I want to exhort and lead you to both unveil and deal with the devices of the devil; for the simple reason that your ignorance of these devices gives the devil an advantage over you.
Many of us are not excelling because we are ignorant of Satan’s devices. It is important to note that Satan, our arch-enemy, operates through devices most of the time. Our ignorance of this fact and the devices gives him an advantage.
[2 Corinthians 2:10-11 KJV] “To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”
A few of these devices are:
- Unforgiveness that becomes bitterness or hatred
- Provocation, which breeds carnality and impatience
- Allegations and accusations
- Imaginations and thoughts that become strongholds or obsessions
- Hindrances and distraction
- Manipulations and masquerading
- Oppression and affliction
- Temptations and trials
1. Unforgiveness
We read clearly in our anchor text that unforgiveness which usually breeds bitterness and hatred is one of the key devices of Satan. You should not be ignorant of this device.
This is one thing the devil has used against many generations and people. He sows the seed of bitterness through offenses and unforgiveness. He tries his best to give you reasons why you should not forgive and release the offender. By so doing, he can afflict both the offender and the offended.
2. Provocation
We read in the Scriptures again that Satan stood against Israel and provoked David to number them. He succeeded in killing people in Israel by simply provoking David to disobey God. Be careful when you feel provoked to act or disobey God; most often, Satan is close by.
[1 Chronicle 21:1 KJV] “And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel”.
3. Accusations and allegations
We know that the devil is the accuser. He uses accusations and allegations to smear many of God’s children. Let us be careful not to use accusations and rumour mongering to destroy one another.
[Revelation 12:10 KJV] “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.”
4. Imaginations and thoughts
The Bible tells in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, that our weapons are mighty through God to pull down stronghold and obsessions formed through imaginations and thoughts. These are major devices of the enemy. He uses your imaginations and thought to hold you captive in your strongholds and obsession.
5. Hindrances and distractions
In the Bible, Apostle Paul stated how Satan hindered his journey on more than two occasions. Satan works through institutions and people to hinder you from advancing the course of the kingdom.
[1 Thessalonians 2:18 KJV] “Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.”
6. Manipulation and masquerading
We know that Satan masquerades as an angel of light. He masquerades to hide his true identity. Satan does that to deceive innocent and unsuspecting people.
[2 Corinthians 11:12-15 KJV] “But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.”
“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”
“Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”
7. Oppression and affliction
Satan hides behind imaginations and thoughts to afflict many. Through the gates of thoughts and imaginations, he builds a stronghold and obsessions. He then uses these strongholds and obsessions to control us.
[2 Corinthians 10:3-5 KJV] “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)”
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
8. Temptations and trials
We know that the devil uses allegations, accusations, temptations, and trials to trap many people. He is a beast. He began his temptation of Job by first accusing him to God. The accusation was the opening, and then he began to control him from there.
I pray that your eyes and heart shall be enlightened to escape the traps of darkness. Let us pray that the Lord will make each of us wiser to escape the devil’s traps.
My book, Overcoming the Influence of Darkness in Everyday Life, discusses the subject of dealing with the devil into details.
Stay blessed
Simpe Bediako
Awesome materials. God bless you Sir. I wish you more Grace and more oil to do more of these heavenly stuffs.