Satan's Tactics

"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles (methodeia - method) of the devil." (Ephesians 6: 11)

The "methodia" of Satan means his "cunning arts, deceit, craft, trickery."

"Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." (II Corinthians 2: 11)

"Devices" is from the Greek work "noēma" and is defined by Strong as follows:

1) a mental perception, thought
2) an evil purpose
3) that which thinks, the mind, thoughts or purposes

We Christians, though having the "mind of Christ" (I Corinthians 2; 16), yet understand the "mind of Satan." He is the "master-mind" behind all the organized wickedness in the world. Good soldiers know their enemy well, and Christians know their enemy and the tactics he employs in his warfare against God and the Christian.

Paul admonished further - "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (verse 12)

Satan is the "ruler of this evil age." He is the "god" of "this world" (II Corinthians 4: 4). He said to Christ, in regard to the rule over the kingdoms of men - "all these will I give to you if you fall down and worship me" (Matthew 4: 8,9) In some respect, he did have these in possession, and still does (though under the suffrage of Christ).

"And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him." (Mark 1: 23)

"Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ. And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them." (Luke 4: 40-42)

"Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." (James 2: 19)

These three passages show that even demons know that there is only one God, and that his will is the determiner of all destiny. They also know that Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah, Lord of Heaven and Earth. This does not mean that the demons believe and are glad of it, or that they willingly submit to God and Christ.

Why did Christ not suffer the demons to announce the gospel? Before that question is addressed, this passage should also be read.

"And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour." (Acts 16: 16-18)

Demons know the truth about God and Christ, and sometimes even announce it. Yet, it is not generally good for it to be published by demons. Jesus therefore refused to allow the demons to testify of him. So too Paul would not suffer the possessed damsel to continue following him around and vainly repeating the same words. Yes, the precise words she was saying were the truth of God. But, she was being tactical. She may be speaking sacastically. Her tactic may have been to draw attention to herself, leaving the impression that Paul and ministers of the gospel owed their work and ministry to her and her demon. She and the demon may also have the intent of a wolf, who follows the flock around so that he may devour. She was certainly involved in making money from her religious shenanigans. She probably sold religious charms and idols.

It is true, as Paul said - "...no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost." (I Corinthians 12: 3)

But, these demons, though acknowledging the lordship of Christ, do not own it or willingly submit to it. No one can say, with conviction and joy, that Jesus is Lord, except he be made to do so by the Holy Spirit. In most cases it will be the evidence that the Spirit of the Living God dwells in you.

Friend, is your "faith" the faith of demons, or the faith of the Christian?