"Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices" (II Corinthians 2:11).
Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to dealing with the devil. In fact, the more knowledge we have of his tactics, the more we will have the insight to gain the victory over him through the power of the Word of God. The Scripture gives a clear picture of the devices Satan has used to gain an advantage--weapons he still uses today.
Doubt: "Yea, hath God said. . ?" (Genesis 3:1) were his first recorded words. God's Word is our most effective tool against Satan. He would have us distrust it.
Denial: "Ye shall not surely die" (v.4). Satan's lie has always been that there is no penalty for sin.
Provocation: "And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel" (I Chronicles 21:1). He goaded David until, in his pride, he numbered his army, thereby trusting in human forces rather than in God.
Accusation: "Doth Job fear God for nought?" (Job 1:9). Satan is called "the accuser of our brethren, . . . which accused them before our God day and night" (Revelation 12:10). The true believer need not fear, for "we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (I John 2:1). Christ ever lives to plead His blood for us.
Resistance: "And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him" (Zechariah 3:1). The servants of the Lord have always been resisted by Satan. The Bible is very clear as to how to deal with the devil. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith" (I Peter 5:8-9).
"Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11). NPS
