Fighting Satan’s Schemes with the Gospel of Jesus
I'm excited to welcome Heather Hart from Candidly Christian to the Standing Against Satan series! She takes a powerful look at one of our greatest weapons against Satan's schemes-the helmet of salvation, displayed in the gospel of Christ. Her post sheds Christ's shining light of truth on Satan's attempts to steal our attention.
Discontentment. Doubts. Disappointments. Bitterness. Pride. Fear. Misconceptions. Half-truths.
These are just some of the ways Satan wiggles his way into our thoughts trying to get a foothold. He would love to run rampant in our lives (in our homes and in our minds). And far too often, we let him... or at least I do.
I let the schemes of Satan take root and fester. Assuming the worst about someone or something and it stirs up bitterness. I over-react because my pride gets hurt.
Sometimes it’s much subtler. Like Eve in the garden, I exaggerate the truth and am caught in a lie.
And our exaggerations are so easy for Satan to use against us.
We know they aren’t true, even if they were rooted in it. Satan focuses on the un-truth and causes us to doubt the whole.
Or he hones in on our failures. He distracts us from our worth in Christ by nagging on our shortcomings. By making us feel like we are less than those around us. Worthless and unworthy.
Other times he lures us into a feeling of false security. He tricks us into thinking we’re doing okay.
We don’t need to invest in our marriage because it’s solid. We don’t have to repent, because we’re good. It’s okay if we drop out of Bible study, because we attend Sunday school. We shouldn’t sweat that sin because it’s not as bad as it could have been.
The diversity of Satan’s schemes are unending. It seems he has one for every situation. He is constantly adapting and waiting and twisting and plotting.
But God...
I love those two little words. Because regardless of what Satan has up his sleeve, we can be sure of Jesus.
God never changes.
His promises are eternal.
His love is unconditional.
[bctt tweet="Regardless of what Satan has up his sleeve, we can be sure of Jesus. #StandAgainstSatan @_HeatherHart" username="NicoleAKauffman"]
And when Satan gets a foothold, we can regain our footing at the foot of the cross.
Even when we fall for Satan’s schemes, the blood of Christ has us covered. That’s the beauty of the gospel.
Jesus didn’t just come and die to forgive us once and then expect us to have our act together. He died because He knew a sacrifice that covered our sins once wouldn't be enough. He knew that as long as we live on earth, we will stumble.
We will fall for Satan’s schemes... for his lies.
Our lack of strength—lack of faith—doesn’t surprise Jesus. He knew before we were born that we would need His loving-sacrifice every second of every day. That’s why He came.
Jesus came so we could have a personal relationship with Him. A relationship that can withstand any scheme Satan could possibly concoct. A relationship that lasts for all eternity regardless of whatever Satan throws our way.
Jesus wants us to trust Him no matter what, but doesn’t condemn us when we falter. When we start to believe Satan’s lies, Jesus patiently waits for us to turn back to Him. To bring our fears and failures to Him.
He loves it when we confess our deepest darkest secrets and sins, because He already knows and is ready to be our firm foundation—our shoulder to cry on and strength when we are weak.
That’s just who Jesus is. He is a father to the fatherless. Friend of sinners. Hope for the hurting.
Jesus is the One who loves us so much that He gave up His life for us.
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” John 15:13 (ESV) – that’s our Jesus. And it’s also what Satan wants us to forget or doubt above all else.
Keeping our eyes on Jesus, remembering what He has done for us... that’s one of the most powerful ways we can stand against Satan.
So wherever today finds you, I pray that your feet are firmly planted at the foot of the cross.
[bctt tweet="If you start to lose your footing, take heart in the fact that the rock of our foundation is secure. #StandAgainstSatan @_HeatherHart" username="NicoleAKauffman"]
If you start to lose your footing, take heart in the fact that the rock of our foundation is secure.
It’s always there, steady and sure.
Heather Hart is an internationally best-selling and award-winning author who has an unquenchable passion for Jesus. She knows that the one thing every girl needs is a little honesty, so she’s not afraid to get candid and share her struggles. Her hope is that, through writing, she can help others soak up the love of Jesus. You can find out more about Heather by visiting her at CandidlyChristian.com.
Follow Heather on her blog: http://candidlychristian.com or on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.
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Great post! The Grace and Truth link-up never disappoints.
My favorite line: “but God…” So true.
It’s one of my favorite link-ups, Ashley!
Satan is so crafty and deliberate with his lies. I love that you are helping people expose them Heather. Well done! Thank you for sharing at Salt & Light Linkup!
Thanks, Natalie! Satan is definitely crafty, but God has us covered.
Thank you for the reminder! When all else seems fleeting and shaky, God is our stable foundation!
Visiting from #Faith’nFriends
Amen! So thankful for that powerful truth.
So much truth. Thank you for sharing your heart on the matter!
Thanks for stopping in, and for your encouragement, Clarissa.
We must be open to God rooting out any seeds that we have sown in error. If Satan gains a foothold, God is faithful to reveal the opening that allowed it.
Yes! God always makes a way for us to regain our footing, and gives us grace because of Jesus.
It’s so important to recognize that Satan doesn’t always come in waving a pitchfork. Often, he uses his old sneaky ways. Like you said he wiggles in, often in subtle ways. This is some good encouragement here to stand vigilant against the enemy.
Thanks, Jen! Satan can attack us head on, but he can also be a wolf in sheep’s clothing. We have to be on guard with our feet firmly planted at the foot of the cross if we want to withstand his schemes.
“If you start to lose your footing, take heart in the fact that the rock of our foundation is secure.” Absolutely!
Thanks for stopping in, Amanda! So thankful for our Jesus.
I LOVE the phrase: But God! It makes all the difference. This is a powerful post, Heather!
“But God” are probably my two favorite words. Thanks for your encouragement, Sarah! Praying you have a gospel-centered day.
“And when Satan gets a foothold, we can regain our footing at the foot of the cross.” That statement was such a blessing to me! I love how you tie together the themes of stronghold and gaining a foothold and securing our footing throughout. The Gospel is amazing! I kept thinking of the hymn lyrics “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand!”
I did have a quick question – what do you mean by “He died because he knew one sacrifice wasn’t enough.”? I think I understood from the context that we will need forgiveness over and over (amazing how He has more than enough no matter how much we need!) but I know many people believe Christ is sacrificed over and over again (in the Mass) and just wondered whether that is what you were getting at or no? Thanks for the clarification! Love your points!
Oh gosh, Katie! Maybe I should have edited that to say “no other sacrifice could be enough”? – before Christ died they made regular sacrifices and they had to keep doing them, that’s what I meant. Christ died once and His sacrifice WAS enough and IS enough.
So glad to cross paths with you here Heather! I love how simply you lay out the truth about who Satan is parallel with the greater truth of who God is. This is wonderful: “And when Satan gets a foothold, we can regain our footing at the foot of the cross.”
Thanks, Becky! I’m so thankful for God’s eternal truths.