Like criminals, Satan plans out his attacks well in advance. Although not everyone is successful, each serves a purpose, trying the wear individuals out. Once a saint ventures out on their own without the armor of God, they become vulnerable regardless of how godly a man or woman may be. Essentially, Lucifer is waiting on the night to fall.
Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. – 1 Chronicles 21:1
Exhibit A, take a successful leader of Israel like King David in 1 Chronicles 21:1. Victorious in battle over a nation with giants, Philistine, David’s mind begins to ponder, “look what I’ve done.” David mistook God’s blessing for his own success. Instead of acknowledging the true source, Satan preyed on David’s thoughts, sowing seeds of pride. According to this passage, this idea gave birth to sin, James 1:13-15, just like Adam and Eve in the Garden.
Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” – Matthew 16:23
Exhibit B may even be more powerful, found in Matthew 16:13-23. Peter goes from the hero of this passage to the goat in the course of a few minutes. Perhaps, Peter’s mind also became corrupted, puffed up by the notion he was the only disciple who professed Jesus to be the Son of the Living God. Peter’s failure is exactly why the apostle Paul adds 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, making sure that all believers take their thoughts captive since he knows the devil is waiting on the night to fall.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 