PrintSome years ago there was a neat little truism doing the rounds in Christian circles. "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life". The comedians in our ranks produced a slight variation that had particular application for Pastors and Leaders: "God loves you and everyone else has a wonderful plan for your life"!!
Just a few days back in the small hours of the morning when sleep eluded me, I wondered what might be on TV and I found myself watching an American preacher whose presentation style made me wish I could go back to sleep - quickly. But just as I reached for the "Off" button the preacher said this: "Do you know that Satan has a plan for your life?" Click.
I didn't turn on the TV again. I just sat there with that question ringing in my ears and ricocheting around my heart.
"Do you know that Satan has a plan for your life?"
Now, I am aware that God has a plan for my life. Those oft quoted words from Jeremiah leave me in no doubt about that. There are countless other places in Scripture that assure me of this great truth
For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT)
But is that preacher right in saying that Satan also has a plan or strategy for my life? Well, consider these words of Jesus:
The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness. John 10:10 NLT
There it is in a nutshell. Using the imagery of Satan likened to the thief, Jesus identifies the three-fold plan of the thief - to steal, kill and destroy. Because we are made in the image of God, Satan is absolutely committed to destroy that image wherever he finds it. The least outcome he will accept is to rob us of our inheritance as sons and daughters of God. But he will not stand down from his desire to kill and destroy us.
But does he have specific strategies to accomplish his malevolent purpose? Consider the following verses:
"....so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are very familiar with his evil schemes". (2 Corinthians 2:11 NLT) (The word translated "schemes" conveys the idea of military strategies)
Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not fall into the Devil's trap and be disgraced. (1 Timothy 3:7 NLT)
There are many other verses that reveal our arch enemy has specific strategies to accomplish his diabolical mission.
In stark contrast to those murderous plots, Jesus identifies His plan for our lives: to give life in all its fullness.
We talk a lot about knowing God's Will (or plan) for our lives - as we should.
Should we not also recognize that God is not the only one with such a plan, shaped and tailored personally for us?
Does Satan know our points of weakness and vulnerability? Absolutely! We only have to watch the way he shaped his tactics against Jesus to realise that his "choice of weapons", the timing of the temptations and the appropriateness of those challenges reveal a knowledge of Jesus' circumstances that was very well informed and insightful.
For example, in Luke's account of the temptations of Jesus (Luke 4/1-13), we read that Jesus became very hungry and Satan shaped the temptation to suit the need of Jesus at that time.
Peter warned us along these lines:
Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith. 1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT
Does Satan know about my "Achilles' Heel"? I'm pretty sure he does. Maybe a better question is, "Do I know about my Achilles' Heel?"
This thief who comes to steal, kill and destroy is in no hurry. He is prepared to wait patiently if it means we will become careless before he springs the trap.
How might he attempt to trap me today?
