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The Plots & Plans
Of Your Enemy
The Scriptures warn us not to be "ignorant of Satan's devices"(2 Corinthians 2:11).
In The Psalms, David indirectly outlines ten plots & plans of our adversary.
What exactly are these schemes that our enemy has devised against the believer in Christ?
Let's prayerfully study them and then ask the Holy Spirit to equip and instruct us today so that we no longer will be "ignorant" but "circumspect" - never again taken "advantage of"(2 Corinthians 2:11) by the devious designs of the evil one.
Each plot and plan given below is in the first person as if Satan himself is speaking.
1. I Have Overpowered Him
Psalm 13:4 - "Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him..."
I have triumphed over the Christian. I have been too hard for him and his God.
2. I Am Gratified At His Fall
Psalm 13:4 - "...and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved."
My pride is gratified to see a believer in Christ moved from his steadfastness and firmness. I shout with the voice of triumph to see him overcome by my power of suggestion.
3. I Have Put Him To Shame
Psalm 25:2 - "O my God, I trust in Thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me."
He trusted in his God to come through for him, but where - I ask - is his God now?
He is not able to maintain the Good Fight of Faith nor has he been faithful to his one and only trust - the Lord Jesus. I have brought him to confusion and planted unrest in his soul.
4. I Have Taunted Him & Spoken Evil Of Him
Psalm 35:19 - "Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me..."
I have spread lies and false reports about him even though he has done no wrong nor given any occasion to wrongdoing or offense.
5. I Have Gotten Even With Him
Psalm 35:19 - "Let not them that are mine enemies...wink with the eye..."
I despise this one who hungers and thirsts after righteousness and has made God's law the rule of his life. I "wink with the eye" as though I am in his favor - when all along I am filled with malice and mischief-making - plotting and planning his utter ruin.
6. I Have Hated Him For No Reason At All
Psalm 35:19 - "Let not them that are mine enemies...hate me without a cause."
Even though he should be loved and honored, I work continuously to twist men's minds and affections against him - so as to reject him on every front.
7. Things Will Go My Way
Psalm 35:25 - "Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it..."
I want my way and will go to any extent to see that it is fulfilled. I will deceive the people into thinking that God Himself is on my side...that he is permitting me to triumph...that I am right in this matter...that the circumstances are all decided in my favor.
8. I Will Utterly Destroy Him
Psalm 35:25 - "...let them not say, We have swallowed him up."
I will "gulp down" the saint of God...I will utterly and entirely destroy him. There will be no chance of restoration or redemption when I am through with him.
9. I Will Cause Him To Fall Into Sin
Psalm 38:16 - "...lest otherwise they should rejoice over me; when my foot slippeth..."
I know exactly how to cause him to deviate from the path of virtue, holiness, and righteousness. I will tempt him to let down his guard...loosen and lighten up on his godly convictions and principles...get him to compromise and yield more and more to the flesh...and then I will have him.
10. I Will Cause Him To Fall Again & Again
Psalm 38:16 - "...they magnify themselves against me."
Not once, but numerous times will he yield to me until his heart is so hardened and his sin becomes a regular habit. I will convince him that his sin is "no big deal." The more he yields to my power of suggestion, the more place I will have in his life. And then - before long - he will be mine. I will be his Master.
Knowing this about your enemy, how do you counteract these assignments from one who is out to destroy you?
David prayed unto the One Who was his Lord and God - Jesus Christ.
He looked unto Him Who alone is, was, and always will be far greater than the devil and all of his cohorts and is able to outwit his manifold devices and schemes.
In Psalm 13:3, he prayed - "Consider and hear me, O LORD my God..."
In Psalm 25:1-5, he prayed - "UNTO Thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in Thee...Shew me Thy ways, O LORD; teach me Thy paths. Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me: for Thou art the God of my salvation; on Thee do I wait all the day."
In Psalm 35:1 and 24, he prayed - "Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me...Judge me, O LORD, my God, according to Thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me."
In Psalm 38:9, 15, 18, and 22, he prayed - "Lord, all my desire is before Thee...For in Thee, O LORD, do I hope: Thou wilt hear, O LORD my God...For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin...O LORD my salvation."
Notice the emphasis - in each of David's prayers - on petitioning God as his Lord.
This is crucial in dealing with Satan.
The devil is never threatened by a human being per se, but he is definitely terrorized and intimidated by one who has made Jesus the Lord of his life and is living above sin in thought, word, and deed. When such a one petitions the Master of all Creation - the Lord Jesus - on his behalf - then all Hell trembles at the thought of such a call.
In closing, we quote from Charles Spurgeon(The Treasury Of David, pg. 77) in saying - "...It is not the Lord's will that the great enemy of our souls should overcome His children. This would dishonor God and cause the evil one to boast..."
You know the strategies of the enemy as depicted by David in a few selective Psalms.
You know that the only way to overcome the assignments set against you, your family, business, ministry, church, etc. is to make and keep Jesus as the Lord of every kingdom of your heart.
You do not have to be Satan's victim; you can be the Victor in every battle.
That is God's will for your life.
Your one and only confidence must be Jesus.
Any pride in your heart will only give the devil the upper hand in the fight.
What plot or plan of the enemy are you facing at this time?
Who's going to win in this battle - you or him?
You cannot say that you have not been forewarned.
May God Bless His Word.
Connie
| © COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved
