Knowing the Enemy

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:11-12

Satan is a schemer. As much as I do not want to write about Satan today and even discuss his evil and heart-wrenching deeds, I am convinced that we must learn to know our enemy if we are going to defeat him. The battle is intense and Satan's ploys are downright dirty. However, from what Paul tells us, he is also predictable. The word schemes means "methods, the following or pursuing of orderly procedure in the handling of a subject". Satan attacks in the same ways and in the same areas of weakness. He has studied us and knows which tactics work and which ones don't. However, he can be so predictable that when we have experienced him enough, we can begin to spot him quickly and resist.

Even though Satan is predictable, we would be wise to take his schemes very seriously. The word struggle in verse 12 is an athletic term. It is the same word that, back in Paul's culture, was used to describe a wrestling match where two competitors try to throw each other down and pin one another down by the neck. The loser would consequently get his eyes gouged out. That is how desperate, how serious, how intense our fight is with Satan and his demons. A prime illustration of Satan's depravity and evil intent is a note left by a 23 year old heroin addict found on the front seat of her car after she had killed herself. It read:

King Heroin is my shepherd. I shall always want. He maketh me to lie down in the gutters. He leadeth me beside the troubled waters. He destroyeth my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of wickedness for the effort's sake. Yea, I shall walk through the valley of poverty and will fear all evil, for thou, Heroin, art with me. Thy needle and capsule try to comfort me. Thou strippest the table of groceries in the presence of my family. Thou robbest my head of reason. My cup of sorrow runneth over. Surely heroin addiction shall stalk me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the damned forever.

This account breaks my heart. I wonder about this precious young lady. She knew Psalm 23. Had she known and walked with Jesus Christ earlier in life only to be led astray by Satan's deadly schemes? How subtle was her path to hopelessness? Reading her note, you can hear her desperation. Ironically in the midst of her confusion, she sees clearly. She knows she has been in a battle- one that she cannot possibly win on her own.

Satan knows he cannot contend with God directly, but he can hurt God's heart by contending with God's children. Scripture says the blood of Jesus Christ and the words of our testimony will overcome Satan (Revelation 12:11). Therefore, Satan's goal is to steal, kill and destroy- to discourage the children of God as to destroy their testimony. We are in a spiritual battle and it is imperative we follow the battle plan. Be strong in the Lord, know our enemy and prepare to put on the full armor of God.

Lord, give me wisdom to spot Satan's schemes in my life and those around me. You are my Strength and when he begins to mess with me, rise up and defend me. I depend on You so that I can stand firm.

Jocelyn Hamsher