Episode 84 - Satan's Tactics - Causing Us to Doubt

Satan employs three foundational tactics to cause us to sin and seperate us from God.  We've looked at two of these, pride and deception.  In this episode I look at how Satan uses doubt as the third element of the triad of tactics.

We'll look at what doubt is and how Satan knows that if he can cause us to doubt then we are well on our way to rejecting our Lord.

We'll also look at how we can fight against this tactic and remain faithful to our Master and gain the hope He offers.

Transcript

 Hello Friends, I’m your host Dr. Dave Laton and thank you for joining me in Our Journey to Hope.

 It is my desire through this podcast to bring you information about how to discover, sustain, or perhaps regain hope.  

 In this episode I continuing to look at tactics Satan uses against us to separate us from God.  We’ve discussed how Satan has three overall strategies, he wants to keep someone from becoming a child of God, or he wants to weaken or destroy our faith, or he wants to weaken or destroy our influence.  We said that he usually combines destroying or weakening our faith and influence.  We also stated that he uses various tactics to do this.  So far we’ve looked at pride and deception.  In this episode I want to look at how he uses doubt as a tactic.  

 We read in Genesis 3 about the first interaction Satan had with man.  In it we see he used this powerful weapon.  We’ll touch on that event again later in this episode.

 Since then, he has used doubt, pride, and deception as the foundation of virtually every attack against us.  We hear it frequently used by those trying to challenge the truth of scripture.  They seek to convince people that there are inconsistencies or even errors in scripture.   If Satan can get us to doubt God, then he knows that our doubt will drive us away from God. It will prevent someone from becoming a child of God, weaken or destroy faith, and weaken or destroy influence.

 But God asks us to trust and believe in His promises.  The one trait specifically mentioned in scripture that pleases God is faith.  In Hebrews 11:6 the writer states, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”  (Hebrews 11:6)

 Doubt means to be uncertain about something.  It can also be described as believing   that something may not be true, or something is unlikely.  It further means to not have confidence in someone or something.  And, it is described as a state of wavering between belief and disbelief and involves uncertainty or distrust.  Doubt brings into question some notion of a perceived reality.  In the context of our relationship with God, it causes us to doubt His faithfulness, His power in our lives, and ultimately, even our salvation. 

 There are two levels of doubt, Unbelief (or disbelief) that leads to rejection, denial, or faithlessness, and the second level, Uncertainty (lack of confidence) that leads to reservations, misgivings, skepticism, and questioning.   Uncertainty is probably the most common form of doubt we see.  Someone might say, “I believe in God, but I don’t believe he really cares for me.”

 As I mentioned earlier, Satan’s first recorded interaction with man is recorded in Genesis 3.  He caused Eve to doubt. First, he did not outright deny what Eve stated she had been told, rather he planted a question.  He asked, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”  Then he offered a half truth when he said, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”  

 In Satan’s statement, he initiated a dispute between what Eve said and what God said.  He followed up by planting the doubt in the form of a positive statement.  Note also that this he instilled an element of pride in Eve; “you will be like God”.   Adam and Eve did come to know the difference between good and evil, knowledge possessed by God.  Yet unlike making them pure and holy like God, it caused them to be sinful through their disobedience.   The created, in this case mankind, cannot be the creator, God.  What we must do instead is to focus on obeying God and becoming what he wants us to be.  He wants us to be like Christ.

 Satan’s tactic was successful in that it drove a wedge between God and his greatest creation.  This was the strategic objective of Satan.  Because of Satan’s success in bringing about sin in the form of direct disobedience, the relationship between them and God was destroyed. 

 Although it was not an immediate result, it did fulfill God’s statement to Eve that they would certainly die.  To this day we suffer the result of that initial sin through our separation and physical death.

 Even Jesus, our Master was tempted with doubt.  We read about the temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11.  Note by the way, not only did Satan attempt to defeat Jesus with doubt, but he also tried pride and deception.  

 Immediately after Jesus’ baptism, he was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tempted or as some versions state, “to be tested.”  Satan presented to him three temptations, each designed to appeal to the physical element of Jesus or to remove the need for the sacrifice of the cross.  Satan tempted him through relieving physical hunger, to prove his divinity as the Son of God, and to take power of the Kingdom he was to create while on earth.

 If Jesus had given in to any of these temptations then Satan would have won by causing Jesus to disobey God the Father, just as the original Adam had.  In each case Jesus quickly countered Satan’s temptation by quoting specific and relevant scriptures.  Note that Jesus not only knew the scripture but understood and applied the truth behind the words.  As a result, Satan was unable to be successful in this initial temptation.

 This was not the only temptation faced by Jesus.  Hebrews 2:18 states: “For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”  

 In Hebrews 4:14-16 we read: “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

 Jesus was later "tested" by people who demand that he show them "a sign from heaven" (Mark 8:11; par. Matt 16:1; Luke 11:16). Jesus was also tempted by Peter, one of his closest apostles when he tried to keep our Lord from fulfilling his mission.  In Mark 8:33, Mark records the incident.  It states, 

 “He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (Mark 8:33)

 On the surface it seems that Peter was only stating his horror at the idea that Jesus would have to suffer.  But Jesus recognized it as a temptation from Satan, through Peter, to again disobey God and not fulfill the need for a pure sacrifice for our sins.

 Even while on the cross Jesus was insulted and tested, yet he endured.  In Matthew 27:39-44 it states,

 “And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.” (Matthew 27:39-44)  

 As we’ve stated before, Satan knows that he cannot directly attack God but can attack us.  He continues to use doubt as a tactic against even those closest to Jesus.

 Let’s look at some ways Satan attacks those that follow our Lord.

