Knowing and Overcoming the Devil's Schemes

In order to be effective in spiritual warfare, you must know not only about your spiritual armor and weapons, but also about the schemes or devices of the enemy. Discouragement is a major device the devil uses to try to make Christians give up. To be discouraged is to lose spirit, heart, courage, confidence and resolution, and to experience the sapping effect of fear and doubt and the inability to muster up further hope and determination. In the Old Testament we see that the Nation of Israel was discouraged by:

1.     Speaking the problems instead of the promises of God

Where can we go? Our brothers have made us lose heart. They say, `The people are stronger and taller than we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the sky. We even saw the Anakites there.' (Deuteronomy 1:28)

2.     Experiencing unnecessary and severe hardship

They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!" Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died (Numbers 21:4-6).

3.     Encountering a devastating setback

And Joshua said, "Ah, Sovereign LORD, why did you ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan! O Lord, what can I say, now that Israel has been routed by its enemies? (Joshua 7:7-8)

4.     Feeling overwhelmed by all the rubbish

Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, "The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall." (Nehemiah 4:10).

5.     Believing desires will not be granted

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life (Proverbs 13:12).

The way to overcome discouragement is to remember that Jesus Christ has already given you the victory and to live with the belief firmly implanted in your heart that, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength". No matter how difficult or overwhelming things appear to be, through the strength and courage of Christ, you will overcome. Be strong and of a good courage, you are more than a conqueror! 

Pastor Earl