As believers, we need to educate ourselves on the tactics and schemes of the devil so that we may resist and fight back. The devil has more freedom to work when a believer does not believe in his existence, is ignorant to his devices, or simply does not know how to fight back. We fight back by resisting his schemes with the Word of God when the devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy. The last time the devil fled from you was the last time you resisted him.

In Luke 8, we read about the demon possessed man whom Jesus healed. Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed.

From this story, we can see many of the tactics that the devil used to destroy this man’s life. First, the man became isolated from his community – he was withdrawn from social interaction and the need to belong in a community was unfulfilled. Next, the devil tortured him mentally using chronic depression, and the man was controlled by pain and fear. Finally, the man was constantly restless. He existed without peace or rest, constantly wandering, howling, and cutting himself among the tombs. But when Jesus set him free, others said they found him sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. Freedom brought him peace!

When we can understand the tactics of the devil, we can identify his plans, resist, and fight back for God’s Kingdom!