The Spirit of Enmity – Satan

By Triin Leesmann

Tallinn, Estonia

Scripture: Genesis 3:14-15

Why should we think about Satan during the holiday season at all? The topics in the series should be about Jesus and joy and our giving spirit, right? As a matter of fact, we do not want to think about Satan very much at any time of the year. Still, a deep conviction of his power and his limits increases our faith and gives us strength and courage. 

We want to enter the holiday season fully equipped in order to serve others and be filled with joy. We want to be prepared. But sadly, most of us have probably experienced that in the moments of our highest expectations or biggest joy, Satan is often right there to rob from us and leave us in stress, despair and conflict. 

Jesus was very aware of Satan’s whereabouts and his plans. Jesus did not take him lightly and taught his disciples about him. And the Bible keeps teaching us, with accent to be on guard. So, where and why did the enmity start for us?

 So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will rush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Gen. 3:14-15) 

As we can see, there is no way we could escape that enmity. It was right there from the very beginning! But what can we do?

As Christians, we know about the constant spiritual war going on around and inside us (Eph. 6:10-12), but we need to remember so that we keep the eyes of our heart open (Eph. 1:17-18) to recognize the spiritual realm and act accordingly.   

We also know the good news that Jesus has defeated Satan and that he has no more power over us except for what we voluntarily give him. He cannot force us to do anything! And even more – we are not unaware of his schemes (2 Cor. 2:11). But we should take seriously that he is the prince of this world (2 Cor. 4:4), a strong enemy with limited but very powerful weapons. And he hates us and wants to destroy us!

Q: Before reading further, think a little and make a list for yourself – which weapons of Satan are you aware of and can identify when they occur?

Q: What kind of schemes can Satan use on you most effectively?

Some of Satan’s weapons coming to my mind are: lies, deceit, accusing (ourselves and others), sowing doubts, scheming, entangling, blinding. He can also make us suffer and snatch away what was sown into our hearts. Also, his titles in the Bible are impressive! (This is a study worth doing for yourself in the future!)

In order to prepare our hearts for this special season of the year, let’s meditate a little bit on one mighty, almost mass destruction weapon Satan so skillfully uses on all of us.

Deceit and Lies

He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. ( John 8:44b, NIV)

So the great dragon was thrown out—the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the one who deceives the whole world. (Revelation 12:9a, HCSB)

The Devil lies so fluently and it sounds so natural because it’s his inmost being. His lies come in different forms, like a brutal lie or very deceitful scheming. He is so good in manipulating and falsely accusing!

He wants to separate us from God and also from people close and important to us, so he’ll use the language very skillfully. And his lies are dangerous because they are so hidden and feel like truth coming out from our hearts. That might be the reason why we so easily buy into them. Have you ever had thoughts such as:

“Nobody has time for me.’’

“Who cares about my concerns?’’

“Everybody has her own worries.’’

“Nobody cares for my feelings.’’

“I need to manage it by myself.’’

“I want to say/do that nice thing but what will she think about me then?’’

“God is not answering my prayers.’’

“Actually, God doesn’t care.’’

 I have. And those thoughts seem so real!

As we know, Satan has as one of his main goals to create distance in our relationships – with God and with people important to us. Just as human lies produce disappointments, hurt feelings, conflicts, unforgiveness, bitterness, loss of relationship and so on, the devil’s lies and schemes dangerously produce the same results – we distance ourselves from our most valuable relationships and weaken spiritually. 

Q: What kind of his lies do you often believe? How do you usually react and act?

Q: What kind of lies might he be whispering into your ears this coming season? How could you prepare yourself against those lies?

Q:. What situation might await you during the coming season, concerning worries (buying gifts, making preparations, finances, your own high expectations etc.), relationships (relatives, problems in family), loneliness, grief etc.?

Q: How will you prepare yourself?

Let us not give the devil a foothold during this holiday season (Eph. 4:27)! Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7). In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one (Eph. 6:16).

And let us remember that the reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work (1 John 3:8). And let’s hold Him in the very center during this special season of the year! 

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. 

If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. 

If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

(The Art of War by Sun Tzu)