Unmasking Deception

“That no advantage may be gained over us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes” -2 Corinthians 2:11

The Bible warns us that Satan (the devil) is like a roaring lion who walks around seeking who he may desire. Whether we like it or not, Satan is a real personality who is looking for ways to destroy our lives. Since the Bible frequently warns us that this sinister enemy, we should know a few things:

• How he operates
• How to identify his attacks at the very beginning
• How to block and stop his assaults
• How to prevent repeat attacks from happening in the future

In the above verse, Paul wrote something that offers profound insight. Paul clearly understood that Satan was constantly seeking ways to take advantage of people.

Rick Renner a Bible teacher who is very well recognized as his understanding of the original Greek language point out in an article I was reading that the word “advantage” is “pleonekteo” which means to outwit, trick or to take advantage of someone through some sinister or sneaky means. These words from the name “pleonekeo” denotes a desire to have more, more, and more.

Because Paul used this word about Satan, we are alerted to the fact that Satan desperately wants something in his control. He wants us, and he will use any method necessary to take advantage of us, dominate us, and ultimately take us hostages. That is why Paul said, “we are not ignorant of his devices.

When you have an enemy who hates you this much and wants to destroy you, you can’t afford to be ignorant. Paul knew that satan wanted to destroy the gospel, that he wanted to hinder and even stop what was essential.

We need to understand the way, Satan operates. We need to be able to discern whether we are facing a human problem or a planned attack from Satan.

We can’t just shut our eyes and hope the problem will work itself out. If it is an attack from Satan and we do nothing to stop it, it will not go away and will increase and become intense. That’s why being able to recognize Satan’s game is so important.

Renner says, the word ignorant in 2 Corinthians 2:11 is the Greek word “agnoeo” refers to ignorance or lacking certain facts. However it also includes making mistakes or errors due to lack of understanding. An example is an uneducated person who has a lack of understanding, due to lack of understanding.

Because people lack understanding, their conclusions are faulty, and misguiding. We get the word “agnoeo” from agnostic, it is the official name to describe people who claim they don’t know what they believe. So if someone claims to be agnostic, they are literally claiming to be ignorant.

An example is being diagnosed with a deadly disease and thinking it is sent from God, because they are ignorant. Satan not God is the author of sickness and disease. This ignorance mistakenly concludes that their sickness must be God’s will for their life. This ignorance is devastating and can lead to premature death. It is dangerous to remain ignorant about how Satan operates.

Paul was definitely not in the dark about the Satan, and Satan found it more difficult to take advantage of him.

We need to learn these things because we face problems with people, government leaders and even friends.

Paul was thrown into prison, cast into the sea, beaten during moments of persecution. Traps were constantly being set for his capture, and he had to be on the look out for people who tried to use him, or take advantage of him. Paul couldn’t afford to be in the dark spiritually about the way Satan operated.

And neither can we.

So we shouldn’t shut our eyes and ignore the fact that satan wants to cause our downfall. Instead, we should open our eyes and allow the Holy Spirit to teach us to recognize Satan’s operations so we won’t fall prey to him in the future.