Are you aware of the devil’s schemes?

“Now the serpent was craftier than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God really say, “You must not eat from any tree in the garden”?’ The woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, “You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.” ‘You will not surely die,’ the serpent said to the woman. ‘For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.”
Genesis 3:1-8

The serpent was very crafty in the way he led Eve into sin. Revelation 12:9 says, “…that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, … leads the whole world astray.” The truth is that Satan is using the same approach in our modern world that the serpent used on Eve, and far too often, we fall for his tricks. However, If we can learn a few valuable lessons from the mistakes of Adam and Eve and be honest with ourselves about the way Satan gets us to disobey God, it will help us to be more aware as we take our stand against the devil’s schemes (Ephesians 6:11).

First, Satan wants us to get confused about God’s standards. What did the serpent do with Eve? He tried to throw her into confusion about what God had clearly stated. How well do we remember what God has told us? If we are not clear, we will get caught up in half-truths and allow Satan to make us confused about God’s standards for our lives. We need to know God’s word accurately and develop deep convictions. Look at the world today. We have one Bible and over five-hundred denominations. People won’t admit it, but they are confused. So many say that they are Christians, but are they really? Are they watching their life and doctrine closely (1 Timothy 4:16)? Is that what we have seen even in our own churches? Satan causes us to get confused about what God’s standards are, and then we begin to lose our conviction.

Second, Satan wants us to doubt God’s motives and intentions. Eve knew what God had commanded. She had conviction despite the serpent’s attempt to confuse her. So what did the serpent do next? He told her that God wasn’t being totally open with her and that God was trying to control her. Why couldn’t she eat from that tree? What was God trying to hide from her? The serpent wanted her to doubt God’s motives and intentions. How does Satan do that to us today? He says, “You don’t have to repent. God will love you anyway.” “Excuses are okay. No one understands what you’re going through.” “You won’t go to hell for your sin because God loves you!” Satan also tries to make us think that God is just trying to control us rather than protect us. Satan wants us to stop trusting God’s motives, and instead, to focus on our own freedom and our own knowledge, rather than God’s guidance for our own good. What are the promises of God that you are tempted to doubt? What are the ways that Satan is trying to make you feel that God is trying to control you, instead of protect you from harm?

Third, Satan wants us to rationalize our sin. The serpent’s questions were the spark that ignited Eve’s interest and fueled the temptation that caused her to disobey. She rationalized her sin because she believed it was beneficial to her desires. She was so deceived that she brought her husband in on it as well. The sad thing about sin is that it leads others astray also. Proverbs 10:17 says “He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.” Our sin has consequences. When we sin, it can tempt others to rationalize their sin. If we miss church, for example, others will be tempted to make excuses and miss meetings of the body as well. When we walk through our day as if God has not called us to be his ambassadors, other Christians are tempted to live selfish, lazy and cowardly lives also. When we rationalize disobedience, it is a terrible example to others. It causes them to question the standards of God because they see “other Christians” doing it. We need to set an example that can be imitated as we imitate the life and heart of Jesus.

Finally, Satan wants us to hide from the only ONE who can help us. What an amazing friend we have in God. God knew they had sinned but he loved them enough to search for them anyway. Instead of getting open with God, Adam and Eve hid from their creator! When we sin, do we get open with God and the godly men and women he has put in our lives, or do we view those in our life who offer discipling and accountability as Adam and Eve viewed God? Do we see our brothers and sisters as loving helpers or spiritual police? How do you view people correcting and instructing you? God wants to use his word and his people to help us. Proverbs 12:1 says, “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.” When we hide from God, we are just being stupid. Satan has succeeded in leading us astray and separating us from the only ONE who can truly help us.

The good news of God is found in 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” My prayer for you today is that you will search for and take the way out that God has provided for you. It is always there. Get into the Scriptures and be sure of God’s standards. Trust God’s motives and intentions. He is not trying to control you, but to save you from so much pain. Stop rationalizing your sin. God has laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed (Psalm 119:4). Get open with God and the people he has put in your life (James 5:16). Finally, come near to God, and he will come near to you (James 4:8). God still loves you and does not want to count your sins against you (2 Corinthians 5:19). This is the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Therefore, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes (Ephesians 6:11).”

Chris Broom
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