Don’t Let the devil Fool You

I believe this is true that the older you get, the wiser you get. The longer you walk this earth, day by day making decisions, sometimes the same decisions, seeing results you begin to wise up to how your decisions affect your life. Hopefully you learn from your decisions, good or bad, and begin making changes.

One thing I’ve realized and put into practice is to recognize the things, words or actions of myself or others that set me off, that make me angry…when I look back, the things I wonder why I let them bother me as much as they did. When I begin to recognize areas that satan likes to attack me, I’m more aware and able to fight back and be victorious.

satan likes to trick you. he’s been studying humans for thousands of years. he has his little bag of tricks that he knows will work for you. The key is to identify what these tricks are, be able to recognize them and fight with the only offensive weapon you have- the Bible. But wait- satan knows how to use the Bible too, and he will try to use it to trick us. Don’t think he will? he tried to trick Jesus with Scripture, so certainly he will try to trick us.

First, satan challenges who Jesus is, verse 3,”if You are the Son of God”. satan will try to confuse you about who you are. You are worthless, you are a nobody, no one cares about you, you’re a screw up. Fight back with Scripture…I am fearfully and wonderfully made-Psalm 139, I am a child of God-John 1:12, I have a purpose-Jeremiah 29:11. Memorize verses to be able to fight back when your identity in Christ has been attacked.

Then satan will try to confuse/trick you with Scripture. It’s hard to believe, satan knows the Bible. he used it to try to trick Jesus. Read it for yourself in Matthew 4:1-11. Jesus had been fasting 40 days, he was hungry, in a weak vulnerable place (isn’t that where satan will try to attack?). satan used Scripture , he says in verse 6, “It is written”, then goes on to quote Scripture. he was trying to use Scripture to tempt Jesus to fulfill a physical need. Isn’t it true when we want something, there are all kinds of verses we can use twist to get what we want. This is a good example “May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” (Psalm 20:4 NIV84) God must want me to have everything I want & He’ll help me get it. Right? But no, this is using Scripture for selfish gain. Follow Jesus’ example, He fought right back with Scripture. Know your Bible, be able to fight back.

Lastly, satan tempted Jesus with greed & selfish gain. Verse 8-9- I will give you all these kingdoms and all their splendor….if…you will bow down to me. What is satan tempting you with…but to get it you have to disobey God. Are you worshipping your boss to climb the ladder at work, are you worshipping your friends to fit in?

Recognize the ways satan tries to trick you. Be self‑controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8 NIV84). Know your Bible, know the heart of God and use that to fight back.

I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11 NIV84)