June 10, 2024
Your Enemy’s Camouflage
By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.
One day, a famous English art critic took his daughter to the ocean. No matter how hard he tried, he could not persuade her to join him in the chilly waters of the Atlantic. He built a fire, heated a teakettle of water, and, with a great flourish, poured the steaming water into the ocean. At that point and without further hesitation, the child ran gleefully into the icy waters.
This was a father’s harmless trick. However, this is exactly what the enemy does with us. He mixes small amounts of Truth into an ocean of falsehood, and people wade into the icy pool, not realizing that they have been deceived.
When Satan first came to Eve, he didn’t come on a whim. He carefully planned his attack. Also, understand that before the fall of man, the serpent was not a frightening creature. In fact, it was known for being wise and prudent.
In the Garden of Eden, Satan took on the form of prudence, wisdom, logic, common sense, social acceptability, and conformity. He uses this method with us today. When Eve stepped aside to listen to the enemy’s lies, she made a horrifying mistake. She fell for the tempter’s plan and took the first step toward repudiating God’s authority.
Today, Satan still tempts us to question God’s plan and design for our lives. However, you do not have to be trapped by the snare of the enemy. Through Christ, who lives in you through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, you can turn away from the tempter.
God’s Word provides the perfect outline for dealing with the ambushes of the enemy. Apply its principles to your life, and you will walk in true freedom.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for the power of Your Holy Spirit to defeat Satan. I pray I will listen to His voice so I will not fall prey to the tempter’s plans. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
“When [Satan] lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).
Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon The Garden vs. the City, Part 1: LISTEN NOW
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