HOW SATAN USES TRICKS TO CAUSE ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, AND MENTAL ILLNESS

Part -1

Depression is a spiritual issue. We have an enemy. An enemy that’s out to steal, kill and destroy everything that God planned for our lives John 10:10.

He is none other than Satan or Devil and he really does want to mess up our lives. He uses tricks, strategies, and tactics to cause havoc in the world and most people don’t even notice it. This is why most people are suffering from attacks today.

They are not suffering because they are weak. They are suffering because they are ignorant of the tricks of the enemy. We can’t be outwitted by the devil if we’re ignorant of his tricks. It is important to learn about them

In Acts 10:38 we are told that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

Illness, whether physical, mental or emotional, is oppression from the devil.

“Jesus came so that we may have life, and that we may have it more abundantly.”

If something is stealing, killing, or destroying your quality of life, it must come from the devil since the Bible says “Jesus wants you to have abundant life.”

The spirit of depression and despair is evil. God’s will for you is to experience peace and joy.

Isaiah 53:5 “By his stripes, we are healed.” Healing even from depression and discouragement – is available to you now.

Choose to receive it!

If this is true, why are still so many people depressed? First part we will discuss how he sets a trap and how to overcome it.

Part -2 Why do we fall into his traps and how to deal with them?

Satan’s tricks

He uses lies and Deceit

He is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44

Satan’s number one tactic is definitely lies and deceit. If he can get you to believe his lies over God’s word, everything changes. You start to think differently, which leads to feeling differently, which leads to acting differently. So, his lies, when believed, actually give him full access to destroy your life.

That’s why when you start thinking things completely different from what God says, know that those thoughts are coming straight from the pit of hell. Thoughts like, you aren’t going to be saved, delivered, healed, joyful, at peace, prosperous, or powerful in God’s kingdom are all lies from the enemy. God has promised you all this and more.

Entertaining Satan’s lies puts your whole life at stake. Don’t give him that much power. His lies can easily be defeated by God’s truth. You just have to be able to recognize it when it happens.

He uses fear and discouragement.

God has not given us a spirit of fear. 2 Timothy 1:7

Causing fear is another one of Satan’s favorite tactics. This is because fear has the power to hold us back and keep us stuck. It robs us of our faith and peace, plus it keeps our minds fixed on the circumstances instead of God’s promises.

Full form of Fear (force evidence appearing real)

That’s why God commands us repeatedly in his word not to be afraid. He knew that the enemy would use fear to cripple and discourage us, so he asked us beforehand to not allow it.

Don’t let the enemy win. Fear and discouragement have no power over you. You can move forward because God is with you, He is on your side, no matter the circumstances.

He uses conflict and pride.

Pride leads to conflict. Proverbs 13:10

Pride is the reason behind many problems in the world, one of them being the devil. Satan fell from heaven because of his pride, and he wants to take you down with him stirring up pride within you.

Not only is pride the path to destruction Proverbs 11:2, but it also causes conflict.

The enemy loves to see good people fighting because nobody is happy in an environment of conflict. It takes away your peace and sometimes causes anxiety.

If you’re in conflict today, especially if it’s because of your pride, choose to humble yourself today and make peace. If you do that, you still win. The only person who loses here is Satan.

He uses temptation and shame.

When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.” James 1:13

Satan used the temptation tactic against Eve in the Garden of Eden and then he used it on Jesus in the wilderness. I may have listed this one last but that doesn’t mean the uses this any less than he uses the others.

He tempts you to sin in obvious ways like leading you to do something immoral, but he can also tempt you in subtle ways as well.

For example, puff you up I pride saying that you’re holier than others, so you end up judging them.

Whether he is subtle about it or not, you end up feeling ashamed when you realize you did not resist his temptations. This is a win-win for him! If you are living in sin. If you do it causes shame.

Thankfully, God is on our side, and because He sent Jesus to die for us, we neither have to live in sin nor shame. Now if you resist the devil, he will flee from you. If you make a mistake, you do not be ashamed, you are forgiven and made righteous through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Ways to Defeat Satan

Recognize His lies

It would be hard to recognize Satan’s lies if we spend each day believing every thought that enters our minds. To recognize the lies of the enemy we will have to take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5

So, from today onwards, take every thought captive. You can think it, you don’t have to ignore your thoughts, just don’t believe it until you’ve confirmed that it’s true through the word of God.

Respond with the truth

The Bible is filled with truth. Every time you have a thought that does not line up with God’s word, you will surely find something in the Word to oppose that thought.

For example, if someone calls you ugly and you begin to believe it, you can oppose that lie with Psalm 139:14

You are fairly wonderfully made!

Do this for every negative thought the enemy brings to you. The truth found in God’s Word is powerful and everlasting. It’s all you need.

Resist him with the Armor of God

God knew that the enemy would try to destroy us, so He did not leave us without protection. He has given us his whole armor in

Ephesians 6:10-18

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

For 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.

Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may withstand in the evil day, and having done all, stand firm.

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the Gospel of peace.

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one: and take the

Helmet of salvation, and the sword of spirit which is the word

Of God, praying at all times in the spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all saints.”

He has given us truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the Word, and his spirit. Satan doesn’t stand a chance if we keep this armor on

Always remember that even though the devil is real, he is not more powerful than God. You’re at war with him, but the battle has already been won. All you have to do is put on the armor of God. You don’t even have to fight!

Just resist him, and he will flee from you. If his lies start getting to you, right down some counter scriptures from God’s word and read them every day. Then watch the power of the truth give you a peace that surpasses all understanding.

Some Bible verses about defeating the Devil

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is with you. Romans 16:20

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 1 Peter 5: 8-9

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1

Little children you are from God, and have overcome them, for he is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7

Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:11

The seventy-two returned with joy, saying,” Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” Luke 10:17

And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulphur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:10

Thank you