The Enemy is crafty. And yes, we have an enemy who is not of flesh and blood, but of Spirit (See Ephesians 6:10-20 below). And he has been using the same tricks from the beginning, because that is what brought Him down. You see, Pride is the first sin. And it is the Sin of making one's self equal with God, and, thus, putting gods before the one true God. Isaiah 14 puts it thus:
12“How you are fallen from heaven,
O Day Star, son of Dawn!
How you are cut down to the ground,
you who laid the nations low!
13You said in your heart,
‘I will ascend to heaven;
above the stars of God
I will set my throne on high;
I will sit on the mount of assembly
in the far reaches of the north;c
14I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.’
15But you are brought down to Sheol,
to the far reaches of the pit.
Adam and Eve wanted to be like God, so they ate the fruit. Nimrod wanted to sit above the heavens, so he built a tower, and since then, it has been a "hold my drink" contest to try and outdo one another in making ourselves into a "little g" god. That is the essence of sin and transgression throughout the scriptures: to chase one's self, and to follow after things or people that enable me to feed my inner most desires.
BUT, Jesus, knowing our weakness, died for us anyway. In the desert, Satan tried to tempt Him using the same old tricks, and Jesus, knowing Scripture, and armed with a desire to do the will of His father beat down the attempt. It's almost as if He knew what He was doing when He crafted the Word as He did. So, let me conclude by encouraging you to do this: hide the words of God in your heart, and make doing His will the priority. That is the only way to combat the same old tricks that tickle our desires and lead us into the wrong we commit. This is not a message for you, it's for me too. It's time to let go, and let God do His work through us.
Ephesians 6:10-20
Enflish Standard Version (ESV)
The Whole Armor of God
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
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