Understanding the Enemy

One of the most important tactics of any type of warfare is understanding the enemy and how he operates. And I'm sure it goes without saying, but life is a battle. Not only is it a battle, but it is a battle of epic and supernatural proportions (Ephesians 6:12).



In God's Word the very first encounter with Satan is recorded at the beginning of time in Genesis 3.



Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’” The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings. ~Genesis 3:1-7 (NASB)



The Enemy Is Often in Disguise

...even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. ~2 Corinthians 11:14 (NASB)



Not many willingly give in to Satan, but when he disguises himself, it's often not easy to recognize him. The devil comes wrapped in beautiful and attractive packaging and seems innocent and non-dangerous. Not only is he often incognito, but even masquerades as an angel of light. No wonder Eve didn't run the other way.



The Enemy Spreads Doubt

With four little words, "Did God really say...?," Satan plants a seed of doubt in Eve's mind. His tactics haven't changed much over the course of time. He still tries to make us question our beliefs, our God, and God's commands. In Eve's temptation, the enemy questioned God's goodness, one of his favored modes of attack against believers.



The Enemy Deals in Human Desires

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. ~1 John 2:16 (NASB)



Three problems inherent in humans are the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and pride. These three things get us in a heap of trouble faster than anything else. So it's no wonder that Satan attacks us here. If it's any comfort, he used this tactic on Jesus, too, which proves that although Jesus was fully God, He was also fully man (Matthew 4:1-11). This is exactly the scheme he used with Eve as well, tempting her with eating the fruit (lust of the flesh; compare Matthew 4:3), opened eyes (lust of the eyes; compare Matthew 4:6), and the ability to be like God (pride of life; compare Matthew 4:8-9). (A note on this last part of the equation: This pride and trying to be like God is exactly why Satan was booted out of heaven in the first place. See Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 to learn more about Satan's fall.) Look at Genesis 3:6. There they are again: good for food (lust of the flesh), pleasing to the eye (lust of the eyes), and desirable for gaining wisdom (pride of life).



The Enemy Contradicts God's Commands

The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! For God
knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you
will be like God, knowing good and evil.” ~Genesis 3:4 (NASB)



Satan is an expert at contradicting and misusing God's Word! Once again, he also used this tactic on Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11), but Jesus counteracted the attack each time with truth. If he tempted Jesus in this way, do you think he won't tempt us? That is why it is so crucial to read and study God's Word on a daily basis and commit it to memory. There's a reason the Bible is listed in our spiritual weapons (Ephesians 6:17)! And another thing--don't just assume that someone who looks and talks like the real deal is the real deal. Satan is going to battle Christians on their home turf, and this includes the church. Be discerning (1 John 4:1; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Colossians 2:8; Matthew 10:16).



The Enemy Substitutes His Lie  

You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. ~John 8:44 (NASB)



It only takes a slight twist of the truth to make a lie. In fact, these half-truths sound so believable that it's easy to fall for them. In Satan's temptation of Jesus, he tried to throw Jesus off track. He used the same technique with Eve, and he uses it with us. Watch out for the enemy who stalks us like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).



Hopefully, this post on the enemy's tactics will make us more aware of the battle we face on a daily basis. Once we recognize how he works, we'll be more mindful to hesitate before falling into his trap.



Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. ~Ephesians 6:10-11 (NASB)



Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your Word which gives us what we need to understand the enemy and how to counteract his attack. Give us strength to battle him wisely. Help us to appropriate the weapons You've provided on a daily basis. Especially draw us into Your Word so that we might better know the Truth. Keep us from temptation. Amen.