Satan often seeks to strike us from a hidden position. Sometimes he uses concealed methods, but other times he harasses us openly and does his best to ambush us. We can only be victorious through Jesus Christ and depend upon His grace and strength to stand strong.
The devil can ambush us through deception while targeting our moments of physical or emotional weaknesses. He loves making us doubtful. Research shows me that Satan’s surprise attacks often come in three main ways:
1) Striking us when we are tired, or facing a crisis, much like the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness where He was more vulnerable. (What makes us vulnerable in our spiritual lives? Pride can cause us to depend upon ourselves and to be proud of our achievements which can become a stumbling block in our spiritual progress.)
2) Presenting wrong choices or selfishness as something good, normal, or harmless – masquerading as an ”angel of light” like he did when he tempted Adam and Eve in the beginning of time. (Easy choices are not always the best choices. Professor of Theology S. H. Ringe once said “… most of us are slow to choose the path of discipline.” Sometimes we too need to be tested, often by being led to places of hunger and despair. What do you, and I, truly hunger for?)
3) Planting negative thoughts, fear, or a sense of failure right after a period of spiritual strength or a major personal victory. This is a major challenge in our lives.
John 14:26 states – “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.” Without the guidance of the Holy Spirit to prompt us of what Jesus taught us; we can easily be deceived by Satan. Billy Graham once said – “If our eyes could see, we would probably see the air filled with demons who are the enemies of Christ”.
We are victorious only with God’s help. Jesus told us that we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). We are the light of the world because of His light that is in us (John 8:12). Satan hates the light or the truth of Christ which is why he focuses so strongly on ambushing Christians. Our High priest Jesus sympathizes with us because He was tempted in every way just as we are ourselves” (Hebrews 4:15 NIV), therefore we can depend upon Him and cry out to Him when Satan strikes us.
Satan wants to sift us like wheat (Luke 22:31). Remember what Peter said? Peter told Jesus that He would never deny Jesus and then soon afterwards, Peter denied Jesus three times (Luke22:34). Later, Peter was ashamed of himself. Jesus knew where, how and when Peter was going to get ambushed by Satan and Jesus also knows when, where and how Satan plans to sift us and trap us. Jesus prayed for Simon Peter that his faith would not fail. Our Lord also intercedes for us for the same reason.
We continually need Christ’s help because Satan will continue to tempt us every chance he gets. “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” (I John 2:16). It is also in these same three areas — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life that we are as James 1:14 says “tempted by our own evil desire and dragged away and enticed.”
HOW can we prevent being ambushed by the enemy? 1 Peter 5:8–9 says – “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” Be extra careful when you are stressed and go through times of difficulties.
Satan is very good at attacking us with pleasures as often as with sufferings. In 1 Peter 1:6–7 Peter wrote – “Now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith — more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire — may be found to result in praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Precious Saviour, my Redeemer and Lord, thank You that I can come to you when the enemy tries to ambush, entice and harm me. Thank You that You are as close to me as breathing. Help me to stand firm when Satan attacks me and when various trials and sufferings burden, hinder or trouble me. Thank You that YOU are my strength when I am weak. You are my shelter from the storm and my hiding place in times of temptations and hardships. I love You, Oh Lord my Refuge and song. Amen
Myrtle Turunen