A Peek at the Devil’s Playbook

By David Faust

It was a scandal that rocked Major League Baseball. The Houston Astros used a video camera in the center field seats to steal signs from opposing catchers, and players or team staffers banged on trash cans so the batter would know in advance what pitch to expect. Sign-stealing is a time-honored tradition in baseball, but doing so with electronic devices goes beyond what anyone considers fair. Opponents are easier to defeat if you know ahead of time what plays they plan to run. 

Life isn’t a ballfield, but it is a battleground; and in spiritual warfare, the stakes are high. Thanks to God’s Word, we get an advance look at the devil’s playbook.  

We Know His Schemes 

The apostle Paul reminded the Christians in Corinth “that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:10-11, New International Version). The devil isn’t wise (like God is), but he is a crafty strategic planner who tries to outwit us. 

Thankfully, we know what Satan is up to. Paul says, “We are not unaware of his schemes.” The Greek word translated “schemes” (noemata) can be translated “mental perceptions,” “thoughts,” or “purposes.”  

We know the devil’s gameplan. Scripture gives us the inside scoop about several tools in Satan’s toolbox—schemes he employs in his efforts to thwart God’s purposes. 

Satan’s Favorite Plays 

If we peek at the devil’s playbook, what will we see?  

Deception 

Deceit is Satan’s “native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).  

He lied in the garden of Eden by casting doubt on God’s clear warnings and good intentions, asking Eve, “‘Did God really say . . . ?’” (Genesis 3:1) and insisting, “You will not certainly die” (3:4).  

He “masquerades as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:15), faking goodness to advance his evil agenda.  

He uses greedy false teachers to “secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them” and to exploit people with “fabricated stories” (2 Peter 2:1, 3). 

We counteract the devil’s lies by doing what Jesus did. Rely on Scripture and say, “It is written” (Matthew 4:1-11). Embrace a ruthless commitment to honesty. Reject lies, large or small. Unmask phoniness and say no to Pharisaism. Keep “the belt of truth buckled around your waist” (Ephesians 6:14). “In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech” (Titus 2:7-8). Jesus promised, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). 

Discouragement 

If the devil can’t deceive you, he will try to demoralize you by filling your mind with negative thoughts: 

• “I’m hurting, but no one notices or cares.” 
• “Serving God is pointless. My ministry makes no difference.” 
• “My problems are too complicated to be resolved.” 
• “There is no hope.” 

Discouragement plagued some of God’s most effective servants. Moses, Job, and  

Elijah suffered severe disappointment and self-doubt, but the Lord used them to accomplish great things. The apostle Paul endured harsh opposition and an unrelenting thorn in the flesh that he called a tormenting “messenger of Satan” (2 Corinthians 12:7). Yet he insisted, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). 

Remember, “the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3).  

Division 

If Satan can’t deceive you or discourage you, he will try to isolate you and separate you from other believers. 

Jesus prayed for unity (John 17:20-23), but division delights the devil. 

Unity is good and pleasant, like soothing, sweet-smelling oil (Psalm 133:1-2). Division stinks and turns people away. 

Unity allows the church to operate as a high-functioning body where every part contributes to the health of the whole (1 Corinthians 12:12-26). Division sickens the church and weakens its influence.  

Unity keeps believers focused on the main thing (the message and mission of Christ), but Satan tries to distract us with “foolish and stupid arguments” that “produce quarrels” (2 Timothy 2:23-26). 

To combat division, consider Paul’s approach in 1 Corinthians chapter one. Teach about God’s grace and faithfulness (1:1-9). Confront disunity directly (1:10-12). Keep Christ central (1:13-17). Let no other message distract from preaching about the cross (1:18-25). Remind yourself and others to be humble before God (1:26-31). 

Death  

Satan destroys life through violence, hatred, murder, and suicide, but Christ came “to destroy the devil’s work” (1 John 3:8) “so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” (Hebrews 2:14-15). 

If Satan considers death his ultimate plan of attack, the Lord has his own secret weapon: resurrection. “The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4), for the one who dwells within you boldly proclaims, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).  

It’s good to know the devil’s gameplan, but it helps even more to keep another book in mind. If your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life, none of Satan’s schemes will prevail over you. 

Dave Faust serves as contributing editor for Christian Standard. Previously, he served as editor of The Lookout. Dave presently serves as senior associate minister with East 91^st Street Christian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana.