A Look at Satan’s (Not So) Secret Playbook

by Pastor Kerry Krissel
SYNOPSIS

INTRO: In the first of a three-part series, we look at a few ways Satan works against those who follow
Jesus. He is more clever, more experienced at the art of war, and smarter than any of us. He will win if
we stand up to him alone, without God and without knowledge of his schemes. His deceitful trickery is as
elusive as it is effective. Fortunately, he has an (ancient) playbook and we can pick up on some of his
more common strategies. How are you at noticing (and countering) his devious methods?
KEY VERSES: Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Corinthians 2:11; 1 Peter 5:8; John 8:44; John 10:10.
PROGRESSION:
Satanic Methodologies (Playbook)
Satan Makes Good Use Of, 1) Misdirection

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Ephesians 6:10-18 tells us to put on all the armor God gave us when the enemy brings the fight to our
doorstep. Every piece is needed both for defense and offense, to protect our ground and to take new
ground for God’s kingdom. But there is a mental piece to this warfare as well. Satan is a crafty bugger.
He is smart, experienced, determined, deceitful, wicked, ruthless, heartless, and unfair. Did I mention
deceptive?
Before taking a look at the first of nine methodologies, consider this. Players and sports teams regularly
scout their opponents before going against them in an athletic battle. They want to know their strengths
and weaknesses. They try to ascertain how they historically responded in various scenarios. Are they
prone to push harder or pull back when winning or losing? Do they have blind spots? Do they favor
certain maneuvers to protect weaker aspects of their game? Knowing the answers to such questions can
give one the winning edge over the adversary. This is precisely what I am attempting to do for you. I offer
a little forewarning as help to get the jump on his devious advances. I do not know all his schemes any
more than I would claim to be an expert at defeating him. But I have read about, discovered, observed,
and experienced all nine of these methods of deceptive manipulation that Satan deploys to get the
advantage over Christ-followers.
Satanic Methodologies
The armor God gave us is designed to help us stand rock solid and immovable against Satan’s
“schemes.” “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all STRATEGIES of the
devil” (v. 11). The Greek for “strategies” is the word we get methodologies (μεθόδεια = methodeia) from.
It highlights the way Satan couples his clever wisdom, several millennia of experience, and his resulting
prowess. How cleverly he mulls over and brews up (devised) ways to trick us into doing his bidding.
These are specific and well-planned, conscious procedures he uses – perfected over the years – that
have a high return rate. It is some of his “dark magic” that is not magic at all! Staying alert to these
methods exposes his insidious way.
I am talking about getting into Satan’s head. Well, maybe not that up close and personal. But personal
enough to understand how he thinks about humanity and how much he hates Christians. How foul,
destructive, double-crossing, violent, wicked, and malevolent he is so that we are not taken unawares
when he strikes out. Even the most ungodly and vile among us do not think and act as godless, and with
such god-hating motivation, as Satan and his demonic horde. All who have to fight him are called to
know how he thinks and what strategies he deploys so we are ready for his attacks. If you know how
your enemy thinks and what their favorite war tactics are, you can get one step ahead of them and be
ready when they come at you.

Now, merge the command to stand firm against these methodologies with this part of a verse:
2 Corinthians 2:11   …So that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.
The subject Paul addresses in the Corinthian church is forgiveness, but his concern is universal. The
term he uses this time is different but similar in meaning to “strategies.” It again speaks of Satan’s
thoughts and reasoning as the product of a deeply intellectual process. Paul tells us not to let him
outsmart us with his clever schemes. How? Apparently, we can be familiar with these devices and his
guile so that he doesn’t surprise or trick us. We can scout out his team and tactics and be acquainted
enough to stop some of his plots.
Before we look at this first method, let’s remember Peter’s warning:
1 Peter 5:8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion,
looking for someone to devour.
Oh yeah, he is lurking close by (probably not Stan himself but one of his minions) just waiting for an
opportunity to pounce. An occasion that he has often created through his strategies and schemes. He
roars accusations and even whispers delicate and tasty lies if he thinks it will give him the chance to
make a meal of our lives.
I am no expert but I have felt his teeth sinking into my flesh a time or twenty! I have experienced his
attacks just as you have. Additionally, as a pastor, I have counseled plenty who are trying to stay off his
dinner plate. Here is some of what I have learned.

Part 1: Satan’s Playbook – 9 Tactics Satan Commonly Uses

1. Satan makes good use of misdirection. Have you ever wondered why Satan relies so heavily on
deception that he would earn the title, “Father of Lies?” Here is part of the answer.
John 8:44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he
does. H 1e was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no
truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Simply, he hates the truth (and the One who is true). He cannot help himself. Deception is in his
DNA. If his lips are moving, he is lying! Even when he uses the truth, his intention is wicked and
misleading. Beyond his character, since he is so committed to deception, it is in every move he
makes. But that works well for him for a simple fact: Satan cannot take ground from the Christian. He
cannot just establish leverage because he decides to. He cannot gain our cooperation or create
influence without our help. He has to steal our permission. The only way Satan can exert his
diabolical influence on us is if he gains it through our cooperation. The only way he gets ground
against us is if we give it to him, knowingly or unknowingly. Simply agreeing with him gives him a
toehold. Continuous agreement turns it into a foothold. Eventually our allegiance with him builds it
into a stronghold. Sin, rebellion, immorality, untruths, half-truths, God-replacing addiction, self-
direction, self-dependence, inordinate self-interest, any evil or choice that leaves God out, is collusion
with the enemy. Satan’s number one tactic is deception. The trouble with deception, as I so smartly
like to say, is that it is deceptive! It covers its own tracks by the very nature of its being. Which is
again why this wise old dragon keeps it close at hand.
For more of Satan’s most common methodologies, read the next blog.
Part 2: Satan’s Playbook:
Satan Makes Good Use Of:
2) Gaslighting

3) Truth
4) Open Windows and Closed Doors
5) Personal Pronouns