The Schemes of the Devil
by George Stroh
January 17, 2022
Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:11, 12)
Before Linda and I were born again believers, we were active members of a large, liberal Presbyterian church. As leaders of the church youth group, we decided to arranged a field trip to visit several other different denominational churches, including a Unitarian church. Being naive and unaware of the schemes of the devil, we thought it was good to expose these young people to different religions and doctrines, embracing ecumenicism. Even as an unbeliever I remember being uncomfortable listening to the Unitarian minister teaching our youth group that faith in Jesus was not the only path to heaven.
Satan is a very formidable adversary. He is brilliant, a convincing deceiver who lies with impunity. Apart from the protection of God and the spiritual armor He provides (see Ephesians 6:10-17), we are no match against the schemes of the devil; And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Corinthians 4:3, 4)
Of course Satan's primary goal is to, by any and every deceitful means, keep people away from the truth of God’s word, especially the saving gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The devil uses seemingly good and well meaning people, disguised as apostles of Christ who deny, distort, and discredit the true person and work of Jesus Christ; For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:13, 14)
Thankfully, as Christians, we have nothing to fear from Satan, the demonic forces he rules or his false apostles and teachers. We are to be discerning, resisting the schemes of the devil and refuting his false doctrines. Always trusting and obeying God’s word alone and the leading of the Holy Spirit that indwells us; You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is you than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
Maranatha!