Spiritual Warfare Series — Devotional #8
Lies, Half-Truths & Unreliable Perspectives
This week, we continue answering the following question:
How does God’s enemy come after His people and His leaders for the sole purpose of distracting, disrupting, and derailing them from being involved in God's great mission?
As we survey Pauline literature, we will discover fourteen tactical strategies the enemy uses to attack God’s people—along with specific antidotes for addressing each one. (See the Introduction to this series for an overview of the subject.)
Tactic 8: Lies, Half-Truths & Unreliable Perspectives
Text: Ephesians 6:10–20
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes... [passage continues as quoted]”
Problem:
“Satan uses lies or half-truths to trick believers and give unreliable perspectives on their lives and situations.”
— J. Robert Clinton
Here are some specific strategies Satan employs:
Satan uses a lack of righteousness (ongoing unrighteousness in a believer’s life) as an inroad into their life.
He uses a lack of testimony to weaken a believer’s stand.
He causes believers to doubt God—His character, His dealings, and His truth.
He robs believers of the impact of salvation in their lives.
He keeps believers from using the Word of God to combat his tactics.
He discourages believers from praying in the Spirit as they confront his attacks.
He prevents people from being alert to his schemes and discerning his involvement.
Antidotes:
See the imperatives in Ephesians 6:10–20 (J. Robert Clinton)
Be strong in the Lord (v.10)
Put on the full armor of God (vv.11, 13)
Stand firm (v.14)
Take up the shield of faith (v.16)
Be alert (v.18)
Keep on praying (v.18)
Reflective Questions:
If Satan were to attack your life, what area would he target?
If Satan were to attack your church, what segment would he try to penetrate?
What half-truths has Satan used to attack your church?
What lies has Satan used to attack your church?
What false or unreliable perspectives has Satan used to influence your church?
What unconfessed sin exists—both individually and corporately—in your church?
How are you educating your church and its leadership on the tactics of our enemy?
How is the gospel having a transformative effect on both new and seasoned believers? (Titus 2:11–14)
Prayer:
Father in heaven, help us to be lovers of the truth, to live in the strength of the Lord, and to actively put on the armor of God.
Teach us how to stand firm by daily applying Your truth to our lives, by embracing Your righteousness in our hearts, and by being ready to engage in spiritual conversations at a moment’s notice.
Righteous Father, teach us how to take up the shield of faith, so we are ready to defend against the enemy’s attacks.
Holy Father, teach us to wield Your Word like a sword, defeating the personal assaults of the devil.
Loving Father, just as You have stood with the saints of the past, we trust that You are standing with us now—and for that, we give thanks.
In the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
