Satan is continually on the prowl seeking to destroy those who would be God’s followers (I Peter 5:8). One commentator had made the following observations regarding the way Satan destroys the followers of Jesus. “The devil has three principal avenues by which he tries to destroy Christians: intimidation, deception, and temptation.”1

It is hard to resist intimidation even when you have a limited number of people stand with you in conviction. It is even more difficult when you stand alone. Jesus tells us that there is a broad way that leads to destruction. The crowd will always ridicule the one who stands in the minority. Peer pressure for children and adults is a real problem. Matthew 7:1314 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

We should not be intimidated or surprised when Satan try to compel us to do the wrong thing. Even though Eve was one lone woman, her ability to convince Adam to partake of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was extremely effective. How much more is the pressure that is applied by multitudes of people seeking to destroy the morals and godly ways of Christians. The Old Testament passage found in Exodus 23:2 is still true today. “You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice.”

Intimidation from ones companions or associates is sometimes called “peer pressure.” We need to be careful about those who become our closest friends. Whether we realize it or not, they wield an influence in our lives. This might have been what Paul had in mind when he warned in 1 Corinthians 15:33, “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’"

Furthermore, intimidation can come from people promoting an immoral agenda through persecution. In our age persecution can take many different forms. It can be physical in nature—primarily in places where Christianity is prohibited. It can be legal in nature in our own nation. It is not hard to Google articles that demonstrate the immoral elements of our society suing people who refuse to participate in their depraved celebrations.

Sadly, those promoting Christ should expect and anticipate being persecuted. Matthew 5:10-12 says, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Satan will intimidate, but Christians must stand firm in the faith.

Next, Satan is described as a red dragon that attempts to deceive the entire world. Revelation 12:9 says, “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” A verse in the same book of the New Testament says something similar. Revelation 13:4-8 says, “So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe,

tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

In the Garden of Eden, Eve was deceived by the Serpent. Genesis 3:13 says, “And the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." In addressing the church at Corinth, Paul makes a similar observation about the ability of Satan to deceive humankind. He says in II Corinthians 11:3, “But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” Indeed, the Bible is replete with passages that warn the reader against deception (cf. I Corinthians 6:9; James 1:16; Deuteronomy 11:16; Galatians 6:7; I Corinthians 15:33).

Sadly, there is deception in every facet of life—even religion. Paul makes this observation. As he describes Satan and his emissaries. II Corinthians 11:13-15 says, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.” Many false prophets have made money off of those who have been deceived into believing that their words and actions echo truth.

One of the biggest deceptions that people succumb to is the idea that there will be no consequences for wicked behaviors. Paul warns against that deception. In Galatians 6:7-8, he says, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” There will always be a “payday” for planting the seeds of evil and rebellion. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Satan also uses temptation to draw people away from God. James 1:13-16 says, “Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.” Satan knows the types of desire that are most appealing to each person. He knows the bait to use so that he might entrap humankind and entice them away from serving the living and true God.

We should be aware of the devices that Satan uses, so we can combat them in our lives. Using the armor of God will help us overcome the trials that we face in this life. Ephesians 6:10-17 says in part, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil…”

1. Roper, David (2002). Truth for Today Commentary: Revelation 12-22, Eddie Cloer, Gen Ed. Resource Publications, Searcy, pg. 49.