Handbook Of Enemy Strategies



Why do I love the information below? Mainly because God is using it and many other bible passages, along with friends to remind of the bigger picture of ministry. Lately, I feel like I have been in a fight that just wont come to an end. Things are difficult, I am tired, frustrated at times. I have wanted to give up, act out in the flesh and just lash out at others. " God's purposes will prevail and the kingdom of hell will not prevail" is what I keep telling myself. It seem right at the moment me and a co laborer of mine began a bible study in the projects, excuse me, but, all hell has begin to break lose. Slander, rejection, manipulation is on a rampant. The Big picture is that there is someone who wants to throw us off course, yet, there is a God who wants to reveal Himself, my heart and advance His kingdom. I am learning so much. My prayer lately has been that God would use my life in the midst of persecution and rejection to, honor Christ, give His church continuous boldness to preach the Gospel no matter what and that God will continue to advance his kingdom. Below is John Piper's Handbook of Enemy Strategies:
A wartime mindset must include shrewd knowledge of enemy tactics: Ephesians 5:11, "Take no part in unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them."
Christianity stands or falls with the reality of Satan and demons. Why? Because Jesus spent his whole ministry fighting them. If they are not real he is reduced to a comic figure.
What is Satan's aim and his strategies?
  1. He is the Father of liesJohn 8:44
    His nature is falsehood! He only speaks the truth in order to deceive.
  2. Therefore, his chief enemy is truth - he opposes God's wordGenesis 3:1-5
  3. He casts doubt on God's goodnessGenesis 3:1-5
    He destroys the obedience of faith.
  4. He hinders missions strategy1 Thess. 2:18
    He opposes the truth reaching and converting people.
  5. He distorts and prevents effective Gospel ministryActs 13:8-9
  6. He avoids inner need by removing external trouble1 John 3:12
  7. He uses the fear of death to hold men in bondageHebrews 2:15
    The fear of death doesn't lead them to God because it leads them to get as many kicks here as possible.
  8. He causes people to stumble over bad Christian attitudes2 Tim. 2:24-26
  9. He blinds the minds of unbelievers2 Cor. 4:4
  10. He exploits a lack of understandingMt. 13:19
  11. He suggests ways that don't involve sufferingMt. 16:23Mt. 4:1-11
  12. He imitates religious roles2 Cor. 11:14-15Mt.13:28,30Rev. 2:9
  13. He misuses ScriptureMt. 4:6
  14. He imitates signs and wonders2 Thess. 2:9Mk. 13:22
  15. He offers exotic occult alternativesRev. 2:19-24
  16. He attacks faith1 Thess. 3:52 Cor. 11:3
  17. He brings persecutionRev. 2:91 Pt. 5:8Lk. 22:31
  18. He brings sicknessJob 1:112:5Lk. 13:16.
  19. He causes dissension over doctrine and causes riftsRom. 16:17-20
  20. He tempts saints with sexual allurements1 Cor. 7:51 Tim. 5:15
  21. He takes advantage of unresolved anger2 Cor. 2:11Eph. 4:27
  22. He promotes pride1 Tim. 3:6
We began with liar and end with pride. Connection: the truth is that God is God and we are not. It is humbling. The only way to rebel against the lowliness of creaturehood is to be a liar. Therefore humility under God is the great devil resistance (James 4:6-7).