What are some schemes of the devil?

Spiritual blindness

The devil’s primary scheme is to blind all of God’s creation to His existence and the truth of His Son Jesus Christ.

“But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).

Temptation

After successfully blinding unbelievers to the truth of God, the devil works to ensure their bondage, physical death, and eternal death and condemnation through the temptation of the (1) the lush of flesh, (2) the lust of the eyes, and (3) the pride of life (1 John 2:16).

Temptation leads to sin, sin leads to physical death, physical death leads to eternal death, condemnation, and separation from God.

Lies and Deception

As believers, the devil can never take our salvation that was bought with the blood of Jesus Christ. However, he can use lies, deception, and temptation to get us to sin against God, so he can: (1) separate us from God, (2) bring negative consequences into our lives, and (3) steal, kill, and destroy the good things God has given us or wants to give us.

Warning

1 Peter 5:8 tells us to be sober (self-control), vigilant (watchful); because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

Resist Him

The wisest thing you can do when temptation comes is flee from it. Don’t take the bait! The sin that the devil wants us to commit always comes wrapped in a package that is desirable, appealing, and enticing. If it didn’t, we wouldn’t take the bait and sin. Remember that the devil masquerades as an angel of light. He is skilled in hiding the hook in the bait until we are caught. Therefore, in the face of temptation, run from the devil to Jesus. He will provide you with a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Abide (remain) in Jesus

Temptation that causes us to sin is only successful when the devil deceives us into believing that we can’t be completely satisfied in Jesus. He will pervert any legitimate desire and need and deceive us into obtaining it in an illegitimate way. Abiding in Jesus enables us to see that every desire and need can be met by and through Jesus (1 John 15:5; Galatians 5:24).

Walk in the Spirit

“I say then: walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). Walking in the Spirit means that you are living your daily Christian life yielded and surrendered to the Holy Spirit in obedience.

Be encouraged! You are loved! ❤️