt/0-1/.)
One of them is to get us to question God’s motives, truthfulness and goodness. In the garden he subtly moved Eve to question God. Then he asked the question, “Did God really say…”. After that was successful he made an alternative truth claim, “You will not surely die.”
In that conversation he made God out to be restrictive, selfish and a liar. He projected his own failings onto God in the conversation and Adam and Eve took the bait. He appealed to their pride saying that they could be like God and thus be independent from God – as if that is a good thing.
It is an effective weapon that he still wields. We need to put on the armor of God to have the equipment to go to war against this deceptive enemy. If another truth claim is made that contradicts God’s revealed word, don’t take the bait.
Rich,
Thank you! Yes, questions are a powerful rhetorical tool! The devil seems to have mastered them as a means for getting into our heads. Having an “open mind” doesn’t mean that we don’t guard against evil thoughts.
Good devotion and good response from Rich.
Another scheme is get us to believe we can find salvation through works. At a lower level, that we can find security and validation in our accomplishments. At it higher level, that we don’t need the Savior. It is a lie that tells us there is such a thing as “sum-zero” with sin. That we can counter bad with good, and be righteous.
Romans 3: 10-11 as it is written:
“None is righteous, no, not one;
no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
Faith in God, faith in Christ, brings righteousness. The works that follow glorify God, not self.
Romans 4:3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,
Thank you, Chris!
Yes, the “salvation through works” ruse. It seems logical, but it’s a trap!
Great comments. I was going to mention how the darts aren’t normal darts. They are on fire!
Oh yes!
Fire darts are like fire ants! When they bite, they burn!
10-11-2023, What are some of the devil’s “schemes” that you are aware of?
We know Satan is more powerful than any human being can imagine, however he is restrained by God and can only tempt into acts of sin. He has no power over mankind and cannot force anyone into sin. Therefore, we are each remain accountable for all our sins. Job 1:6-22.
Following His baptism by John the Baptist, Jesus Christ was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit, to be tempted by the Satan. Jesus fasted for 40 days prior to temptation.
1.) Satan tempted Jesus to use His powers as God, to feed His flesh. As he said, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”
Jesus replied with Scripture, telling Satan man does not live by bread alone. Luke 4:3
2.) Satan took Jesus up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world, saying they were all under the Devil’s control. He promised Jesus to give them to Him if Jesus would fall down and worship him.
Jesus replied with scripture, “You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.” Deuteronomy 6:13
3.) Satan tempted Jesus a third time, he took Him to the highest point of the temple in Jerusalem and dared Him to throw himself down. The Devil quoted Psalm 91:11-12, misusing scripture by suggesting Jesus could make God use His angels to protect Him.
Jesus replied with scripture, Deuteronomy 6:16: “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.”
Satan uses three ways to tempt us, lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life. He tempts our flesh which without Spiritual strength from God, we are easy targets. Satan will use variations of these three as he seeks to influence us through emotional deceptions, accusations, doubts, provocations, pride, anger, lust, despair, and enticement to desire what is forbidden by God, or to desire what is in itself good, but would be obtained by illicit means.
1 John 2:16
Ron,
Thank you! Excellent summary of how Satan tempted Jesus. The reference to 1 John 2:16 is an excellent Scriptural summation.
Your point about Satan not being able to force us to sin is very important. I hope everyone reading this understands the significance of that truth.
The essence of Satan’s deceptions is confusion. If we ground ourselves in God’s truth, we are well on our way to resisting the evil one.
Spot on Brother.
Ron