 Matthew 14 we read about the event of Peter walking on water.   As the event occurs, the disciples were in a boat with rough waters.  They see Jesus walking on water as he approached them.  The disciples are full of fear because they thought it was a ghost.  Jesus identifies himself and tells them to not fear.  Peter asks Jesus to allow him to come to him on the water.  Jesus allows him but as Peter approaches, he becomes aware of his environment and begins to sink in the water.  Jesus reaches down to raise him up and asked him in verse 31, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

In Luke 24 we read of another occasion whereJesus appeared to the disciples.  As the disciples were together discussing the events following the resurrection, Jesus appears among them.  Note in his words that he told them, “Peace to you.”  As stated in the text, this caused them fear and doubt.

 Look specifically at verse 38: “And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?  See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.”

 In John we read about the event that the apostle Thomas is most known for by many.  The text tells us that Thomas was not with the other disciples when Jesus appears to them following his resurrection. Thomas expressed his doubt when told of the event.  He stated that he would not believe without putting his finger where the nails were and his hand in the side.  A week later Jesus again appears to the apostles, this time including Thomas.  Jesus told Thomas to place his fingers in the nail marks and hand in his side.  Thomas immediately falls to his knees and worships our Lord and acknowledges him with one of the most heartfelt expressions, “My Lord and my God!”  There was no longer any doubt in Thomas’ mind about the resurrection of Jesus.

 The doubt and fears the early disciples experienced are understandable given the events surrounding them and their deep confusion.  We can see that even the closest followers of Jesus had times where they doubted who he was and what he could do.  This continues to be an open door for Satan to attack us.  We also must be careful to develop our faith to not allow Satan to use this formidable tactic on us.  Let’s look now at how we can overcome our doubt.

 First of all, anticipate that it will happen.  If Satan was willing to attack the Master, then he will not leave the servant alone.  In John 17 Jesus prayed for us just prior to his torture and death that we also might be protected.  The point is, if Jesus said it would happen and then prayed that we would be protected, then Satan will use this tactic and any others he can against us.  Therefore, being prepared is a significant part of ensuring our victory over Satan’s efforts.  This fits well with our application of spiritual warfare.  An army prepared for battle is likely to be successful in defeating the enemy.  One of the basic doctrines of warfare is to attack the enemy when and where he least expects it.  The element of surprise is extremely valuable.  We must always be prepared and not let Satan catch us by surprise.

 Secondly, come to understand and believe that God himself promises us our place in the Kingdom (1 John 1).  It is understandable that as we look honestly at the times we fail in our Christian walk that we would judge ourselves harshly.  It is also understandable that we would doubt God could accept someone who fails so easily and so many times to live up to his expectations for us.  Yet John offers us an insight into just how much God loves us by his understanding of our weaknesses and acceptance of our honest efforts to live faithfully and to return to Him.  

 Of all the verses applying to our lives as God’s children, 1 John 1 is among the most hopeful.  Starting with verse 7 John tells us of God’s wonderful grace granted through Jesus.  In our human weaknesses we continue to sin.  Sometimes these sins are not intentional.  Sometimes, like spoiled children, we sin willingly.  In either case the text tells us that when we realize our sin and honestly confess them God forgives us because of the sacrifice of Jesus.  But to say we have not sinned is to continue in our pride and arrogance, thus turning to self rather than to God.  If ever you doubt that God’s love endures and is pure towards us, reread 1 John 1.  I want to make an additional point here, this promise John relates to us is made to those who are children of God.  It is critical then that you become a child of God.  Then you are in Christ and, as John states, His blood covers our sins as we strive to live faithfully.

 John continues into the second chapter with more words to offer us confidence in God’s love, thus helping us remove doubt.  Throughout his letter, John gives us assurances of God’s grace.  For example, John tells us in 1 John 5:13, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.”        

 As we’ve stated, doubt is one of Satan’s tactics and at the heart of virtually every effort he takes against us.  If Satan can instill doubt, then he is well on his way to defeating us.  Perhaps that is why Jesus spent so much of his time reinforcing who he was and what he was doing for us.  This is also a major effort of much of the writings of the New Testament to the church in its infancy and as it continued to grow.  Their resolve would be tested in horrible ways as they faced persecution, loneliness, and understandable periods of doubt.

 It is also a message for us today.  Jesus is our Lord.  He is our Savior.  It is in him alone that we have salvation.  It is through him we can overcome Satan’s strongest efforts to destroy our lives.  Never forget that Satan is a created being and is not more powerful than God in any way.  Never doubt the power of our Lord to save our souls.  Never doubt the love of God as he allows us to return to him after we’ve fallen.  Using Peter’s walking on water as a metaphor, we can reach out and our Lord will keep us from sinking.  

 Finally, Paul makes a wonderful statement in Ephesians 6:16.  He states, “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;” It is through our faith in God that we are able to guard against pride, overcome deception, and remove doubt.

 So, the triad of tactics; pride, deception, and doubt, are employed by Satan in almost every attack on us.  Satan knows how successful he is in using these tactics so he continues and will continue to use them. We must remain on guard and trust in the power of God’s Spirit to protect us.

 Friends, thank you for joining me as together we journey to hope.  I trust in some small way we have encouraged you to discover, sustain, or regain hope through this effort.   

 I invite you to contact me if you have questions or comments, or if you wish to share with me something you’ve experienced in your journey to hope.  My email is info@ourjourneytohope.com.   

 And please, share this podcast with someone whose hope is being challenged.

 I look forward to sharing more with you soon.  Again, I'm Dr. Dave Laton, and thank you for listening.  And until our next episode, remember, we give all glory to God our Father.