4 Satanic Tactics Are Destroying Believers
In the world today, hate, death, and darkness are dominating the cultural landscape.
These three forces have become the norm rather than the exception. We face the challenge of raising our children and grandchildren in a culture of corruption and destruction. While this darkness works to harden the hearts and minds of a generation, God has called us (the church) to be a counterculture of love, life, and light.
“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:13-16 NLT)
Notice that we are not called the salt of the church. Instead, Jesus identifies us as the “salt of the earth.” Based on the need, salt does three things: 1) preserves, 2) destroys bacteria, and 3) adds flavor to food. Before the invention of refrigeration, meat was preserved with salt. The same salt that preserved the meat destroyed any bacteria from spoiling it, all while adding to its flavor. Likewise, we are commissioned on earth to preserve all things near and dear to the heart of God while destroying the works of Satan. We preserve people while destroying the powers of darkness. Just like salt, if we lose our flavor or influence, we are worthless or useless in countering the world’s destructive culture. Also notice that we are called “light of the world” and a “city set on a hill.”
Light, by nature, exposes and expels darkness. We cannot hide ourselves away; rather, we need to let our light—good works—shine before everyone to glorify our Father in heaven. We cannot be ashamed of God’s Word—the Bible— and its power to change hearts, minds, and lives. We must be both (salt and light) by our new nature in Christ. This is who we are and should now affect all we do and how we behave.
As a “city on a hill” we are not to hide behind four walls. Our self-imposed quarantine must be broken, allowing us to share the gospel that is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (see Rom. 1:16). As the people of God, we cannot be hidden—we need to let our lights shine so that when people see our good works, they will see the glory of God. What a powerful promise and truth. Our light (good works) is not before God (self-righteousness) but rather before people. Our good works do not impress God, but they do bless the people. Jesus is our righteousness before God, and our good works are before men and women. We must become “super-spreaders” of the gospel.
For decades, the church has allowed the world to cause us to live under house arrest. Because of this, the world is collapsing due to the weight of sin and the absence of light. Instead of the principles of God, the philosophies of men dominate the public discourse leading to the destruction of people’s lives. Paul addresses these issues in Colossians 2:6-8:
“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.”
Those of us who are followers of Christ must now be established in our faith, abounding with thanksgiving. It is imperative that God’s Kingdom principles be taught. Unfortunately, most people have not been taught what God’s Word says about the cultural issues we face today. Worse yet, many are being taught the philosophies of this world that can cause their faith in Jesus and His Word to plummet or become nonexistent.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children” (Hosea 4:6).
Christians are being destroyed for a lack of knowledge of God’s Word. Sadly, many are now suffering from this ignorance of truth. We must repent and receive God’s Word for our sakes and future generations. Psalm 107:20 says, “He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” This next great awakening will usher in a hunger for revelation of God’s Word, the Bible.
As you know, to spoil is to go from good to bad. If we are spoiled, we no longer have a positive effect in and on our world. Our influence as a “city on a hill” and our impact as “salt and light” is diminished. These scriptures reveal there are four things that spoil us as Christians: 1) human philosophies, 2) empty (or enemy) deceit, 3) traditions, and 4) basic worldly principles. Let’s look at each on in more detail.
1. Human Philosophies
A philosophy is simply a way of thinking. It is not bad in and of itself. God has a philosophy about things as well, but when human philosophies are exalted above God’s, it can spoil the mind of a believer. Today we are offered all kinds of solutions to our problems that contradict God’s Word. “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:12 NIV). Any secular worldview always ends in some type of death.
A secular worldview is a human philosophy, human opinion, and human way of thinking apart from God’s influence. One damaging secular worldview is the so-called destruction of the planet known as “global warming,” currently labeled “climate change” in response to the recent record cold snaps. “They” say we can save the planet and ourselves by giving up all our God-given freedoms and submitting to corrupt government mandates. “They” try to convince us that if we don’t, we will all die in so many years—the number changes as the predictions are proven lies. This tactic of fear, worry, and anxiety could cause us to give up freedom.
In contrast, a biblical worldview is the complete opposite. God’s philosophy says that He created the world, upholds it, and has preserved it for the day of judgment (see Hebrews 11:3; 1:3; 2 Peter 3:7). At His appearing and Kingdom, He will save us and the planet, creating a new heaven and a new earth, and nothing but righteousness will reign. There are enough opposing philosophies between the world and God to fill several books, but the point to be made here is that the world’s philosophies will spoil you while God’s philosophies will produce faith, hope, and peace.
