The Strategy of Satan

How to Detect and Defeat Him

by Warren W. Wiersbe • 1979 • 162 pages

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Christian Theology Christian Living

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Key Takeaways

1. Satan's primary target is the believer's mind

Satan desires worship and service, and Jesus Christ would give him neither!

Deception is Satan's tactic. He attacks the mind because it's where God communicates His will. Satan aims to make believers ignorant of God's will by:

Questioning God's Word
Denying God's Word
Substituting his own lies

Satan's lies often masquerade as truth, making them difficult to detect. He creates counterfeits of:

Christians
Gospel
Ministers
Righteousness
Church

Defense against deception: The inspired Word of God is the believer's primary defense. This involves:

Knowing God's Word through diligent study
Memorizing Scripture
Meditating on God's truth
Applying biblical wisdom to daily life

2. The body is Satan's secondary target for destruction

Satan knows that he can hinder God's work by attacking God's workers and putting their "tools" out of commission.

Physical attacks serve Satan's purposes. The believer's body is:

God's temple
God's tool for ministry
God's treasury of spiritual gifts

Satan attacks the body through:

Suffering
Sickness
Persecution
Temptation to sin

God's grace is the defense. Believers can overcome physical attacks by:

Trusting in God's sovereignty over suffering
Relying on God's sufficient grace
Maintaining patience in trials
Seeking God's purpose in affliction

3. Pride is Satan's weapon to control the believer's will

Pride glorifies man and robs God of the glory that only he deserves.

Satan targets the will through pride. He aims to make believers:

Feel self-sufficient
Act independently of God
Seek personal glory

Pride manifests in various forms:

Spiritual pride
Intellectual arrogance
Self-righteousness
Refusal to submit to authority

Humility is the antidote to pride. True humility involves:

Recognizing dependence on God
Submitting to God's will
Giving God glory for all accomplishments
Serving others selflessly

The Holy Spirit empowers believers to cultivate humility and resist pride.

4. Satan uses accusation to attack the heart and conscience

Satan wants you to feel guilty. Your heavenly Father wants you to know that you are forgiven.

Guilt is Satan's weapon of choice. He attacks by:

Reminding believers of past sins
Magnifying failures
Instilling doubt about God's forgiveness

Satan's accusations lead to:

Despair
Spiritual paralysis
Ineffective witness

Christ's intercession is the defense. Believers overcome accusation by:

Trusting in Christ's finished work on the cross
Embracing God's forgiveness
Distinguishing between conviction (from the Holy Spirit) and condemnation (from Satan)
Confessing sins promptly and receiving cleansing

5. God provides spiritual armor for defense against Satan

Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

The armor of God is essential. It includes:

Belt of truth
Breastplate of righteousness
Shoes of peace
Shield of faith
Helmet of salvation
Sword of the Spirit (Word of God)

Each piece serves a specific purpose:

Truth combats lies
Righteousness protects against accusation
Peace provides stability
Faith quenches doubt and fear
Hope of salvation guards against discouragement
God's Word is an offensive weapon against Satan's schemes

Putting on the armor: This is done through prayer and reliance on the Holy Spirit.

6. Living by faith is crucial for defeating Satan's strategies

Faith always gives glory to God, for faith confesses that man is unable to accomplish anything and that only God can do it.

Faith is the foundation of victory. It involves:

Trusting God's character and promises
Relying on God's power, not human effort
Persevering in difficult circumstances

Four tests of genuine faith:

Seeking God's glory, not self-glory
Willingness to wait on God's timing
Alignment with God's Word
Experiencing joy and peace in believing

Cultivating faith: This requires:

Regular study of God's Word
Obedience to biblical principles
Exercising faith in daily decisions
Learning from the examples of faithful believers in Scripture

7. Satan operates through an organized demonic army

There is only one devil, but there are many demons.

