2 Cor 2.10,11 To whom ye forgive any thing, I [forgive] also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave [it], for your sakes [forgave I it] in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Eph 6.11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
The devil is a real enemy. He challenged The Son of God one on one, so we should not think that he would hesitate to challenge us. Apart from Jesus and His Holy Spirit, we are no match for this formidable foe. Even Michael the archangel did not contend with him over the body of Moses. My thoughts this morning are in regard to the devils “agenda” to wreak havoc in the body of Christ.
Paul wrote about the wiles, or strategy of the devil. The devil is crafty and conniving. He is the master deceiver who delights in stealing, killing and destroying God’s people. He will capitalize on any flaw or sin that he possibly can. He loves to devour the people of God with unforgiveness, bitterness, envy, pride, contention or lust. He has more “tools” in his quiver than the day is long. His goal is to ruin relationships, marriages and churches. All he needs to do is plant that seed of suspicion or disapproval and the deal is on. Instead of going to the cross, he tells us to get even. Instead of forgiving others like God for Christ’s sake has forgiven us. He tells us and then sells us the old, “but what he or she did to me is different” story. He will kill you with quiet or explosive anger. As long as “the bomb” goes off verbally or with our actions, he could care less how it happens, as long as his strategy prevails.
I have heard it said that the enemy rarely shoots at a docked ship. In other words, if a person is not following the will or ways of The Lord, the devil need not bother him or her. He already has lulled them into his web of destruction. Let them “veg out” on the world and the flesh. Their horrible witness for Christ is his delight! But if you are seeking God with all of your heart, beware. He will fire away blatantly and seductively. Stay close to Jesus. Stay in His Word. Keep short accounts with The Lord and one another. He can only divide and conquer when we consent to his ugly, unloving schemes instead of going to the cross of Jesus and filtering the enemy’s devices through the lens of Calvary and the grace, forgiveness, mercy and love of God. Selah
