4 Ways Satan Will Try To Deceive You

Here are four ways Satan will try to deceive you. What ways can you think of?

Has God Really Said?

Satan is more subtle than anyone (Gen 3:1) and wanted Eve to question God’s Word, saying, “Did God really say….” (Gen 3:2)? This is Satan’s tactic. That is why I warn believers to stay away from atheist and agnostic websites. They generally try to get people to doubt or disbelieve the Word of God, and that is one of the greatest weapons he has. If the Devil can get you to doubt God’s Word, then you’ll have a hard time believing it and obeying it. A friend of mine recently asked, “Aren’t there contradictions in the Bible?” I replied to him, “Show me where they are.” Of course, he couldn’t. That may be why Jude wrote, “And have mercy on those who doubt” (Jude 1:22). You cannot separate the God of the Word from the Word of God. Remember that Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44).

Compromising with Sin

This is so easy to do. Some teach and believe that some things are permissible and that it’s not sin to do certain things. This is why Christians should be above reproach, because if they accept things that are clearly sin as being okay, then other Christians will believe it’s okay, too. For example, some believers will to go to see a PG-13 or an R-rated movie, but I refuse. The problem is, if some see that others think it’s okay, then they assume it must not be sin, but we must not judge ourselves by other people’s standards, rather only by God’s Word. Paul wrote that we dare not judge or compare ourselves with one another (2 Cor 10:12) because each of us must test our own works (Gal 6:4).

Feelings of Worthlessness or Guilt

It seems that every week I hear from someone who has feelings of worthlessness or is burdened down with guilt. They feel condemned by God and that they are hopelessly lost and don’t feel saved, but that is a lie from the Devil or one of his demons. The difference between conviction of sin and condemnation is huge. When we sin, it should convict us, make us run to the cross, and ask for God’s forgiveness, not feel hopelessly lost and give up because we feel we’re doomed. Satan wants you to think, “You’re not really a Christian; who are you fooling! God couldn’t possibly save you.” In contrast, the Holy Spirit makes you think this: “God, I have sinned. Please forgive me, as I know you promise to cleanse me from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).” Don’t despair. God’s love never fails. He never gives up on you. Don’t believe the Deceiver.

Your Trials are God’s Punishment

When you get sick, have troubles in your relationship, lose your job, or when any other trial or affliction hits you, Satan wants you to think that God is punishing you for being a “bad person.” Yes, God does correct every child He loves (Heb 12:6), but so did our earthly parents, and they did it out of love. If God allows trials to hit us, it is in our best interest: to humble us, to make us seek Him more, to make us pray more, or just to refine us to be more like His Son. God doesn’t send us into times of suffering just because “you’re a bad person, so I’m going to punish you.” That’s what the enemy wants you to believe.

Conclusion

Don’t ever rely on trusting your feelings more than the Word of God, because our feelings or emotions are very untrustworthy and highly subjective. God’s Word is always true and is objective truth, so when you have doubts, get into the Word of God, for faith comes by hearing (Rom 10:17) and also by reading the Word of God. There you will find the truth that will expose the father of lies.