Lies of the Enemy

There is an awe-inspiring story of God's victory for his people in 2 Kings 18 and 19. I would encourage you to read it. These chapters contain the story of King Hezekiah. Hezekiah was a good king in Judah, one of the best:

Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. He held fast to the LORD and did not cease to follow him; he kept the commands the LORD had given Moses (2 Kings 18.5-6).

More often than not, such followers of God are the targets of Satan's strategies. In the case of Hezekiah, Satan used Sennacherib, king of Assyria, to lie to the king of Judah. As we look at the strategy of Sennacherib, we can learn and be prepared to face the lies of Satan. In the story, we see how Sennacherib "lied" to Hezekiah:

1. My many representatives will intimidate and overwhelm you.
2. Your strategy and strength are empty words.
3. Your former allies won't help you.
4. You have displeased God.
5. I'll "bargain" with you (derisively).
6. The LORD himself sent me; I'm doing God's work, exacting his judgment against you.
7. I will paralyze all your friends, allies, and fellow servants.
8. Forget God and his city and follow me to a better life.
9. No god can save from my power, not even yours.

As I pondered those lies, I recognized many of them - for Satan has used them against me! And, he will try to use them against you. But we can fight the lies of Satan with the truth of God's Word! Remember this:

1. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them" (2 Kings 6.16).
2. Our words are powerful! We overcome by the word of our testimony (Revelation 12.11).
3. Even if friends deserted us, "The Lord stood at my side and gave me strength" (2 Timothy 4.17).
4. "I know that you are pleased with me for my enemy does not triumph over me" (Psalm 41.11).
5. "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast" (1 Peter 5.8-10). And, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Come near to God and he will come near to you" (James 4.7-8a).
6. "Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11.14).
7. "It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose" (Philippians 2.13).
8. We are "looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God" (Hebrews 11.10).
9. "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1 John 4.4).

Check out tomorrow's blog (from chapter 19) and learn more strategies to overcoming the attacks and lies of the enemy!

Have a wonderful and victorious Wednesday in Jesus Christ!