The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy… John 10:10

Most people have their own view of what being a Christian is. Their view is usually centered on their comfort. They live like Christianity is a playground; while the Bible says it’s a battlefield. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4

The idea of a real devil is not popular today but the Bible confirms his reality and his plan to destroy us. There is no peaceful coexistence! 2 Corinthians 2:11 tells us “This is so that we won’t be taken advantage of by Satan, because we are well aware of his schemes.” His scheme entails three major attacks:

Division Satan wants to divide us as a nation, socially, and spiritually. He gets us to focus on our differences rather than the things we can agree on. Most churches do not split over theological differences but rather over personal conflicts and power struggles. Satan knows if the church ever becomes unified; we would be unstoppable.

Distraction … I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10.10b Satan wants to distract us from our mission; the salvation of people. Not to build a bigger church or be successful!

Discredit Satan know the world is watching our Christian walk. If he can get us to sin; it will discredit our witness and thereby lose our effective in reaching the world for Christ.

Though Satan is powerful; we can defeat him through God’s power. “for he [Christ] who is in you is greater than he [Satan] who is in the world. 1 John 4:4