As we start this new year, it is very important to understand how satan works. satan is a snake. The reference to snake is an offensive term for somebody who is a betrayer or deceiver of others. His main objective is to turn you away from God. You need to know that he wants to kill you. He is not your friend. Revelation 12:9 states “The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.” He will do anything, use anything, manipulate, deceive, lie and cheat to get you to turn away. Peter found out he will find someone to be a mouthpiece for him and say what he wants said. Matthew 16:23 “Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” satan is constantly trying to outsmart us (2 Corinthians 2:11 -in order that satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes), so we need to be very aware of his scheming. He is always looking for someone who is willing to disobey the word of God just like in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were given a command but they disobeyed.
As we begin this year keep this verse in mind; 1 Peter 5:8 “ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith.” This is the only way to resist his attacks. We wear armour for a reason so we had better learn how to use it. Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes”. You will be defeated if you do not use it. When we do not stand in faith we become an easy target. These are the end times so we need to be ready. The days are filled with deception. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.” We must believe the word of God and resist the evil one. If he tried to tempt Jesus and get Him to turn from God, He will definitely go after you. James 4:7 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”He is out there prowling, so be on your guard.
