“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11 (KJV)
Disciples of Christ, ‘wiles’ in this context refers to cunning tricks, devious strategies, or sly methods used to deceive someone. The “wiles” in Ephesians 6:11 are the devil’s clever schemes designed to ensnare us through temptations, threats, and/or intimidation. Saints, we are engaged in a spiritual battle – all believers find themselves subject to the devil’s attack because we are no longer on his side.
Quoting from “The Word Today by Bob and Debby Gass, with Ruth Gass Halliday Copyright BGM, November-January,” they recounted that a story was once told about the devil hosting a conference with his demons, saying: “As long as Christians stay close to God, we have no power over them, so:
1. Keep them busy with non-essentials.
2. Tempt them to overspend and go into debt.
3. Make them work long hours to maintain empty lifestyles
4. Discourage them from spending family time, for when homes disintegrate, there is no refuge from work.
5. Overstimulate their minds with television and computers so that they can’t hear God speaking to them.
6. Fill their coffee table and nightstands with newspapers and magazines so they have no time for Bible reading.
7. Flood their letter boxes with sweepstakes promotions and get-rich-quick schemes
8. Put glamorous models on television and on magazine covers to keep them focused on outward appearances; they will be dissatisfied with themselves and their mates.
9. Make sure couples are too exhausted for intimacy.
10. Emphasise Santa and the Easter bunny, diverting them from the real meaning of the holidays.
11. Involve them in ‘good’ causes so they won’t have any time for eternal ones.
12. Make them self-sufficient. Keep them so busy working in their own strength that they will never know the joy of the Lord’s power working through them.
Do these twelve things faithfully. I promise it will work,” he said.
Beloved, if any of the aforementioned schemes enticed us, let’s repent, change our ways and direction, and re-focus on God and His will for our lives.
Read: Acts 5:3; 1 Corinthians 7:5
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 35:11-18; Luke 2:41-52; Numbers 7:66-89; Numbers 8; Numbers 9:1-14
