Satan’s Devices Are Unexpected

In 2 Corinthians 11:11, Paul refers to Satan getting an advantage of us and that Satan will not have an advantage if we are not ignorant of his devices. The Greek word signifies to have more than belongs to one. The thought is taken from the greedy merchant that tries to take every opportunity to deceive others. Satan is that sly merchant-like being that uses any means possible to devour souls. So many are unaware of the spiritual warfare, not to mention Satanic devices and methods.

Ephesians 6:11 addresses the need to put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. The “wiles” are Satan’s snares that catch us unaware. 2 Timothy 2:26 reads, “And that they might recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” To “recover themselves” is to “awaken” themselves. The idea is taken from someone who is asleep and needs to be awakened or drunk and needs his or her senses restored. One context of this “snare” is in wartime. Satan has taken them alive (“taken captive”), describing soldiers who have been taken captive. Another context that describes the word is a fowler’s net that ensnares a live bird. Satan has snares for the wise, fools, and simple. He has snares for the upright, hypocrite, the generous, the rich, the poor, the aged, and the youth.

Satan has his methods like strategies of war that anticipate our weaknesses, strengths, knowledge of our path, habits, and interests.

Once caught, we typically recognize what just happened. His methods are subtle and sudden as when falling into a pit or being surprised by thieves. Satan circumvents the conventional expected norms. No one expects an individual crouching under a bush at two o’clock in the morning. Similarly, when the Christian falls, it is a surprise and shock