Aware of His Devices

Wouldn’t it be nice if the Devil took a vacation? I wish he would take some time off, but he never does. He doesn’t take a month off, a week off, a day off or even an hour off.

In fact, the Bible warns us, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8 NKJV).

Do you find yourself being held captive to a sin that gets you again and again and again, and you wonder whether you will ever get free from it? The answer is yes.

As Christians, we’re in a war—an invisible war, a spiritual battle. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (NLT).

We’re in a very real battle. And as author Victor Hugo pointed out, a good general must penetrate the brain of his enemy. The apostle Paul, referring to Satan, wrote, “We are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Corinthians 2:11 NKJV).

One of the primary ways that Satan attacks us is through accusation. Revelation 12:10 refers to him as “the accuser of our brethren” (NKJV). First, he tempts you, and then he condemns you for giving in to temptation. He will accuse you and use your own sins in a hateful way to destroy you.

We need to learn to know the difference between Satan’s accusations and the Holy Spirit’s conviction. When a Christian sins, and yes, Christians will sin, the Holy Spirit will convict or convince us of our sin.

But it isn’t because He wants to drive us into shame. He wants to bring us back to Jesus.