Post by skybluu on Jul 27, 2007 18:20:02 GMT 10
Satan is forever looking for an opportunity to ambush the believer. In fact, he always waits for just the right moment to strike. No verse in Scripture better reveals this insight than Luke 4:13, "And when the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from Jesus until an opportune time." Timing is everything in Satan's strategy.
Satan does have an opportune time. And because God is the only one with true creative power, Satan does not vary his strategy and he always tips his hand. But because we are slow learners, we allow him to defeat us again and again when we fail to recognize his opportune times.
If Satan saved his worst temptations until Jesus had been in the wilderness fasting for 40 days, why should we expect any other strategy for us? He will wait for our weakest moments to bring out the worst of his dirty work.
But hitting us when we're weak is just one of his strategies. Following are five of the most opportune times for Satan's attack:
Immediately after a great blessing or victory from the Lord
Immediately before a great blessing or victory from the Lord
When you are physically and emotionally drained
When you are waiting on the Lord
When you are in the house of God
Satan comes at you when you are vulnerable, and when you are open. Whether you have opened yourself to joy or to expectation in the Lord or are feeling vulnerable and drained due to your circumstances, Satan finds an opening for his sabotage.
But by knowing Satan's tactics -- his opportune time -- you can prepare your heart and your mind in advance. No wonder the Apostle James tells us, "Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7, NIV).
When you know Satan's opportune times for attack, you will know how to defeat him and how to live the victorious life.
Michael Youssef, Ph.D.