we lose sight of the true battle. Satan’s strategy is cunning, often invisible. It’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment of an attack—but once recognized, we must counter his move swiftly. The truth is, Satan probably knows us (especially our weak - nesses) better than we know ourselves. He’s been studying humanity since Adam took his first breath and he has been successfully attacking humanity ever since. In Ephesians 6:10–13, the Apostle Paul out- lines the scope of the Christian struggle: Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. God’s word of truth is Christian’s only offensive weapon This gives us a clear picture: we are not fighting human enemies. We are engaged with dark spiritual forces–spiritual hosts with great power! And Satan knows our weaknesses. While we might easily avoid the obvious evil, Satan often disguises darkness as light. His attacks often come through things that appear good, feel right or seem justi - fied. He manipulates, twists and deceives. As Ephesians says, we must “stand against
the ‘wiles’ of the devil.” According to the Oxford dictionary, the word “wiles” means “devious or cunning stratagems employed in manipulating or persuading someone to do what one wants.” From the Garden of Eden onward, Satan has employed a strategy of deception to bend humanity to his will. He never rests. We must learn to recognize his traps—and become ever vigilant to avoid them. OUR ULTIMATE EXAMPLE Matthew 4:1–11 offers a powerful example of how to engage in spiritual warfare: Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry... Here, Jesus faced Satan after 40 days of fasting. He was physically weak but spiritu - ally strong. Each of Satan’s temptations was met with Scripture. When tempted to turn stones to bread, Jesus replied, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” When enticed to test God’s protection, Jesus answered, “You shall not tempt the Lord your God.” When offered the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worship, Jesus declared,“Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” This was one of the most important spiritual battles in history. Jesus was victorious—not by physical strength, but by wielding the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Christ knew his enemy well and exactly how to defeat him. God’s word of truth is Chris- tian’s only offensive weapon in the armor of God. Jesus recognized Satan’s tactics and countered each deception with truth. Every- one God has called and chosen must also
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