Enemy Strategy
Enemy Strategy
The nation was horrified when it learned that Japan had sent ambassadors of peace to talk peace while the aircraft carriers were moving into place for the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The enemy had tricked us with a very old strategy. He had made us think that his intentions were good when they were really bad, and he had hidden his presence from us in order that he might more effectively strike at us. There is an ancient proverb which says, "Beware of Greeks, bearing gifts." The same trick that deceived us had been used often in ancient times.
The origin of that trick is not the work of men, though. The Bible gives us a very clear picture of the enemy of souls at that same kind of work. Paul says, speaking of Satan, "We are not ignorant of his devices" (2 Cor. 2:11). Certainly there is no need for ignorance concerning the devices of the devil, for they arc set forth plainly in the Word of God, and they are also visible all around us.
Yet if you should go down the street on a sidewalk quiz program, Mr. Average-man might tell you that he is not even sure that there is such a being as a real devil. Such a man should say to himself, "Remember Pearl Harbor." It was when they got us to thinking that they were not there, that they were able to hit us hardest. Satan is not spreading the idea that he does not exist because he is modest, shy, and retiring, but because he is the enemy of souls.
Another one of his characteristic stratagems is to give those who believe that he does exist an entirely wrong concept of what his true nature and character really are. In the Middle Ages, when there were no radios, no magazines, no newspapers, no movies, no telephones, and none of our modern means of passing the time, the people were frequently amused by the miracle plays. These were a sort of religious pageant in which religious stories were acted out on the stage. The audience learned to look for one character on the stage who was always dressed in red, wore horns on his head, and a tail dangling out behind him. His hoofs were cloven, and he had a pitchfork in his hand. The onlookers were quite thrilled when they saw this figure sneaking up on the hero or the heroine. The idea arose that Satan could be called the "old Nick," or "his satanic majesty," and that he was a slightly comic character.
It is always dangerous to underestimate the enemy. The Bible gives us the true picture of this being: that he really exists, and that he is the enemy of men. We need, religiously, to get over the idea that Satan is a comic character and realize that he is a malignant being of great power who hates men. He hates us because God has said that He is someday going to replace the rule of Satan by the rule of righteous man, under Christ. We will do best to submit ourselves to God, and to realize that the death of Jesus Christ was the means whereby the Lord conquered Satan. We must submit ourselves to the Savior who will enable us to live lives of victory over the enemy.
1. If Satan is cunning and able to make him devices seem good, how than do we discern if we are being faithful to God or Satan?
2. If Satan uses every means possible to make us stumble, how does that affect the way you make decisions?
