1 QUOTE

"It doesn't matter who we are. What matters is our plan."

– Bane, Batman's supervillain from The Dark Knight Rises

1 NOTE

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

We see this verse everywhere from t-shirts, to hydro-flasks to bumper stickers. This great promise from God has encouraged innumberable disciples throughout the generations. What a comfort to know God has a whiteboard in heaven with our name and a detailed plan. But as much as Jeremiah 29:11 comforts, Luke 4:13 should cause concern. After Jesus defeats Satan in the wilderness temptations, “the devil depart from him until an opportune time.” The phrase opportune time means the devil is scheming, plotting and planning for a moment where he believes he can defeat Jesus. Yahweh’s whiteboard is full of ‘plans for our welfare, to give us a good and happy future.’ Satan has a whiteboard too. His evil, detailed blueprint is a plan to bring harm and a future full of misery and suffering.

Let us consider the warfare tactics of Satan in the Corinthian church. Satan controls through immoral sexual relations (1 Cor 5:5). Satan enters hearts when sexual needs are not met in marriage (1 Cor 7:5). Satan uses unforgiveness to control church leadership (1 Cor 2:11). Satan bends good teaching to deceive believers (2 Cor 11:14). Satan uses physical illness and disability to sew suspicious doubt (2 Cor 12:7). When we observe this simple list of Paul calling out Satan plans in one church, we understand his playbook. It is a sobering thought that our name is on Satan’s whiteboard, as he prowls around, waiting for the opportune time, to devour.

Followers of Jesus who finish well are aware of Satan’s involvement in our daily lives. 89 times the devil or Satan is mentioned in the New Testament. When we understand his tactical game-planning, we will be more aware and fight for our faith. May we follow Jesus’ model of defeating Satan in the desert, by fighting every Satanic scheme with the sword of the Spirit. I have found Dan Fuller’s list of fighter verses most helpful in my struggles against sin. I have attached the sheet I have used for almost thirty years to fight the good fight of faith. The good and happy future God has planned for you is at stake. 

1 QUESTION

I pray that this week the Holy Spirit gives us keen spiritual awareness of Satan’s tactics in our lives. In what area of your life do you need to fight for you faith?

Until Next Tuesday,

John