The Bible warns us to be watchful, for the enemy is always looking for someone to devour. Metaphorically speaking, the devil won’t physically eat you – but he does want to destroy everything in your life. From your physical health to your mental strength, the enemy is waiting and watching to devour you and everything God has planned for your life. There are strategic tricks the enemy uses to ensure you do not become all that God has created you to be, and you should be aware of them.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

1 Peter 5:8

As a Christian, you must understand that the enemy the bible is referring to is not a physical enemy – but an unseen spirit that has made it his agenda to make life hard for those who love Jesus Christ. The scriptures tell us that our war isn’t against flesh and blood, but against wicked spirits (Ephesians 6:12). Our job is to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:11) and fight against anything the enemy may throw our way. When you resist the tricks the enemy uses and submit to God instead, the devil has no choice but to get away from you (James 4:7).

When you are aware of the enemy’s tricks, he cannot catch you off guard.

In basketball, the coach develops offensive and defensive plays for his team to learn and play to beat the opposing team. The defense team’s primary job is to keep the other team from scoring. The offense’s primary job is to move the ball down the court and score. I don’t know much about sports, but I understand working on a winning team. When it comes to Christianity, you are on the winning team – Team Jesus.

Your primary job in your faith journey is to play offense and defense against the enemy, who always wants to defeat you. Your defensive and offensive plays keep the enemy from scoring in your life. By praying, keeping scriptures in your heart, and surrounding yourself with other faithful Christians, you are strengthening your heart and spirit – giving yourself a better chance to win.

7 Tricks the Enemy Uses Against Christians

1. Distractions. A distraction is anyone or anything that takes your attention away from living for God. Distractions can come in many forms, such as your career, friends, habits, desires, or romantic relationships. The enemy can turn anything into a distraction if you allow him to. Fight distractions by making God the #1 priority of your life.

2. Double-Mindedness. A double-minded person is someone who is constantly living in a state of compromise. If you are a double-minded Christian, sometimes you live for God, while other times you live for your own desires.

The enemy wants us to believe that double-mindedness is OK, when scriptures clearly tell us that a double-minded person is unstable (James 1:8). The desire to fulfill your own wants can derail you from the plans God has for you. Fight double-mindedness by keeping the truth of God’s word in your heart and mind.

3. Deception. When I think of the devil, the first thing that comes to my mind is how he decieved Eve in Genesis 3:13. Deception is the act of concealing or misrepresenting the truth, and that is what our enemy is best known for.

When the enemy wants to persuade you to go in the opposite direction of God, he will use lies to cause you to begin to contradict what you know as the Truth. Spiritual deception is all around, so remain on guard against any possible tricks the enemy may use to deceive you.

4. Detractors. A detractor is someone who is overly critical, puts you down, or judges you unfairly. As a person who professes Christianity, you may have encountered detractors before. For example, if you are proposing ideas at work, your detractor is the person who finds fault with everything you say.

The enemy uses these type of people to question or second-guess your life in Christ. Christians can also become detractors, causing others to fall away from God. We must be mindful of the company we keep, and how we treat others. To fight against detractors, be mindful of the company you keep, and how you treat others.

5. Discouragement. Discouragement is a one of the trickier schemes of the enemy because discouragement can happen easily and often. To be discouraged can be described as a loss of confidence or enthusiasm. When you become discouraged, it is a big deal to God. He cares so much about you that the bible has many scriptures about why you should not become discouraged, but instead how you should put your hope in Him. The moment you become discouraged, the enemy can use your lack of confidence to attack your emotions and mental well-being.

When you become discouraged, it is a big deal to God. He cares so much about you that the bible has many scriptures about why you should not become discouraged, but instead how you should put your hope in Him. The moment you become discouraged, the enemy can use your lack of confidence to attack your emotions and mental well-being.

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and I will help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10

6. Doubt. Another way the enemy likes to trick Christians is to cause them to doubt God. Everything we believe as Christians is based on what God says. If the enemy can get you to doubt God, it can radically shake your foundation as a believer. Faith is believing God will, which is the direct opposite of doubt.

We should always have faith that God will do what He said He would do. The Bible tells us that you can’t please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6) and that a person who doubts shouldn’t expect to receive anything from Him (James 1:7). To fight feelings of doubt, be honest with yourself and God. Pray and ask Him to give you answers to how you are feeling.

7. Disbelief. Disbelief is the inability or refusal to accept that something is true or real. The central point of Christianity is the belief in Jesus as the Son of God, and the enemy wants to disrupt that belief. One of the biggest tricks the enemy uses is to cause God’s children to lose their belief in Him.

When bad things happen, the enemy’s uses unfortunate circumstances to attack the faith and conviction of believers. If you’re struggling with disbelief or doubt, don’t stay quiet! Ask for help finding answers from someone you love and trust.