As a math teacher, I find my students are most successful when they are able to recognize patterns. If information is presented in a slightly different manner, yet they recognize as it a known topic, then they are more likely to get an A.

I find this to be true with Christians as well. If we can identify the patterns of the enemy, we are more likely to be successful in spiritual warfare. The bible cautions us not to be unaware of his schemes. It’s not that I want to give him anymore attention, but I want to be careful I am not partnering with him. So here are a few of his tricks:

1. Isolation – he will try to stop you from fellowshipping with the Body of Christ. Thoughts like you are unimportant, no one will miss you, You are too busy are all lies from the enemy.

2. Offense – someone said the other day, “Americans are the most offendable people in the world.” That is the work of the enemy. The enemy wants you to see people as the problem. He wants you to be offended with others so you will build walls so that he can isolate you.

3. Fear. Especially fear disguised as wisdom.

4. Accusations – he is the accuser of the brethren. When we we accuse others, we are doing his job. He will also use others to accuse you. He wants you to stop what you are doing and defend yourself.

5. Distractions

6. Busy-ness

7. Create insecurity in who you are in Christ, your identity and your calling. This is what he did with Eve and tried unsuccessfully to do with Christ.

8. Guilt and condemnation. There is therefore now NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

9. He seeks to kill, steal, and destroy. Anything that is designed to kill you, steal from you or destroy you is from him.

When you find yourself partnering with the enemy in any of these areas, STOP! We all at one time or another have been duped by the enemy in one of these areas. No guilt, no condemnation. But when we recognize it, we must purposefully do the opposite. When we recognize his strategies, we must use the appropriate piece of our spiritual armor and shut him and his tactics down.

Brothers and sisters, yes, our enemy is tricky, and his bark can be intimidating but greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. God is leading you in a triumphant processional. We may lose a battle every now and then but the contest has been rigged and we have the ultimate victory! Walk in the security of this knowledge.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. (‭1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭8-9‬ NIV)

If you have enjoyed these teachings on Spiritual Warfare, join me for a bible study in the fall on This topic or purchase my book, “Triumphantly Free” being released at the end of summer.