The Schemes of Satan

by Travis L Quertermous

From The Reminder, May 15, 2011

Hall of Famer Hack Wilson once said of the great Negro League pitcher Satchel Paige’s pitches, “It starts out like a baseball and when it gets to the plate, it looks like a marble.” You see, the pitcher’s job is to fool the batter and get him to chase pitches so he will make an out. So the pitcher will throw different pitches, change locations and speed, and other things to deceive the batter.

The devil is also a master deceiver. The apostle Paul once warned Christians to be on guard “lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Cor. 3:11). The Greek word translated “devices” refers to schemes and traps used to ensnare one’s prey. Just as a pitcher has many tricks to fool a batter, so the devil has many devices. Chief among them is temptation, but Satan also uses other traps to destroy us like lies, false doctrine, hypocrisy, apathy, ignorance, discouragement, and procrastination.

To be a good hitter, the batter needs a good eye so he won’t be fooled by the pitcher. We need a good eye spiritually so the devil won’t ensnare us in his devices. Let us pray and study God’s word daily so Satan won’t get us out in the game of life.