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The biblical Feast of Trumpets begins the fall Holy Day season (Leviticus 23:23-25), foreshadowing the return of Jesus Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords to wage the final stages of the war to replace Satan the devil as the ruler of this world. (To learn more, read "The Fall Festivals: Map to Our Ultimate Future" beginning on page 10, as well as our free study guide God's Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind.)
The outcome of the war has already been determined -- Jesus Christ's victory over Satan securing freedom and deliverance to all who serve God as His people: "Because God's children are human beings -- made of flesh and blood -- the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death" (Hebrews 2:14, New Living Translation).
The Day of Atonement, following shortly after (Leviticus 23:26-32), reminds us of the removal of Satan and the reconciliation of ultimately the whole world. However, even though Christ's war against Satan has already been won, we must still fight our spiritual battles in this life.
And we must remember who our enemy is: "For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits . . ." (Ephesians 6:12, NLT).
It's noted of Satan in 2 Corinthians 2:11 that "we are not ignorant of his devices" -- the methods or means he devises to lead us astray and bring us harm (emphasis added throughout). Yet while not ignorant, we can be forgetful. We'll use some wordplay in English with the letter d to help us recall some of what we're facing when it comes to Satan's tactics.
Even Satan's title devil (from Greek diabolos, meaning slanderer or accuser) begins with the letter d, and he and his cohorts are called demons. Pairing with "vices" or immoral behavior patterns yields "d-vices."
Let's consider some of Satan's d-vices we need to look out for and the strategy we need to avoid them.
Satan is the very father of lies (John 8:44). Revelation 12:9 refers to him as "the great dragon . . . that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world." The New Living Translation more accurately translates the present participle as "deceiving," showing an ongoing danger.
"Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God" (2 Corinthians 4:4, NLT).
The devil is behind the "false christs and false prophets [who] will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect" (Matthew 24:24; compare 2 Corinthians 11:13-15).
Some think the wording here means true Christians cannot be deceived by Satan. But that's not so, or what would be the point of verses warning believers against that? (See Matthew 24:4;1 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 5:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 John 3:7.)
Hebrews 3:13 admonishes us to "exhort one another daily, while it is called 'Today,' lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."
We are still susceptible to deception in many areas of life.
The devil seeks to deploy the strategy of "divide and conquer" by trying to drive a wedge between God and His people, between church members, and especially between members and their pastor or other church leaders (see 1 Corinthians 3:3). Like those swayed by him, this evil being "devises wicked plans" and "sows discord among brethren" (Proverbs 6:18-19).
Satan seeks to discredit leaders by accusation (often false). This began in the Garden of Eden and is still rampant today -- especially in politics.
The first generation of Israel out of Egypt constantly accused Moses and God of being against them (undoubtedly Satanâ€'inspired). Many in the Corinthian congregation distrusted Paul (1 Corinthians 4:3-5).
We must "serve the Lord without distraction" (1 Corinthians 7:35).
Satan wants us to be sidetracked, so he diverts our focus in two directions -- deceptively attractive pleasures and disorienting problems. Satan uses problems to distract us from what God intends for us to focus on and grow in.
Jesus said: "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness [physical and spiritual stupor], and cares of this life, and that Day [of Christ's return] come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
"Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:34-36). The warning to "watch" means to be vigilant, to stay alert: "Be alert at all times" (New Revised Standard Version).
Observing God's Holy Days, as described in the introduction, helps us to remain focused on God's plan for us and all mankind.
Scripture warns against these negative feelings in the face of challenges and persecutions (Deuteronomy 1:21; Hebrews 12:3). They come from focusing on the problem instead of the solution -- on the past rather than the present and future. The solution is to believe and claim God's promises and look forward in hope.
Learn from the past, live in the present and live for the future.
These are Satan's weapons of mass destruction and his ultimate goal for his victims. As we saw in Hebrews 2:14, he has "the power of death," but that power is broken by God through Christ, whose help we must seek.
"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith" (1 Peter 5:8-9, NLT).
"'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you" (James 4:6-8).
Fasting is one of the best ways to resist the devil by humbling ourselves and staying close to God (read our free study guide Tools for Spiritual Growth to learn more). The Day of Atonement, picturing Satan's removal, is observed by fasting (Leviticus 23:27; compare Isaiah 58:3,5).
"A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil . . . Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil" (Ephesians 6:10-11,13, NLT).
A critical piece of that armor is this: "Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one" (verse 16) -- all the temptations and troubles Satan throws at us to destroy us.
"The Greek word translated 'shield' . . . refers to the Roman soldier's large rectangular wooden shield . . . about 4 ft (1.2m) high, covered with leather on the outside. Before a battle in which flaming arrows might be shot at them, the soldiers wet the leather covering with water to extinguish the arrows. The Roman legionaries could close ranks with these shields, the first row holding theirs edge to edge in front, and the rows behind holding the shields above their heads. In this formation they were practically invulnerable to arrows, rocks, and even spears" (New English Translation footnote).
Satan is the Destroyer bent on our ruin (Revelation 9:11, NLT). But our faith will shield us from his fiery darts, and in standing together in faith as God's people the protective umbrella is extended.
It's vital to be wary of Satan's d-vices. And in case you're at the point of succumbing, I have another d-word for you -- don't! Choose instead the d-word God offers to us -- the destiny of eternal life in His Kingdom.
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