“lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.” – 2 Corinthians 2:11 (NKJV)
Have you ever played with a toy gun and felt completely relaxed, knowing it couldn’t harm you? That calm assurance comes from knowing exactly what the toy is capable of. In the same way, as a believer, your knowledge of the enemy shapes how you respond to him.
John understood this truth when he declared, “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Our understanding of the enemy should not be derived from narratives depicted in movies or from our personal experiences, as both can be misleading. Experiences can be misinterpreted, but the word of God remains the final authority (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
From scriptures, we see that we are victorious in Christ, and the enemy is already defeated (1 John 5:4; Hebrews 2:14). If you know these two realities, then you should see the enemy differently. The Bible says that when we resist the devil, strong in our faith, his only response would be to flee (James 4:7).
Repeatedly in the scriptures, we see how God thwarts the enemy’s plans. Joseph’s slavery, though intended for evil, became God’s pathway to the palace, preserving the lineage of the Messiah (Genesis 50:20). The crucifixion of Jesus, instigated by the enemy, was in fact his own undoing (1 Corinthians 2:8). The truth is clear; the devil is a defeated and disgraced foe (Colossians 2:15).
What do you think of the enemy? He is neither as bright nor as powerful as we think. Some people think the enemy knows everything and is everywhere, but from his antecedents in God’s Word, we know this is not true. The wise men who came to Herod were warned in a dream not to reveal where Jesus was born to Him, and that was how the enemy missed the chance to kill Jesus as a baby (Matthew 2:12).
As a Christian, one of the things you must know about the devil is that he works with the information available to him. Therefore, we should learn to know what to reveal to the public and what to keep close to our hearts until the appointed time. In the Old Testament, we see the plan of God for the salvation of mankind was laid as prophecies, but the devil was not aware until it was too late .
“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” (1 Corinthians 2:8 NKJV)
Dear Child of God, irrespective of your experiences, the devil is still defeated! You have the victory in Christ already! You are seated with him in heavenly places far above principalities and powers, and you can laugh at the enemy and his agents. And having done all, be reminded that all things work together for your good.
Bible Reading Plan: Proverbs 3-4, Romans 3:1-31