Do not be deceived by Satan’s “impressive” CV - 12th May 2008

All bible stories were orchestrated by God in order to teach His children about life (although it may not be the only reason). This week we will focus on the enemy’s tactics of deception and how we can expose and subdue him in battle. There is no better place to begin than Isaiah 36 where we read about Sennacherib threatening Jerusalem:.

In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah's reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them.  Then the king of Assyria sent his field commander with a large army from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. When the commander stopped at the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, on the road to the Washerman's Field, Eliakim son of Hilkiah the palace administrator, Shebna the secretary, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder went out to him.

The field commander said to them, "Tell Hezekiah,
       " 'This is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: On what are you basing this confidence of yours?  You say you have strategy and military strength—but you speak only empty words. On whom are you depending, that you rebel against me?  Look now, you are depending on Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff, which pierces a man's hand and wounds him if he leans on it! Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who depend on him.  And if you say to me, "We are depending on the LORD our God"-isn't he the one whose high places and altars Hezekiah removed, saying to Judah and Jerusalem, "You must worship before this altar"? Isaiah 36:1-7 [NIV]

Lessons

• When the enemy attacks he normally brings along an impressive CV and track record. He will probably remind you of how younger and healthier people fell because of cancer, heart problem or any other disease you may be suffering from. He will bring to your attention how other strong believers like you did not see what they were hoping for despite their faith, prayers and trust in God.

   

• He will speak through other people or question your plans in order to destroy your confidence. Does the story of Goliath the Philistine champion who shouted to the ranks of Israel for forty days and how his life ended at the hands of a small boy, ring a bell?

   

• He will instil fear in your heart. If you are a student, he will question your IQ to try and deter you from taking that exam or attaining your desired profession. If experiencing financial difficulties he will undermine your passion and faith to give or help others

   

• His deadliest weapon is to destroy your confidence in God. He will remind you about how bad you are, how much you have sinned and your shortcomings before the Lord. He wants to stop you from approaching and worshipping the Great IAM – the answer to your challenges.

   

Don’t believe any of the above for your enemy, the devil, is the Father and great granddad of all liars!