8. He Blinds
When a non-Christian hears the Gospel or a new Christian hears a deeper truth from Scripture, and there seems to be no receptivity at all, it could be because “the god of this age” has blinded the person’s mind (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). This blindness could come in the form of confusion, resistance, justification, rationalization, defensiveness, pride, or other underlying mental, emotional, or spiritual processes.When someone doesn’t understand algebra or trigonometry, we think it is purely an intellectual issue. Not so with spiritual truth. The truth of God has to be spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14). And if a person’s spirit is being clouded by interference from Satan, it will be difficult for that person to embrace truth. With algebra, we repeat the formula enough times until the person understands. With spiritual truth, repetition is not the issue—spiritual openness and discernment is. Satan can be the reason such discernment is missing.
9. He Hinders
Often we use the word “circumstances” to describe the seemingly inevitable delays and obstacles in our daily lives. Too often we fail to discern whether Satan might be the cause of such hindrances. Paul clearly identified Satan as the cause of his failure to make it to Thessalonica to visit the church there (1 Thessalonians 2:18). We don’t know how Satan accomplished such a hindrance, only that he did.We have more detail on how Satan can hinder in a conversation between Jesus and Peter (Matthew 16:21-23)
. After Jesus explained to the disciples that He would soon be killed in Jerusalem, Peter rebuked the Lord for such talk—which earned Peter a rebuke in return: “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” Peter was unwittingly being a hindrance to Jesus in carrying out the will of God for His life. Unbeknownst to Peter, Satan was using him to be a stumbling block to Jesus.
Satan can hinder through people or circumstances.
Scripture reveals that Satan can hinder through people or circumstances. Like illness, not every hindrance should be attributed to Satan directly. But the possibility of a connection should at least be considered.
Satan’s Strategies Are Deceptive
Satan has been unmasked as to his strategies in this world. Twice Paul uses the word “schemes” (NIV) to describe Satan’s activity. The American Heritage Dictionary says a scheme is a “systematic plan of action,” which sounds innocent enough. But then it adds “a secret or devious plan; a plot.” Certainly not all schemes are devious or secret. But in Satan’s case, all are. It is the nature of who he is to operate below the radar.Our Defense Against Satan’s Attacks
Satan has been unmasked as to his strategies! It is as if, through the Bible, we have been handed a playbook for how Satan operates. This explains why the New Testament warns us to “watch and be sober” (1 Thessalonians 5:6), to “live soberly” (Titus 2:12), to “gird up the loins of your mind, be sober” (1 Peter 1:13), and “be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).The picture of a roaring lion could argue against Satan acting in secret. Lions roar to establish their identity and presence. But when it comes to the attack in the Serengeti of Africa, they creep silently through the tall grass or lie patiently in wait for hours, until they are within striking distance of their prey. Lions roar when they’re walking around; but when they attack, it’s always a surprise to the one being pursued.
The believer, therefore, should not think that because Satan is not roaring and drawing attention to himself that he is not there. He has roared throughout history—his presence is not a matter of question. The only question is when, where, and how he will strike next. (That is not an invitation to fear, as will be detailed below. Rather, it is an invitation to watchfulness and preparedness.)
Our Assurance Against Satan’s Attacks
Because we know that Satan will attack in secret and scheming ways, we have no reason not to be prepared. The armor God has provided for the Christian allows the Christian soldier to be as confident, well-defended, and safe as any soldier in any battle could be.This article is an excerpt from Unmasked—Revealing the Truth Behind Satan’s Lies by Dr. David Jeremiah.