The Two Strategies of Satan
I long ago concluded that Satan ultimately has only two strategies though many devices to execute these strategies. The two strategies are to deny the Word of God or to question the Word of God. Even just a quick read of Genesis three and Matthew four will highlight this observation.
The Definition of Truth
In a court of law, the only definition of truth is that what is spoken accurately represents what is. Throughout His ministry, Jesus, what Jesus claimed and taught was consistent with what God prophesied for hundreds of years would be true of Messiah. His actions confirmed his claim that his authority was God derived.
Observing Satan’s Strategies in the Life of Jesus
In multiple ways, the two Satanic strategies were played out throughout his three-year ministry, culminating in his multiple trials. The Roman civil trials concluded that His words were congruent with the law, so Pilot and Herod concluded his innocence.
The Biblical Record (Luke 23)
13 Then Pilate called together the leading priests and other religious leaders, along with the people, 14 and he announced his verdict. “You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent.
15 Herod came to the same conclusion and sent him back to us. Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty.
Pilot chooses a political solution when he says, 16 So I will have him flogged and release him.
The Point of this Essay
The point of this essay is NOT to make a political point by comparing Jesus and President Trump but rather to illustrate wicked leaders’ ever-present use of the legal system to maintain power. As one reads chapter fourteen of Mark, here is the sequence that will be observed.
The Process of Modality of Wickedness
Mark 14:52-65 (also in Matthew, Luke, and John) records the detailed process of the modality of wickedness. Mark is the fast-moving Gospel, so that we can observe the rapidity of this process executed in the first trial before the Sanhedrin.
The Parallel: Contemporary and Historical
Regardless of any thinking person’s political party membership, the parallel between the process applied in the first century to Jesus and the process being applied to Donald Trump in the 21stcentury is obvious. In the Trump case, the high priest is Alvin Bragg and the Sanhedrin is the State of New York.
Revisit the trial of Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms and its surrounding drama. The sameparallel is evident. The patterns of evil do not change. The sinful hearts of men can be manipulated in the same way in every generation.
The Application and Implementation
Oh, the necessity of studying the Word of God and the history of man. Thorough knowledge of the Word of God provides one with a ready response to the strategies of Satan. Studying history reminds us of the outcome of ignorance of the Word of God as we see individual after individual and nation after nation suffer the consequences of lacking the ability to spot the attacks of Satan.