One of satan’s strongest weapons is pride.
Pride is always a danger, especially when things are going well, such as in times of peace and prosperity (Deuteronomy 8:11-17).
Another powerful device of Satan is envy—specifically, the kind of envy that is a distorted, selfish sense of fairness. This goes all the way back to Cain’s envy of Abel, when Abel was blessed for his offering. Cain thought it wasn’t fair. God knew the attitude of both Cain and Abel, so in His eyes it was totally fair.
Another tool that satan uses is the lust for forbidden pleasures.
Paul warned about another device of satan: Itching ears. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
There are many other devices Satan uses. For example, satan has been very effective with what have been called the four Ds. The devil’s four Ds are:
- Disappointment. Any time we look to people as our standard, we can be disappointed. But if we trust and have faith in God, we won’t be put to shame.
- Discouragement. When we dwell on disappointments, it often leads to discouragement. But God has given us the Holy Bible, His plan and His promises to encourage us.
- Doubt. Discouragement left unchecked leads to doubt.
- Division. Doubts and worries can lead to division of our loyalties. These can also lead to divisions between people and distancing from God.
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