"Your Adversary, the Devil"
by Tim ChildsWhen we read, study and meditate upon the text of Scripture, we need to be alert and prayerful so we can receive the illumination only God can bestow. God's Word enables you and me not only to learn the difference between good and evil
(Hebrews 5:14), but it additionally gives insight into the devices Satan uses in his efforts to gain the advantage over us
(2 Corinthians 2:11).
God has a plan. We know it by divine revelation as one He formulated in the person of Jesus Christ before the foundation of the world. God's plan is one characterized by love, mercy and grace to reconcile sinful men to Himself and to one another in one body. God wants to bless all of us with abundant life presently and eternal life when Jesus comes again.
Satan has a plan. We know it as an alternative plan he has devised in his attempt to counteract, disrupt and frustrate God's plan of redemption. Satan's plan is to harden hearts so they become unresponsive to heaven's call and directives; drive wedges to create disunity among God's children; and, bring together in fellowship those he has begotten with those the Heavenly Father has begotten
(Matthew 13:24-20).
Isaiah writes how God's thoughts and ways are higher or superior to our own. His plan is superior to Satan's. Satan is a loser and all those who allow themselves to be deceived by his lies will suffer enormous loss together with him.