Understanding demonic forces is crucial. Key points:

Demons are fallen angels who rebelled with Satan
They possess intelligence, emotions, and will
Demons are organized under Satan's leadership

Demonic activity includes:

Temptation to sin
Deception and lies
Physical and mental oppression
Counterfeit spiritual experiences

Resisting demonic influence: Believers should:

Be aware of demonic realities without obsession
Exercise authority in Christ over demonic forces
Rely on the Holy Spirit's power for discernment and victory

8. The local church is a battleground for spiritual warfare

Satan knows that if he can get a pastor proud of his preaching, a Sunday school teacher proud of his class's growth, or a church officer proud of his experience and leadership, then Satan has a foothold from which to launch his attack.

Satan targets church life. Areas of attack include:

Leadership (through pride or false teaching)
Worship (through formalism or fanaticism)
Fellowship (through division and unforgiveness)
Ministry (through discouragement or misdirection)

Common tactics in church warfare:

Infiltration by false believers
Promotion of unbiblical teachings
Stirring up conflicts and divisions
Distracting from true spiritual priorities

Maintaining church health: This requires:

Sound biblical teaching and discernment
Spirit-led worship and ministry
Cultivation of genuine Christian love and unity
Regular prayer for protection and spiritual growth

9. Putting on the armor of God requires persistent prayer

Put on the gospel armor, Each piece put on with prayer.

Prayer is the key to spiritual victory. Effective prayer in spiritual warfare is:

Persevering - praying at all times
Balanced - including various aspects of prayer
Spirit-empowered - relying on the Holy Spirit's guidance
Watchful - remaining alert to spiritual realities

Steps for putting on the armor through prayer:

Acknowledge God's provision for victory
By faith, put on each piece of armor
Ask for God's help to live out the spiritual realities represented by the armor

Maintaining a prayerful stance: This involves:

Developing a consistent prayer life
Praying throughout the day, not just in set times
Being sensitive to the Holy Spirit's promptings
Interceding for others in spiritual battles

Last updated: April 23, 2025

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FAQ

What's "The Strategy of Satan: How to Detect and Defeat Him" about?

Focus on Spiritual Warfare: The book is a guide for Christians on how to recognize and combat the strategies of Satan in their lives.
Four Old Testament Examples: It uses the experiences of four Old Testament figures who had direct confrontations with Satan to illustrate key points.
Targets and Weapons: The book discusses the targets Satan aims at, the weapons he uses, and the purposes he wants to achieve.
Defensive Strategies: It provides insights into the defenses God has provided for believers to protect themselves against Satan's attacks.

Why should I read "The Strategy of Satan: How to Detect and Defeat Him"?

Practical Guidance: The book offers practical advice for Christians who are serious about their spiritual warfare.
Biblical Foundation: It is deeply rooted in Scripture, providing a solid biblical basis for understanding and combating Satan's strategies.
Personal Experience: The author, Warren W. Wiersbe, shares insights from his own life and ministry, adding a personal touch to the teachings.
Spiritual Growth: Reading this book can help deepen your faith and enhance your understanding of spiritual warfare.

What are the key takeaways of "The Strategy of Satan: How to Detect and Defeat Him"?

Satan's Targets: Satan aims at the mind, body, will, and heart/conscience of believers.
Satan's Weapons: He uses lies, suffering, pride, and accusations to achieve his purposes.
God's Defenses: Believers have the inspired Word of God, the imparted grace of God, the indwelling Spirit of God, and the interceding Son of God as their defenses.
Living by Faith: The book emphasizes the importance of living by faith and not giving Satan a foothold in your life.

What are the best quotes from "The Strategy of Satan: How to Detect and Defeat Him" and what do they mean?

"You are not fighting for victory, but from victory, for Jesus Christ has already defeated Satan!" This quote emphasizes the believer's position of strength in Christ, highlighting that the battle is already won.
"The truths in these pages will do you no good unless they are put into practice." This stresses the importance of applying the book's teachings in daily life for them to be effective.
"Satan enjoys seeing Christians get a head knowledge of victory without a heart experience." It warns against superficial understanding and encourages a deep, experiential faith.
"If Satan can get you to believe a lie, then he can begin to work in your life to lead you into sin." This highlights the power of deception and the importance of truth in spiritual warfare.

