The Schemes of Satan

Ephesians 6:11 (KJV 1900)

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

The word “wiles” in Eph. 6:11 is “methodeia” and refers to Satan’s methods of tempting or ensnaring humanity. Many translations render it as “Schemes” which we understand to be a form of a wicked plan.

There are many “Feel-good” preachers out there proclaiming that “God has a wonderful plan for your life”, but very few preaching the opposite: “The devil has a terrible plan for your life”. Tonight we are going to examine those schemes, that plan Satan has for humanity. We’ll look at two aspects of his plan. First...

Regarding the Unsaved

Satan’s goal for the unsaved is to keep them lost! After all, why should he want to spend eternity in the lake of fire alone?

Matthew 25:41 KJV 1900

41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

To accomplish this goal, he uses several devices toe keep them “blinded”, including:

The World-System

Goal = to get man’s mind off of God and eternity

Get them to focus on the here and now - 1 John 2:15–17 “15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

The world offers “tons” of “alternatives” to God - Hebrews 11:25 “25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;”

Pleasures - sensuality, drugs, entertainment, etc.

Practices - witchcraft is on the rise

Philosophies - atheism, humanism, various religions

He is behind a counterfeit religious system

He has his ministers appear to preach and teach the truth

2 Corinthians 11:3–4 “3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.”

2 Corinthians 11:13–15 “13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”

Using counterfeit gospel he damns men’s souls to hell by making them think they have the truth and are saved

Galatians 1:6–9 “6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”

1 Timothy 1:3–7 “3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. 5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.”

Titus 1:10–11 “10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.”

He goes about trying to prevent those who have heard the truth from believing and being saved.

By taking the Word of God out of a person’s heart by placing doubt in their minds or convincing them to procrastinate - Luke 8:12 “12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.”

He may also bring up other arguments and excuses to a person’s mind about why they shouldn’t believe. Such as:

Sinful testimonies of unfaithful believers - don’t we see a lot of this today?

Keeping them focused on their own sinful past is another tactic

He even uses Scripture, twisting it out of context Acts 16:16–18 “16 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: 17 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. 18 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.”

These are but a sampling of his goals and methods regarding the unsaved, but let’s face it, he doesn’t have to work too hard on them, he already has them!

His plan, schemes, don’t end there though, let’s look at his schemes...

Regarding the Saved

His goal for the saved person is to get them to sin and to destroy their testimony.

His goal(s) are:

To defeat a believer and to prevent them from serving the Lord 1 Thessalonians 3:5 “5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.”

To defeat a church and prevent it from fulfilling God’s work or to destroy it altogether!

Ways Satan attempts to destroy or harm a church:

Immorality - this is the number one way to end a church’s testimony in a community. 1 Cor. 5:1-8.

Lead a person to hold grudges or to nurse an unforgiving attitude. 2 Cor. 2:10-11.

Pride. Pride is a church killer! It causes disunity and dissension. 1 Cor. 1:10-17.

Spiritual immaturity among believers, keeping them from growing in the Lord.

This is one of the greatest sins in our churches today, that we are full of spiritually immature Christians!

Read 1 Cor. 5:6-8, 12-13.

The good news is, God has given us everything we need to know right in His Word! He has even laid out the enemy’s plan for defeating us. We have the advantage! What we choose to do with this advantage is up to us.

Take Away:

There are some things that Satan doesn’t like. He doesn’t like it when...

God’s people are living together in love and unity, enjoying fellowship with God and one another.

When God’s people are doing the Lord’s work selflessly, loving and serving one another.

When a church is winning souls to Christ and is growing - both in number and in their Spiritual walk.

When Christians start growing and being used by the Lord.

When the Lord’s people are faithful and fruitful for the glory of God!

Church, let’s do our part to make Satan as miserable as possible!