The Devil's Attacks Subtle and Obvious

The devil's tactics are stubborn oppression, manipulation, or constant confusion, subtle attacks that are denied later, and creating a spiritually hostile environment.

When we encounter these things with people we know, those people are controlled and manipulated by demons. Even if they are not possessed, they are influenced by demons, justifying their attacks with false thoughts and reasons placed there by the devil's minions.

1 Peter 5:7-9 "…7 Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.

James 4:7
"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
Ephesians 6:11-12 "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

 
1 John 3:8
"The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil."

The takeaway from all the verses is that when we encounter people who are rude, mean, and stubborn, we are really experiencing the influence of the devil on them. Yes, it is possible for someone to be like this because of their fleshly attitude, but it is still the influence of the devil placing thoughts in their minds that motivates them to act as they do.

Our culture as a whole encourages terse and disrespectful responses to intimidate those they wish to control, so the culture is also an influence on the way people act regularly.

 
John 10:10
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness."

The devil loves it when he can destroy family relationships, cause community division and promote anger for no good reason.

He managed to turn Eve against God when all God did for Eve was perfect and wonderful.

 
As human beings, we question ourselves when we do something with good in mind that is helpful, but are met with distrust and a temper tantrum, whether subtle or blatant, as though we did something wrong.

 
2 Timothy 4:17-18
"But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will rescue me from every evil action and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen."

Our response to what we encounter with people in the world ought to be one of kindness and patience, but never without discernment. It is important that we show respect and love to those who did not give us the same respect.

 
2 Corinthians 2:11
"in order that Satan should not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes."

The key to living the Christian life is to be different from those who do not know Christ. It doesn't matter what they do to us, except that it may be a test to see if we can rise above the abuse and remain the person we should be no matter how unkind or rude others are to us.

 
We know what the devil it attempting to do, that is to cause division and anger. We never have to respond in a vengeful way, we can leave room for God's chastisement.

 
Romans 12:18-20 "…18 If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head."

We are to be the opposite of the wicked person, returning love for their rudeness. Sometimes the best way to do this is to not respond at all. Allow your silence to be your answer.

 
Hebrews 10:30
"For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge His people.”

1 Peter 3:9
"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."

We must not expect or desire blessings from people, knowing that our reward for obedience to Him will be blessings from Him that is enough and the best.

 
When we are confident in the Lord and secure in knowing we did not retaliate, we will walk in freedom from guilt and strength to endure whatever the world has to offer.

 
Romans 12:19 "19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord."

The Word of God in Context, Nothing Else will Do!

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is called the Word, His Word is the very essence of Who He is and He never changes.

Those who ignore, negate, or change the Word of God are walking in rebellion, and yet most Christians today do this very thing.

 
I cannot count the number of times scriptures are taken out of context and given meaning from the cultural mind rather than what Christ said.

I have also seen people apply to Christians today what was given only to Israel in the Old Testament.

 
These things happen because people like to shape into their own image what God said rather than seeking Him for His truth.

 
2 Timothy 4:3 "…2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."

2 Peter 2:1-3
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them, the way of truth will be defamed. In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep."

If you want to know the truth about anything pertaining to God, read His word and ask Him; do not go to people for answers. God may bring others to clarify things, but do not seek them out for yourself.

 
Often, I have read a passage and, through prayer, God told me the meaning, then later someone else came along and confirmed what God already told me.

 
John 16:13-14 "13 However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you."

Notice in this passage, God tells us that the Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth, not men, and what we speak from the Holy Spirit will glorify God.

 
If we listen to a preacher and he brings attention to himself, while entertaining the people to be liked by them, then he glorifies himself. The Holy Spirit will always glorify God.

 
God said be prepared, this can only mean one thing, that we are in constant prayer and know the Word of God through continual Bible study, then we will be prepared when we are asked a question.

 
Matthew 28:19-20
"Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

We cannot go wrong when we are led by the Holy Spirit, pray and read God's Word.