How does Warren W. Wiersbe suggest detecting Satan's strategies?

Scriptural Awareness: Wiersbe emphasizes the importance of knowing Scripture to recognize Satan's lies and deceptions.
Understanding Satan's Targets: By knowing that Satan targets the mind, body, will, and heart, believers can be more vigilant.
Recognizing Satan's Weapons: Awareness of Satan's use of lies, suffering, pride, and accusations helps in identifying his strategies.
Spiritual Discernment: Developing spiritual discernment through prayer and the Holy Spirit is crucial for detecting Satan's tactics.

What defensive strategies does Warren W. Wiersbe recommend in "The Strategy of Satan"?

Armor of God: Wiersbe advises putting on the full armor of God as described in Ephesians 6:10-18 for spiritual protection.
Prayer and Scripture: Regular prayer and meditation on Scripture are essential for maintaining spiritual strength and awareness.
Faith and Obedience: Living by faith and obeying God's Word are key defenses against Satan's attacks.
Community and Accountability: Engaging with a community of believers for support and accountability is also recommended.

How does "The Strategy of Satan" address the concept of spiritual warfare?

Battlefield of the Mind: The book explains that the mind is a primary battlefield where Satan plants lies and deceptions.
Spiritual Armor: It details the spiritual armor that believers must wear to protect themselves from Satan's attacks.
Role of Faith: Faith is portrayed as a crucial element in standing firm against spiritual attacks.
Victory in Christ: The book reassures believers that victory is already secured through Christ's triumph over Satan.

What role does faith play in "The Strategy of Satan"?

Foundation of Defense: Faith is the foundation upon which all other defenses are built, enabling believers to trust in God's promises.
Shield Against Doubts: It acts as a shield against doubts and fears that Satan tries to instill in believers.
Source of Strength: Faith provides the strength needed to stand firm in the face of spiritual attacks.
Connection to God: It maintains the believer's connection to God, ensuring access to divine power and guidance.

How does Warren W. Wiersbe explain Satan's use of lies in "The Strategy of Satan"?

Deception as a Tool: Lies are Satan's primary tool for deception, leading believers away from God's truth.
Targeting the Mind: By attacking the mind with lies, Satan aims to distort the believer's understanding of God's will.
Counteracting with Truth: The book emphasizes the importance of counteracting lies with the truth of Scripture.
Impact on Behavior: Believing lies can lead to sinful behavior, making it crucial to discern and reject falsehoods.

What insights does "The Strategy of Satan" provide about Satan's attack on the home?

Disruption of Roles: Satan seeks to disrupt the God-given roles within the family, leading to disorder and conflict.
Moral Impurity: He tempts spouses into moral impurity, threatening the sanctity of marriage.
Busy Lifestyles: The book warns against allowing busy lifestyles to detract from family unity and spiritual focus.
Spiritual Leadership: It stresses the importance of spiritual leadership within the home to counteract Satan's attacks.

How does "The Strategy of Satan" address the role of the church in spiritual warfare?

Unity and Discernment: The church must maintain unity and discernment to effectively combat Satan's influence.
Worship and Teaching: Proper worship and sound teaching are essential to prevent Satan from infiltrating the church.
Leadership and Accountability: Strong, biblically grounded leadership is crucial for guiding the church in spiritual warfare.
Community Support: The church provides a supportive community for believers to strengthen their defenses against Satan.

What practical steps does Warren W. Wiersbe recommend for living by faith in "The Strategy of Satan"?

Daily Devotions: Engaging in daily devotions and prayer to strengthen faith and maintain spiritual focus.
Scripture Memorization: Memorizing Scripture to have God's Word readily available in times of temptation.
Active Obedience: Practicing active obedience to God's commands as a demonstration of faith.
Trust in God's Promises: Relying on God's promises for guidance and assurance in spiritual battles.