UNDERSTANDING SATANIC STRATEGIES; CAC LIVING WATER
Read: ‘1 Peter 5:6-11
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Casting all your care upon him; for he care for you.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walk about, seeking whom he may devour:
Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.’
MEMORISE: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).
EXPOSITION
Nobody succeeds in a battle by manufacturing his/her weapons of warfare on the battlefield. Confronting one’s enemy without adequate preparation spells doom and total defeat from the camp of the enemy. In our textual source today, the Bible says, Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour (NLT); Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping (TMB); Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour (AMP).
Christians should not be ignorant of how Satan operates, launching out his strategies, tactics and tools of Projection, Manipulation and Manifestation. Satan is a smart programmer who employs these three stages of operation. Projection is the first stage in which he foresees his prey and strategizes how he intends to strike.
Manipulation is the intermediate stage where he cleverly manoeuvres his projected target to achieve his aim. At the manifestation stage, the final stage, he works hard towards the actualization of his plan.
If we don’t want to unwittingly give Satan an opening for yet more mischief, we must not be oblivious to his sly ways! (2 Cor. 2:11 TMB) Christians should brace up and guard against his wiles and devices, through ceaseless biblical praying, holy living, and constant application of the Word of God, as we correctly put on the whole armour of God (Eph. 6:10). A wise saying goes, “The enemy you are aware of his plans and strategies can hardly kill you, because you would have been fully prepared to wade him off.” Put the devil to flight by the power of He (the Omniscient Christ) who knows his sly and how to finish him!
SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY: CAC GHB 428
1. Thy kingdom come, O God,
Thy rule, O Christ, begin:
Break with Thine iron rod
The tyrannies of sin.
2. Where is Thy reign of peace,
And purity, and love?
When shall all hatred cease,
As in the realms above?
3. When comes the promised time
That war shall be no more
Oppression, lust, and crime
Shall flee Thy face before?
4. We pray Thee, Lord, arise,
And come in Thy great might;
Revive our longing eyes,
Which languish for Thy sight.
5. Men scorn Thy sacred name
And wolves devour Thy fold;
By many deeds of shame
We learn that love grows cold.
6. O’er heathen lands afar
Thick darkness brood yet;
Arise, O morning Star,
Arise, and never set.
Amen.
CONTENT CREDIT | CAC LIVING WATER (2022 Edition)
PICTURE CREDIT | YouTube – iBelieve – Spiritual Warfare: Understanding Satan’s Strategies – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKIn0HBeNGA
