Spiritual Warfare: How to Defend Yourself Against Satan’s Tactics

Under spiritual attack—what can you do? Let’s identify 3 of Satan’s tactics in spiritual warfare since the Garden of Eden, then follow Jesus’ example to resist the devil successfully. Hint: “Man shall not live by bread alone.” Learn how you can be on guard against Satan’s clever deceptions. Watch next    • DON'T Follow Your Heart! — What the Bible ...   Browse our full library of resources at https://www.tomorrowsworld.org Learn more about our church, the Living Church of God, at https://www.lcg.org View our full sermon library ‪@mylcgtv‬ 00:00 Spiritual Weapons the Devil Attacks Us With 01:04 Deception: Satan Is the Father of Lies | Genesis 3 01:54 Lust of the Flesh, Lust of the Eyes, and Pride of Life 02:35 How Satan Attacks 03:10 Satan Uses Lust of the Flesh Against Physical Weakness 04:04 Lust of the Eyes Preys on Selfish Ambition 04:38 Satan Twists Scripture to Attack Pride 05:32 Our Only Spiritual Weapon Is the Word of God 06:36 Follow Jesus’ Example: Study the Bible (Live It) #spiritualwarfare #followjesus #resistthedevil Satan deceives the entire world (Revelation 12 9), like a roaring lion, searching for someone to devour (1 Peter 5 8). 1 John 2 16 shows Satan's 3 main targets from the beginning.. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. Genesis 3 1 Satan said to Eve, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” Eve said. “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die’” (Genesis 3 2–3). Satan says, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3 4–5). This first recorded lie sets the pattern. When the woman saw that the tree was good for food (Genesis 3 6). Lust of the flesh, appealing to physical desire. It was pleasant to the eyes (Genesis 3 6). The lust of the eyes—attractive, desired. A tree desirable to make one wise (Genesis 3 6). The pride of life: a pull to elevate oneself. At once, Satan targets all 3, a strategy that works and he still uses today. Satan doesn’t rely on force. He relies on deception. Watch him use these same weapons against Jesus Christ Himself. 1. Lust of the flesh He had fasted forty days and forty nights… He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread” (Matthew 4 1–3). Satan waited until Jesus was physically weakened. He looks for moments when we feel lacking, when something feels like a need. And then he pressures us to satisfy it the wrong way. But Jesus instructs, “Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’… For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6 31–33). Satan tries to weaponize our needs. God teaches us to trust Him with them. 2. The lust of the eyes Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory…. “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me” (Matthew 4 8–9). This is the pull of what we can see. But Jesus taught that true greatness doesn’t come from taking power. It comes from serving (Matthew 20 26–28). 3. The pride of life The devil took Him up into the holy city. “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down”(Matthew 4 5–6). Satan even quoted Scripture—twisting and misapplying it, using truth to promote error. The Bible warns that Satan appears as an angel of light and has ministers who present a counterfeit Christianity (2 Corinthians 11 14–15). How do we combat Satan’s tactics? We use the same weapon Jesus Christ used—the word of God. When Satan tempted Him through hunger, Jesus answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’” (Matthew 4 4). To Satan offering power, Jesus responded: “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve’” (Matthew 4:10). Satan twisted Scripture and Jesus answered: “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God’” (Matthew 4:7). In every case Jesus answered Satan with the word of God. That was His defense. And it must be ours. To stand against Satan’s tactics, we can’t rely on feelings, assumptions, what seems right in the moment. We need truth. Take time to study God’s word daily. “Man shall not live by bread alone” (Matthew 4:4). Jesus prayed to the Father: “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17 17). God’s word sets us apart, shapes how we think, how we choose, how we live. Truly living by it is living by faith (Habakkuk 2 4). That faith has power to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one (Ephesians 6 16).