Are you ignorant of his wiles? There is Satan with thousands of fallen demons at his beck and call, doing his bidding, hovering around us, putting thoughts into our heads and temptations. But it is all in accordance with a strategy. If we were involved in a military action, well, the generals who direct us have to be concerned about many things – How will the enemy attack? Will they come by air or by land or by sea? Will there be a bombardment followed by tanks and infantry? Can we predict how they will act, how we must be ready and defend? Will they attack a flank, will they come by day, by night? What is the composition of their troops, their numbers, their strength? You have got to know all this to frame an intelligent and effective reaction or defence.
Do you know Satan’s strategies and wiles? Number one – Satan plans to tempt you back, to allure you back to some of the things that were attractive to you before you were converted. Do you watch for that? Before I was saved, my prevailing sin was such-and-such. I am going to watch particularly closely that that is not brought back. Number two – Satan will strike through times of fatigue or sickness. You are unwell and your strength ebbs away and you are drained for a time, you are really under the weather. Do not be surprised, it is also a time of special temptation. Number three – his strategy is to particularly undermine your patience on things that you have desired or longed for for a long time. Number four – he wants to take you away from your commitment to Christ, your spiritual service priorities, your devotion to the Lord. Maybe he will do it by flattery. The flatteries of the world to take you off course. Number five – gossip. The great strategy of the devil, to make you a gossip or to make you a thirsty listener to gossip. Number six – an unforgiving spirit. I have been offended and I will not forget it. Number seven – the free-wheeling temperament. Do whatever appeals to you without prayer, without question. Number eight – focus on self. For some people appearances, well-being, what people think of us, aches and pains, difficulties, hardships, when we should be thinking of others and what we can be doing for others and for the Lord. Number nine – neglect of devotions, and hearing, hearing the Word of God. That is why the Lord has ordained preaching. We need the constant encouragement and challenge of hearing God’s Word from outside ourselves. Number ten – unclean things. Viewing of forbidden images which makes you an instant hypocrite and fouls and stains your very soul. Flee these things, says the apostle.