The Tactics of the Enemy
The Bible says, "we are not ignorant of his devices." This verse speaks about the tactics of the devil. We are not ignorant of his schemes and tactics. What are his tactics? How does the enemy try to defeat you. I know the devil loves to use the D's against us. What are the D's? They are doubt, deception, discouragement, and distraction. What do you think are some of his tactics? Pastor Tim
Distraction
The devil loves to use distraction in my life. Whenever I feel like I am gaining momentum with work or my relationship with God...the devil loves to convince me that my efforts were all in vain and nothing was gained. God always reminds me that He is working in my life at all times, and the devil reminds me that God is never working in my life. It's a battle we all face and we all must overcome.
It sounds like the devil is
It sounds like the devil is sowing doubt and discouragement in your mind. I find that is definitely a tactic of the devil. So, how do you defeat him? Do you rebuke the thoughts? Do you pray to God? Do you quote scripture?
his names
I think the names given the devil reveal many of his tactics.
devil=slanderer The devil will accuse or slander you before God
satan=adversary The devil will oppose your progress in God
serpent=subtil The devil will twist, distort, and deceive you.
thief=robber The devil will rob you of joy, peace, and love.
Can you think of other names or titles given to the devil that reveal his tactics and devices against you?
Names
I'm thinking of these names:
The father of lies (jn. 8:44)...the devil is great at feeding lies to our minds.
Roaring lion (1 pet. 5:8)...the devil is actively looking to attack and destroy the people of God.
The enemy (matt. 13:39)...every step forward in God means facing an opposition from the devil.
how to resist the devil
I think first I need to recognize it is the devil before I can resist him. How does what I'm thinking make me feel, am I down, discouraged, overcome by thinking these thoughts or am I strengthened, an overcomer, and ready to move forward in the Lord. Once I realize it's not God I can then resist him. It's important that I stop thinking the thought as soon as it comes into my mind. Then I replace it with other thoughts, like God's word, His promises or things He's spoken to me.... so it's sort of like a 3 R process when I think about it... recognize, resist, replace :)
Doubt
The enemy tries to attack me with doubt. God has revealed some aspects of His plan for my life through the Holy Spirit. But, I notice how the enemy will try to subtly move in and plant seeds of doubt. He'll present questions like, "He didn't really mean THAT did He?" or "You are just twisting it to fit your desires." or "Do you really think that God is that concerned with YOU?" But I thank God that I have a covenant with Him and that He is faithful who has promised. So, when the devil tries to deceive me with lies, I fight him with the word!
3 R Process
Hey Jamie,
I like the 3 R process of recognize, resist, and replace. The devil loves to accuse you before God, and he also loves to accuse God to you. The devil loves to slander God in the thoughts of every Christian. Anonymous talks about the seeds of doubt the devil will sow into your heart. Doubt can only be resisted with faith in God's Word. Blessings, Pastor Tim
The Tactics of the Enemy
One tactic that I see the devil use is to trick me to get my focus moved to a problem, and off of God. Sometimes it is difficult to find something to be grateful for, but if I keep trying, the easier it gets. Jamie's 3 R process is just what I need to use!