I’ll never forget watching The Exorcist. The movie seemed to offer a glimpse into how Satan and demons operate—flickering lights, possessed people foaming at the mouth, and bizarre, unsettling events. While these dramatic portrayals capture some of what Satan and his demons can do, their methods are often more subtle.
Clinton Arnold outlines several ways Satan and his demons can influence us:
- They can plant sinful thoughts or images in our minds (Matthew 4:8–10; Luke 4:5–8).
- They exploit our sinful tendencies, such as anger, and cause them to spiral out of control (Ephesians 4:27).
- They inspire false teachings or ideas that sound reasonable but are dangerous to our spiritual well-being (2 Corinthians 11:3, 15).
- They can afflict us with physical illness or conditions (2 Corinthians 12:7).
- They may send nightmares or demonic manifestations that instill fear (Job 4:13–16; Psalm 91:5).
- They tempt us to lie (Acts 5:3).
- They can even instigate "natural" calamities—like the loss of a loved one, home, or property (Job 1–2).
Understanding these tactics helps us recognize when they are at work in our lives, so we can respond appropriately. But it’s important to note that Satan doesn’t always operate in such dramatic or overt ways. In fact, most of the time, his schemes are much more subtle.
In 2 Corinthians 2:10-11, Paul writes:
"When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes."
This verse reminds us that Satan’s tactics are often subtle. He doesn’t usually use a direct attack; rather, he relies on trickery and deception, just as he did from the very beginning (Genesis 3:1).
Klyne Snodgrass puts it well:
"Evil rarely looks evil until it accomplishes its goal; it gains entrance by appearing attractive, desirable, and perfectly legitimate. It is a baited and camouflaged trap."
Let that sink in: Evil rarely looks evil until it has achieved its goal.
It appears harmless or even appealing at first, luring us in before revealing its true, destructive nature. Satan’s most powerful weapon is simple—he lies. He convinces us that God isn’t good and can’t be trusted.
He tells us that following our sinful desires will bring happiness, even though they only lead to destruction.
He whispers lies that distort how we see ourselves and others, all while hiding the harm they cause.
While we may never experience a dramatic, overt manifestation of Satan, we will all face his deceptive lies. The way to combat these lies is with God’s truth—truth revealed in His Word.
We become equipped to recognize lies when we encounter them by grounding ourselves in God's truth. We need God’s truth to guide us and give us life.
John 8:44 tells us:
"For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies."
Prayer:
Lord, I need Your help to avoid believing Satan’s lies. May Your truth expose the lies for what they truly are. Help me to understand Satan’s schemes and guard my heart with Your Word. Amen.
Reflection:
What are some of the lies Satan has tempted you to believe? Have you seen his subtle tactics at work in your life?
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