What the Enemy Doesn’t Want You to Know

Most everywhere we look, we're reminded of the real battle that exists. The times we live in often feel desperate and uncertain. The devil and his forces of darkness never wait for us to be ready for their attack. They're ruthless, determined, and cunning. They could care less if we "feel" prepared, or prayed up for our day. In fact, they prefer we're not.

God has a plan for our lives. The enemy has a plan for us too. We just have to decide which voice we’re going to listen to, and who we're going to choose to follow each day. And chances are, if we don't make a determined choice to follow God, we may eventually fall into the traps of the enemy.

Satan’s threat may seem real and fierce, but he’s not all powerful. He wants to be. He pretends to be. But the Bible tells us differently. There are things he’d prefer you didn’t know about him, because it reveals his weaknesses.

What the enemy doesn’t want you to know, 3 things he can’t do, that only God can:

1. The enemy can’t be everywhere at the same time - He has evil forces at work for him, but he is limited in what he can do and where he can be.  

1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

If he has to “prowl” or “walk about” the earth, he obviously can’t be everywhere at once. The book of Job also reminds us that when Satan comes before God to ask his permission to attack Job, God asks him where he has been. And he answers, "From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it." Job 1:7

His words again indicate he has to travel around, not able to be in all places at one time.

Revelation 12:4 tells us that 1/3 of the angels fell with him from heaven, so though his power is limited, he does have many dark forces on his side. We may not know exactly how many demons are at work in this world, yet we can know, according to scripture, there are many.

But we do not have to fear…

For our God is omnipresent. He can be everywhere, at the same time. And He never sleeps or slumbers, He's aware every moment of every day, exactly what we're up against. He knows our way, and is with us always. There's no place on this earth we can go that He doesn't see and know of.

“He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber;” Psalm 121:3

“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15:3

2. The enemy is not able to be in full control - His power is limited and his destination is certain, so he seeks to take as many with him into destruction as he possibly can, knowing full well that his time is limited.  

The book of Job is again a reminder of Satan’s limitations, for he must ask God for permission to bring harm to this God-fearing man, Job.  Ephesians 2:2 refers to the devil as "the ruler of the kingdom of the air," and says he works in the hearts of the disobedient. His main aim is to steal, kill, and destroy us. John 10:10 calls him a "thief." We should be very aware that standing against him is battle; we are only secure in the armor of God and protected by His power. We cannot fight this enemy alone.  He is a foe to be reckoned with.

But we do not have to fear…

For our God is omnipotent. He is all powerful. He reigns supreme. He gives us what we need for every moment in this life. He strengthens us, His Spirit guides us and empowers us. His word reminds us that He fights for us.  He alone holds the power to forgive, the power to set free, the power to save, and the power to give eternal life.

“Salvation and glory and power belong to our God... Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.” Revelation 19:1, 6

"For nothing will be impossible with God." Luke 1:37

3. The enemy does not know all – And if does not know all, he cannot read our minds, nor does he possess the power to have the full knowledge that God has. He can overhear our conversations, even to ourselves, he observes our behavior, decisions, and knows our weaknesses.  

We should stay very aware that he is studying our lives, and can predict our responses based on past decisions.  You can be sure that the enemy will use any of our shortcomings to his advantage against us, but he still does not know what God knows. We can be confident of this because of Matthew 4:1-11. He speaks to Jesus in the wilderness and brings temptation against Him, yet there’s no indication that he knows ahead of time how our Lord will respond.

No matter what we’ve done, where we’ve been, or past mistakes we’ve made, no matter what information the enemy tries to hold against us, we do not have to fear…

For our God is omniscient.  He is all knowing. He sees all and knows all. He knows everything about us, every word before we say it, every thought before we think it. And He loves us, still, more than we could ever imagine.

“Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.” Psalm 147:5

“You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.” Psalm 139:2

In all of this we can be assured - God has the final say – and He leaves us with this reminder of Truth - "Greater is He who is in you, than he who is in the world." 1 John 4:4

God is greater.  He is never overcome by evil, and tells us in His Word, "Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21

Christ was our ultimate example in His willingness to suffer and die on the cross on our behalf. He overcame all evil. The power of the Resurrection proves - He won. And that same power fights for us even now. The enemy may try every scheme possible to distract, tempt, or lure us away with fear, lies, and manipulation, but as believers, he does not hold our future in his hands. Only God does that. And we are forever secure in His power.

In whatever you face, know that He is with you, know that He is for you, and He fights for you.

May God’s grace and strength fill you today, as you live aware of His constant covering and protection.

Pressing on…stay strong in Him.

(This post was first published Nov. 2015)

Debbie McDaniel is a writer, pastor's wife, mom to three amazing kids (and a lot of pets). Join her each morning on Fresh Day Ahead's facebook page, DebbieWebbMcDaniel, for daily encouragement in living strong, free, hope-filled lives. Find her also at Twitter and Web Site.