How to Recognize the Underhanded Methods of the Enemy

Have You Been Ambushed?

This question may perfectly describe where you are at right now. Or, perhaps this triggers a memory of when you know that something demonic was behind the scenes. There you were, going through the motions in life and everything seemed to be going steady and smooth. Your routine was going as usual and you found yourself getting comfortable and even feeling safe. You finally started to let your guard down.

Then suddenly, you were under full blown attack. The warfare was thick and you found yourself wondering where this came from. How it even happened? Things were going so well, and then boom! The roof caved in.

There is a war that wages around us. It is unseen, yet we can feel the turbulence in the air.

That is because we are under attack by an enemy who sneaks around looking for those he can devour. While invisible, he is very real.

So how do we stay on guard? How do we fight this unseen enemy who prowls?

The Tactics of Our Enemy

How do we avoid attack and outwit a sneaky enemy? We have to be knowledgable about the methods of our enemy to identify what is demonic.

It can be difficult because our adversary masquerades as an angel of light. This means he’s more than a shifty foe we’d recognize, he’s in disguise.

But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.

2 Corinthians 11:14-15. NLT

To know your enemy is to know how to pray and stay guarded against his strategies. The Word of God gives us insight into how Satan and his minions operate. This is great news and is a testimony to the fact that ultimately our enemy loses and that he will be swallowed up in victory. Every scheme will be cast into the lake of fire along with him. That will surely be a time of rejoicing.

But for now, we need to know what the enemy’s underhanded methods are so we will be equipped for the fight and not be caught off guard.

How Does The Enemy Operate?

1. He Has an Army of Darkness

Unfortunately, satan doesn’t operate by himself. In fact, when he was cast out of Heaven, a third of the angels in Heaven went with him. These are demons and they are on a mission to destroy. Although satan’s army has numbers, we have the authority to bind the enemy and hinder his evil fleet.

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in the dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:12 NLT

2. Satan is Devious

He operates in crooked and shifty ways.  His strike will most likely come from a place that you weren’t expecting.  He doesn’t usually attack head on.  His manner is crafty and calculating.  The Book of 1 Peter describes the devil as a roaring lion who is on the prowl.  When I imagine a lion, I think of a crouching beast that hides in the midst of the tall grass waiting for an opportunity.  Then he pounces out of nowhere.

This tells me that I need to be alert and to be praying for the areas that seemingly pose no threat.  This kind of prayer is proactive against our enemy and exposes where he is attempting to hide.  Satan’s craftiness then becomes exposed with the light that is within us.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

1 Peter 5:8. NLT

3. He Comes to Steal, Kill, and Destroy

Our adversary makes every attempt to steal our peace, kill our dreams, and destroy our souls.  He will rob us of our joy and try to convince us that all is hopeless and lost.  His path is destruction and violence follows him.  Satan will try and steer us towards taking matters into our own hands and that somehow vengeance is necessary, when in fact it’s part of his diabolical plan. In 1 Corinthians 14:33 the word states that God is not a God of disorder, but peace.  The original Greek definition of “disorder” is 181. akatastasia which means disturbance, upheaval, revolution, almost anarchy, first in the political, and thence in the moral sphere. 

We thwart this strategy by staying meek, resolute, and also by persevering when we are in the midst of suffering. We can declare and decree God’s protective hand over us and ask to be strengthened as we endure. God will not fail us.

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace…

1 corinthians 14:33 NLT

4. He is a Deceiver

Satan is the father of lies.  He causes doubt and leads you to a place where you are questioning what God says.  He caused Eve to second guess in the garden of Eden which ultimately led to her disobedience along with Adam and he does the same with us.

The devil makes his version of the truth look enticing so that we make foolish choices.  He promises an easy way, when in fact it leads us down a path of destruction.

We are to test everything by what the Word of God says to see if it holds any weight.  By examining under the scope of truth we are able to discern what is from God and what isn’t.

For you are the children of your father the devil and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth because there is no truth in him. when he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

John 8:44 NLT

Stay Alert, Be Vigilant

When you are under attack it can be hard to remember that our fight isn’t against flesh and blood. Sometimes satan will use people of this world to attack us, oppose us, and even persecute us. But we are to take heart and stay standing. God is our Rock and He will not be swayed. Nor should we.

It is important as believers to put on the full armor of God so we can defend ourselves against every plot, every scheme, and every attack. I go into further discussion about Spiritual Warfare in a series of posts and I encourage you to read them. Satan will also attempt to Attack Your Mind, which is why you should read my post here.

The attacks may not cease until we reach Heaven, but our weapons will never get dull. The Word of God stays sharp and our Defender never slumbers.

Yours in Christ,

Natalie