2. Empty Deceit
Our culture is collapsing under the weight of lies and distortions on a daily basis. Mainstream media is filled with deception and coordinated falsehoods. True journalism has been replaced by constant hit pieces launched on anyone who opposes their agenda. In today’s world culture, truth has been replaced with bold-faced lies, and while we could blame the station owners and journalists, the Word says that ultimately Satan is the father of all lies:
“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44).
The Book of Revelation in the Bible describes the kind of people who have allowed Satan’s influence a place in their lives:
“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8).
Notice that the first word of this list is cowardly. The King James Translation says “fearful,” which in Strong’s Concordance means “timid or to dread” (deilos, G1169). I know this may sound harsh, but remember, as people who are in Christ, fear should have no place in our lives. People being afraid to speak up are in the same camp as those who lie. God is calling us to repent from being afraid and from lying.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).
“Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety” (Proverbs 29:25 NLT).
Our greatest success in ministry is not that we offend no one by withholding the truth, but rather that we please God by speaking the truth in love. Our fear to speak up or out is as egregious to God as the lies of our culture that are destroying the innocent and unlearned. While God hasn’t called us to be rude or mean, He has commanded us to be bold and courageous. In John 5:44 Jesus states, “How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?”
No one wants to be rejected, but we must overcome any fear knowing God has accepted us. Luke 6:26 declares, “Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” The only way to have everyone speak well of you is to be a false prophet. Generationally, false prophets are the ones adored.
Despite these and many more promises regarding fear, people are afraid to speak out. The world watched as Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s character was assassinated during his confirmation hearing to the Supreme Court. Not only were lies told about him, but people sought his and his family’s destruction. Many were hesitant to speak out, in fear of similar attacks being launched at them personally. However, being censored, banned from social media, or outright attacked is just the beginning of what is to come if we remain silent.
We are to be a counterculture to vain deceit. How? By speaking the truth in love. Ephesians 4:15 declares that: “speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (KJV). Speaking the truth in love facilitates growth and health. Lies ensnare and poison one’s soul and the culture. Any speech today that is contrary to the lies and falsehoods of government elites or media propaganda is subject to censorship in many social platforms.
While we are never to be rude or mean-spirited (you’ll be accused of those regardless), we should never fear being direct and honest. Our nation is imploding under the weight of lies and obsession for power. God is calling us to repent of being fearful and lying. The truth must be spoken in love or people will die in their sins and give an account to God.
3. Traditions
Not all tradition is bad, but tradition that no longer serves its original purpose can be serious. Many vote out of tradition and have no idea what they are voting for. It’s just the way we’ve done it for decades. I’ve always encouraged people to look at our two major political party platforms and see which one is the closest to God’s Word and philosophy. In many cases it wouldn’t matter because people are married to their traditions and not to Jesus and His Word.
Jesus taught that human traditions could make the Word of God of no effect (see Mark 7:13). When we exalt tradition, especially those rooted in lies, we cancel out God’s Word in our lives. Many today are bound by generational lies and traditions that violate God’s Word, others by generational poverty and the welfare state.
I was caught in generational poverty. It had become a way of life or tradition in my family for so long that we just accepted it. Poverty was considered who we were and how we were to behave. God’s Word broke that tradition and my wife, my children, and their children are experiencing God’s generational prosperity.
4. Basic Worldly Principles
Colossians 2:8 (NLT) states this very well:
“Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.”
At large, the world is being governed by spiritual powers that are not of God. They are the antichrist and you and I need to discern them and oppose them with the truth of God’s Word and His kind of love. The Passion Translation of Colossians 2:8 excellently states it this way:
“Beware that no one distracts you or intimidates you in their attempt to lead you away from Christ’s fullness by pretending to be full of wisdom when they’re filled with endless arguments of human logic. For they operate with humanistic and clouded judgments based on the mindset of this world system, and not the anointed truths of the Anointed One” (Colossians 2:8 TPT)
There are anointed truths that set people free. God’s Word reveals these anointed truths that make us a counterculture in this world. God’s Word is what sanctifies us and sets us apart from this world (see John 17:17). Only when we let “God be true and every man a liar” are we being the counterculture in this world (see Romans 3:4).
The counterculture is God’s truth rooted in the Holy Scriptures, the teachings of the apostles, and the Holy Spirit leading and guiding us in both thought and deed. This counterculture is based on these unshakable, anointed truths of Jesus Himself.
In short, creating a counterculture begins with what we believe, but doesn’t end there. It is rooted in who we believe we are as the church. It becomes tangible in how we behave. I urge you to believe God’s Word, receive who you are in Christ, behave in a way that reflects what you believe, and realize the power that Christ has given you to be a light in the darkness.
