Satan's Strategy: Divide and Conquer

The Plight of Sheep

Sheep are pretty helpless creatures. In addition, they're not the sharpest crayons in the box. No wonder the Bible so often refers to people as sheep.



We so desperately need the Good Shepherd--our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ--to protect us from the enemy of our souls, Satan. He will and He does! Our part is to stay alert!



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)



The Plan of Satan

One of the first rules of warfare is understanding the tactics of the enemy, so in this series of blog posts I hope to remind us of some of the tactics the enemy uses against us, the first of which is his strategy to divide and conquer. A wolf or coyote might follow a herd for days just waiting for the prime opportunity to catch a sheep lagging behind or wandering off.



The devil is no different. If he can separate us from the flock, we become easy prey. If he can catch us napping or taking a break he will attack!



The Plea for Unity

As I look around at our nation and churches today, I see evidence of Satan's activity in this area. Hurt feelings, complacency, and downright rebellion on our part become the perfect breeding ground for the enemy to strike. Even if we're in church every time the doors are open, if our hearts harbor division, the devil will use it to wreak havoc.



Unfortunately this isn't a new problem. King David, Jesus, Paul, and others all give credence to the importance of unity.



Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore. ~Psalm 133:1-3 (ESV)



"That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me." ~John 17:21 (ESV)



(Did you catch that? We must be united in order for the world to believe!!!!)



I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. ~1 Corinthians 1:10 (ESV)



Another thing we should watch out for. The enemy would like nothing more than to use us to stir up division among our brothers and sisters. He's done it before and will do it again. Extreme caution is advised when entering this territory!!!



But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. ~Titus 3:9-11 (ESV)



THE GOOD NEWS

Jesus came to save us that we might be united into one body with Him as the Head. As long as we abide in Him, seeking after Him and following Him with all our heart, heeding His Word and striving to live our lives in that light, we can and will have victory over the enemy! Stay alert!!!



Thank You, God, for the work Jesus did on the cross to save us from our sins. Thank You for providing the body of Christ so that we're all flocked together under the careful and loving watch of the Good Shepherd. Please help us to remember to be on the alert against the enemy. Help us to recognize his tactics of evil and to overcome them through You and Your Word. Lord, we especially pray for those of the household of faith who have suffered from the attack of the devil and are living in separation from the body. Heavenly Father, please bring them back into the fold. In the powerful and precious name of Jesus, Amen.