8 Ways Satan Is Attacking Our Youth and How to Protect Them

"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ." Colossians 2:8

The core belief system of growing minds and hearts is a delicate and tender place of vulnerability. While parents, pastors, and leaders are doing their best to teach truth, the world is throwing a false foundation their way. The Bible says one thing, and the world says another. Rather than blindly believing everything they've been told or taught, young people today have an abundance of information at their fingertips and in their pockets, offering answers to their deepest questions. If we are not listening or vigilantly looking for the questions they might be asking through implication or action, we are missing an opportunity to help them build a biblical belief system. While we cannot make anyone believe anything, we can offer truth and build a foundation of faith by teaching Bible truths and living out what we believe.

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9

There is an identity crisis in our culture. I recently went to the doctor, and there was a place for both males and females to identify gender. While many are confused in this area, God created male and female. Being born in one body and identifying as another is a deception of the enemy. This identity confusion that has taken headline news is a crisis of belief and trust in a God who created each individual with love, compassion, and distinction. If young people in your circle of influence wrestle in this area, first give truth and celebrate God's design of male and female. If necessary, get professional biblical counseling to help guide the young developing mind and heart. If we don't guide them, the world will. The world will send messages of inclusion, acceptance, and tolerance. God's Word teaches truth in love, dying to self daily, and crucifying the flesh.

Related: 

Talking to Your Children about Transgender

Why We Have to Talk to Our Kids about Sexuality

What Culture Is Teaching Our Kids about Sexuality: 7 Ways to Respond

"Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals." 1 Corinthians 15:33

Social media has promoted a sin problem in our culture. Post what you want people to believe you are. With filters that make us look like different people, taking away any flaw we see, or with AI writing posts that give us an edge that seems like we've really got it together, it's a challenge for young people to be authentic. They are seeing influencers share the highlights and focus on the big moments. Teenagers are forced to grapple with the reality of their seemingly mediocre lives and feeling like they have something to prove. Character is who you are even when no one notices or sees. It is the quiet moments with God or the prayers you pray when they cannot be posted to Instagram or Snapchat. It is the moments you resisted temptation and pride to take the narrow road toward holy living even when no one saw you. These are tender places for teenagers who are being challenged every day to be seen and noticed in the noisy world of social media.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2

You've probably heard it said, "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." While the devil cannot read our minds, he is highly educated when it comes to how to lead a person astray. His specialty is working on how a person perceives, processes, and thinks through things. If he can get us to think wrong, he can get us to act wrong. The mind is the place where anxiety and depression take root. It is a delicate place where little thoughts turn into big thoughts, and big thoughts turn into action. This is why it is vital to be in tune with and in touch with the mental health of those you have influence over. Parents, teachers, and leaders have a unique ability and responsibility to pray for and be available for the battles these young people might face.

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"The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!" Matthew 6:22-23

"The eyes are the window to the soul" is not just a cute phrase or a memorable quote. It is true both in physical attributes and in spiritual implication. The eyes are a gate that open up the soul to a world of good or evil. With the increase in screens over the past several years, young people are inundated with images every single day. The eyes no longer have to search for evil; within seconds, it's easy to find, and image after image is available in the palm of their hand. What we see affects who we are and how we think. We will all have regrets if we are not careful to protect and guide our young people's eyes.

"My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh." Proverbs 4:20-22

Screens are not the only thing that has increased over the last several years. With an uptick in podcasts, music streaming, and audio accessibility through earbuds and headphones, young minds are being flooded with the challenge of filtering through what is holy and what is unholy. There is a layer of privacy in the quiet of earbuds and no one else being able to hear that allows a person to fill the mind with whatever they feel is good. While there are tons of great godly podcasts, music options, and audiobooks out there, there are just as many, if not more, sin-filled scenarios available with one click. It's just another way the enemy is waiting to attack.

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." Colossians 3:23

The hands are not just instruments of action; they are reflections of the heart. Scripture shows us that what we do with our hands matters deeply. The enemy uses hands to carry out destruction through addiction, self-harm, violence, or even silent sin done in secret. Many teens today are battling temptations that play out in physical actions: cutting, vaping, stealing, or scrolling endlessly into dark places. But God calls us to use our hands in a different way. Godly hands build, serve, pray, and worship. Hands can be holy or harmful. They can reach toward others in love or retreat in isolation. Parents and leaders can guide youth toward using their hands for good by modeling service, inviting participation in ministry, and helping them see that their work matters to God.

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." Psalm 139:13-14

The value of a person affects the way they work, serve, and act. If the enemy can convince a young person that they are not valued or valuable, they will act insecurely, always seeking approval from others. When a young person is confident in their value and aware they are bought with a price, they will live with purpose—seeking to honor God. Value is not an attack to ignore or avoid. It is one to fight and know is present. The world is telling our young people they need to look a certain way, have certain things, and achieve a certain level of success. When looks don't align, weight is too high or too low, or possessions can't be purchased, value will be challenged unless the value system is rooted in spiritual concepts over physical appearances.

While there are many tactics of the enemy, these are just a few that are sure to touch the youth in your life at some level. When we are aware and alert to the attacks, we will be better equipped to support and lead them to truth. Do not wait until the enemy already has them down to supply a lifeline of truth and grace. Offer truth and love regularly, and be aware of how they are being tempted and attacked. Provide grace and ground them in the truth of God's Word regularly so they are ready when the enemy has them as his target. It's not an easy battle, but it's worth it.