Satan’s Death Trap
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12
I have often wondered how Satan could deceive the entire world. What has been his tactical positional approach, his strategic plan, his methodical process, and his purpose? Could it be that his agenda is to cause as many as possible to totally depend on their carnal thinking, and completely separate them from their spiritual oneness with the Holy Spirit? Is it because he knows he has already won the victory over our flesh but not our spirit?
He knows that the flesh is self-serving, always needing affirmation, and confirmation due to its dead nature, which wars against God. If he can keep us fleshly minded and not spiritual-minded; using his deceptive tools of pride, arrogance, and selfishness, unbeknownst to us we become his subconscious partner.
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:14
Satan hates God and he hates God’s creation. His plan is to destroy man by getting us to think more highly of ourselves than we should. If we are ignorant of his devices and how he operates, we become his slaves. We then are unable to recognize his craftiness, giving him the power to take advantage of us. This is why the Father desires that we walk in humility and esteem others higher than ourselves.
“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” 2 Corinthians 2:11
It is not normal for us to sit quietly and contemplate areas in our lives that we may be deceived by Satan. This takes humility, and spiritual discernment, understanding that Satan’s goal is to take advantage of us.
Just think when a team is playing basketball or football, they have a playbook. This book is to be kept completely confidential. The other team should not know the plans of the opposing team. The plans are supposed to be kept secret so that the team can ultimately DEFEAT the opposition. The opposing team should be completely ignorant of our playbook and what’s in it. They can know that the playbook exists, but it is the job of the coach to make sure that the playbook does not fall into the wrong hands.
The same goes for covert operations in a war. The enemy is not to know what the other country has up its sleeve in regards to its strategic attack plans. This is a basic rule in war.
So it is with Satan, but let’s give him more credit than that. His playbook is far more superior than ours. Remember, Satan has been studying human nature since the very beginning. And he has only gotten better at it with time. Six thousand years and billions of people later have given him an enormous amount of time to practice on mankind.
His tools are cunning, well polished, and have been refined in a cesspool of darkness over the many years, designed to appear as light, appealing to the carnal mind of his enemy, you. For us to think that we have any power on our own to contend with Satan is utterly preposterous. Even more preposterous is to think that we can’t be deceived by his tactics.
The word of God has recorded many of Satan’s devices. If you look through the Old and New Testaments, you can see many examples of how Satan brought people down. Be not ignorant of his devices. You should know the enemy and learn his strategic ways.
The more mature you become in the word of God the greater your discernment will become to his devices. We already know that Satan works through our fleshly lusts and desires, but let’s look at some more unforeseen ways that you would not likely suspect.
For example, Numerology has been a widespread practice since ancient times. It has a certain allure, even in modern society, because it claims to be able to accurately predict information on one's traits and future, or show patterns and codes you wouldn’t otherwise understand. Many are now using numerology to predict their own lives or using it in an effort to decode the Bible. However, are these practices something God would approve of? Can they be used for fun, or does that cross a line? I use this example because Satan knows that words like witchcraft and sorcery have become taboo, and many of us would shy away from anything connected to such.
“When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God. For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the Lord thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.” Deuteronomy 18:9-14
The practical inference of using numbers or science can and will create a void between you and the Holy Spirit, who was given to us as a teacher; a conduit between us and the Father. When the power of numbers takes preference over the power of the Holy Spirit it grieves the Father. Or when one seeks wisdom from these entities as opposed to seeking and strengthening their relationship with the Holy Spirit, they unwillingly disavow the purpose of this gift.
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:12-16
Satan’s number one goal is to prevent us from being led by the spirit, he would rather for us to be led by our cognitive mind which feeds our ego. The reason why people are eager to hearken to these things is that they bring recognition to one's self. Another word for the need of recognition is respect, everyone desires to be respected/recognized.
“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:5-8
One of the uses of the study of numerology is using numbers to interpret a person’s character or their divine future. When it is used in this way it is strictly forbidden by the Bible. There is not a single piece of scripture where numerology is taught or approved of. Rather, divination and the like, which numerology falls under because it is predictive in nature, is repeatedly condemned throughout the Bible.
“Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.” Acts 19:19
It is the power of the Holy Spirit that gives us the ability to know the things of God and allows us to know his prophetic plans for our life. However, we must strengthen and perfect our relationship with Him; the Holy Spirit.
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
“For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.” Zechariah 10:2
Many may think that the act of looking at astrological charts, turning to mediums for guidance, and the like are just harmless forms of entertainment. The Israelites often made the same mistake and turned from God, although God clearly warned them about this.
There is only one place that may have some legitimate play in numerology, and that is the mark of the beast in Revelation 13. However, one piece of scripture doesn’t give us further authority to start messing around with other numbers in the Bible. When we add up Bible Verses in an effort to find hidden meanings, we are taking authority away from God’s Word.
Using numerology for the purpose of proving that God's Word is divine, is an admission to a lack of faith in the Word itself. Fulfilled prophecy, historical accuracy, and longevity are more than enough evidence that God’s Word is true. The biggest evidence that God's Word is breathed out by God is the fact that God's Word breathes life into those who hear it by itself. This divine relationship between the person and the Holy Spirit which is given to enlighten the living word results in an experience that is irreplaceable.
When people try and convince you that numerology is of importance, remember that you should lean on God instead. There is no need to try and use numbers to predict your future or decode some secret meanings in the Bible.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17