Satan’s desire has always been that we never meet Jesus, but if we do, he will ensure that even after we meet Him, we never live in the fullness of what God has called us into. And he achieves this primarily through lies and deception.
In Ephesians 6:11, Paul warns us to stand against the wiles (schemes) of the devil. His schemes are rooted in deception. In the Garden of Eden
When Satan spoke to Eve, he said, “You will not surely die.” He told what may appear true. But it was not the truth. Adam and Eve did die, not immediately in the flesh, but spiritually; they were cut off from God.
Satan is called the father of lies for a reason. He twists what is true to make it a lie. He uses what looks right, sounds good, or even seems biblical to mislead, discourage, and derail.
In John 10:10, Jesus reveals that…“The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy.”
Satan seeks to steal what God has given you. Kill what God has birthed in you and destroy the fruit of God’s work in your life.
And he achieves this in many ways. Sometimes he comes through dreams and visions that contradict what you prayed for. He will sometimes instill fear and discouragement with his thoughts, words, and even his actions. He may even give false confirmations, where even believers may unknowingly deliver reports that oppose what God has spoken. Remember what he did to Jesus through Peter? (Matthew 16:22-23)
And what’s his goal? To weaken your faith, so that you abandon the truth and embrace deception. Now, the only way we can withstand the devil’s deception is to be firmly rooted in God’s Word.
In warfare, we must ask ourselves this question: “Whose report will I believe?” If we believe the testimony of men above the testimony of God, we fall into Satan’s trap. But when we believe and hold fast to God’s report (God’s word), no deception can stand against us. Satan will use the principles of life to cause us to be afraid, but glory to God that through Jesus, we are above his schemes.
Would you believe a liar? Then why believe the devil, who is the father of all lies? Even when he appears to be saying what sounds true, you can be sure it’s a lie. Someone once said, When the devil says anything to you about your situation, flip it to the positive side, and you will actually know the real situation.
In Revelation 12, Satan is revealed to have been cast down from Heaven in defeat. The deeper revelation in Colossians 2:15 declares that Christ disarmed principalities and powers. So even though Satan is described as a roaring lion, understand that he only makes noise to frighten the ignorant, but he has no real authority over those who know the Word.
We are seated with Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). Therefore, even when the enemy brings lies through dreams, visions, or fears, we are to stand firm on God’s unchanging Word.
God’s Word has been tested like silver refined seven times. It is the most reliable, sure, and eternal piece of evidence available to all creation. Our feelings may fluctuate, but the Word never changes. The good it said about you yesterday will still read the same today, and as we stand in God’s unchanging truth, we will see Satan’s agenda crushed beneath our feet. Romans 16:20 promises, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.”
So I charge you, Child of God, not to fear the lies of the deceiver, but rather stand firm in God’s Word, reject every contrary report, and enforce Christ’s victory in your life. As you do, Satan’s schemes will be exposed and destroyed, and you will walk in the fullness of God’s calling.
