Recognizing the Enemy and His Schemes

Introduction: Protecting the Sheep

Bruce:
All right, we’re back, and we’re here in this elder course. We’re starting to talk about what the elders do: protect the sheep.
But what is so important, before we dive more into that, is what we’re talking about right now — which is recognizing the enemy and seeing the strategies that he’s using.

Not Unaware of His Schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11)

Bruce:
One of my most challenging verses in Scripture is this one. Paul is writing to the Corinthian church. He had a really rather tenuous relationship with them. They had to work things out.

But what he writes is: What I have forgiven, if there’s anything to forgive, I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

Now, if you are working in a church, you’ve experienced this: people within your church at odds with each other, refusing to acknowledge the hurt that’s been inflicted — it will impact your church negatively.

In the very first church I pastored, that little, tiny church in Plainwell — God was giving us conversion growth. It was exciting, though exhausting, those four and a half years. Two families in the church, prominent families, the children got married. Unfortunately, before I got there, those two had a nasty separation and divorce.

One family handled it very well, offering forgiveness and saying, “Still want to love your daughter.” The other family was so hurt they couldn’t let go. They would stand outside the church and grab new people and say, “How rotten the people here treat them.”

I remember visiting with them. She looked at a young man we were trying to bring back to church — he had abandoned church and now was softening. She said, “If he comes here, I’ll be praying a semi-truck comes and hits him.”

Paul is saying something similar: there was hurt between him and the church. But he says, “Forgive… so it doesn’t become a tool for the enemy.”

That phrase: we are not unaware of his schemes. I’ll tell you, most of the time I think I’ve been unaware.

The Enemy’s Power

Bruce:
So what are his schemes? Scripture says:

• Power of pain and suffering. Paul, teaching about Jesus, said: He went around healing all who were under the power of the devil.
• Luke records Jesus healing a woman bound by Satan for 18 years.

Apparently Satan has some freedom in this fallen world to inflict pain and suffering. Now, discerning what’s Satan and what’s simply the broken world — viruses, bacteria, accidents — is hard to determine. But we know the enemy has the power to inflict.

• Power of death. Hebrews 2:14 says Jesus came to break the power of him who holds the power of death — that is, the devil.

Generally that means the fear of death, not that Satan can kill (that’s reserved for God). But fear can paralyze.

I remember visiting a man in California who was dying. He doubted whether he was saved. He had been an alcoholic, had hurt his family, and as death approached he was full of guilt. The enemy planted a seed of doubt: “You’re not saved.”

I’ve seen this in many people: Satan plants doubt as death nears.

Snares and Traps

Bruce:
Paul warns leaders not to fall into the devil’s trap or snare.

As a kid, I made snares for rabbits. A wire loop catches them; they fight, and eventually die. Paul uses that image: the enemy sets snares where we are tempted.

Especially in leadership, Satan wants to trap you. If he gets a leader, he drags many down with them.

Injection of Wicked Purposes

Bruce:
The devil can inject thoughts:

• The devil prompted Judas to betray Jesus.
• In Acts 5, Ananias and Sapphira lied about their gift. Peter said, How has Satan filled your heart?

He can enter people:

• John 13 — As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered him.

Scary stuff.

He can torment God’s servants.
Jesus said to Peter: Satan has asked to sift you like wheat.

That image — wheat shaken violently until kernels separate from chaff. Peter went through doubts, denials, and tears.

He can hinder God’s servants.
Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians: We wanted to come to you, but Satan blocked our way.

I’ve wondered what that looked like. In ministry I’ve felt it — trying to get permits for our church in Chino, California. Blocked again and again. Another pastor said, “God showed us it wasn’t Him — it was the enemy blocking.”

Abby:
Right.

Bruce:
Exactly. Sometimes opposition is more than city red tape.

Persecution and Testing

Bruce:
Revelation 2:10: The devil will put some of you in prison to test you.

Sometimes God allows us to be tested. It stretches faith. I’ve seen family members walk through that.

So: the extent of his power — pain, suffering, fear of death, snares, wicked injections, entering lives, torment, hindrance, persecution.

The Enemy’s Strategies

Bruce:
But beyond raw power, Satan has strategies.

• Subtlety. Genesis 3: The serpent was more subtle than all animals. He rarely shows up in a red mask. He uses fiery darts, guerrilla attacks.
• Division. 1 Corinthians 1:12 — Some follow Paul, some Apollos, some Peter. Division around personalities. I’ve seen it. Works really well for him.

Abby:
It works really well.

Bruce:
And often it’s around pastors or church plans. Conflict can splinter a church. Elders must guard against that.

• Siege and seasons of evil. Paul speaks in Ephesians 6 of “the day of evil.” Sometimes hardship comes in long seasons: cancer, loss, hardship that shakes families.
• Surprise attacks. Like fiery arrows shot into cities — they start fires inside unexpectedly. COVID was like that: sudden, devastating.

How to Respond in Warfare

Bruce:
So how do you respond? Be watchful, alert, prayerful.

I discipled new believers who suddenly faced problems — illness, finances, house repossession. The wife asked, “Is it always like this?” I said, “Often it is — the enemy’s last gasp to drag you back.”

We prayed — not vague prayers but commands in Jesus’ name:
“Break these chains. Withdraw, enemy. Go to Jesus, who will deal with you.”

I’ve seen division dissolve through such prayer. Always in Christ’s authority: All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Go make disciples.

Abby:
And if you’re an elder, you may feel overwhelmed by this long list. But remember: you don’t have a spirit of timidity. You have the Spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. The Holy Spirit is with you.

Bruce:
Yes. So don’t shrink back. Be bold. It’s Jesus’ church, His people, His sheep.

I remember inviting people after a service: “If you feel pressure from what you think is the enemy, come forward for prayer with the elders.” I didn’t expect anyone. Fifteen came.

People sense the attack, even if they can’t name it. Elders — you are called to see it, pray, and gain victory. And the church will thrive.

Conclusion

Bruce:
So elders — your role is not only shepherding but also guarding against the enemy’s schemes. Recognize his power. Learn his strategies. But always remember: greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

Abby:
Amen.

Bruce:
We’ll see you next time.