Alert & Armed

Alert & Armed: Understanding the Enemy’s Tactics

Scripture tells us that after Jesus resisted the devil in the wilderness, “the devil left Him until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13). This one sentence is a reminder, or for some, a newsflash: the enemy studies us. He watches for moments where we are vulnerable, distracted, discouraged, or even experiencing success. He cannot be everywhere—he is not God—but he looks for opportune moments or seasons to tempt, attack, or devour (1 Peter 5:8).

This devotional is written for us to become more aware and understanding of the enemy's tactics. When we understand how the enemy works, we know how to stand firm. And our greatest example is Christ Himself. If Jesus wasn’t exempt from temptation, what makes us think we will be?

History

In any war, the side that understands the enemy’s strategy holds the advantage. About 165 years ago, during the American Civil War, the Union was able to intercept Confederate communications and capture key documents. Because they knew the opposing plan, they were able to respond wisely—and ultimately, they were victorious.

I learned a version of that lesson when I first started teaching and coaching. As a young assistant, I was a film coach. I could break down film of other teams and I spent more time watching other teams play than my own. I was a middle school coach and varsity coach at the same time. At the time, it felt frustrating and unnecessary. In middle school sports, the stakes aren’t that high. But as you move up, the pressure increases. The higher the level, the more critical it becomes to know your opponent. I know that, now.

Later that season, I realized how valuable that assignment was. Because I had studied other teams, I could recognize their plays in crucial moments and say, “I’ve seen this before. I know what’s coming.” It wasn’t about fear—it was about awareness.

"When we understand how the enemy works, we learn how to stand firm."

Aware of the Opposition

The same is true spiritually. The moment we became believers, the stakes increased. Yet many of us assume following Christ means a conflict-free life. Scripture tells a different story. In 1 Peter 5:8, we are told to be alert and sober-minded because our enemy prowls like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Peter wrote this during a time of rising hostility and persecution—advice that still feels relevant today. Much of today's world news centers on violence, debate, arguments, and hostility.

To be alert means to watch carefully. Just as weather alerts come from someone tracking the radar and past patterns. We have to stay alert, not by focusing on the enemy all day, but by being aware of his tactics —his past and still-current patterns. We can’t stay vigilant if we’re distracted.

Another point is that we must remember and often forget: who the real enemy is. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that we don’t wrestle against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil. That can be hard to grasp when the offense feels personal. You may overhear someone at work speaking falsely against you, or someone may cut you off in traffic. We see a person, a human, who did that, but Scripture reveals a deeper battle. If we misunderstand this, we risk fighting the wrong fight. Over time, culture has minimized Satan to a cartoon scary image of this devil with red eyes or blamed people for every conflict. In all the movies and TV shows, when there’s a problem, a person is attacked. Young children grow up seeing their parents arguing all the time, attacking each other, and not seeing the real enemy. Meanwhile, the real schemer goes unnoticed, and he gets away with it, time after time.

Awareness changes everything. When we understand the strategy of our true adversary, we can stand watchful—not afraid, but prepared.

Let’s look at four key moments in Jesus’ life where the enemy attempted to strike—and what they teach us about staying spiritually alert to moments the enemy takes an opportunity of.

Aware of the Opposition

The same is true spiritually. The moment we became believers, the stakes increased. Yet many of us assume following Christ means a conflict-free life. Scripture tells a different story. In 1 Peter 5:8, we are told to be alert and sober-minded because our enemy prowls like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Peter wrote this during a time of rising hostility and persecution—advice that still feels relevant today. Much of today's world news centers on violence, debate, arguments, and hostility.

To be alert means to watch carefully. Just as weather alerts come from someone tracking the radar and past patterns. We have to stay alert, not by focusing on the enemy all day, but by being aware of his tactics —his past and still-current patterns. We can’t stay vigilant if we’re distracted.

Another point is that we must remember and often forget: who the real enemy is. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that we don’t wrestle against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil. That can be hard to grasp when the offense feels personal. You may overhear someone at work speaking falsely against you, or someone may cut you off in traffic. We see a person, a human, who did that, but Scripture reveals a deeper battle. If we misunderstand this, we risk fighting the wrong fight.

"We can't stay vigiliant if we're distracted."

Over time, culture has minimized Satan to a cartoon scary image of this devil with red eyes or blamed people for every conflict. In all the movies and TV shows, when there’s a problem, a person is attacked. Young children grow up seeing their parents arguing all the time, attacking each other, and not seeing the real enemy. Meanwhile, the real schemer goes unnoticed, and he gets away with it, time after time.

Awareness changes everything. When we understand the strategy of our true adversary, we can stand watchful—not afraid, but prepared.

Let’s look at four key moments in Jesus’ life where the enemy attempted to strike—and what they teach us about staying spiritually alert to moments the enemy takes an opportunity of.

1. When We Experience New Glory, Promotion, or Success

Scripture: Luke 4:1-12

Jesus had just been baptized. The heavens opened. The Spirit descended. The Father affirmed Him publicly and stated that He was well pleased. Immediately afterward, the Spirit led Him into the wilderness—where the enemy tried to slip in pride, ambition, and shortcuts. The devil offered Jesus the kingdoms of the world—something already promised by the Father—if He would bypass the cross. He tempted Him to act independently of God, to take matters into His own hands, to choose glory without suffering. The enemy still uses this tactic.

When we experience success, favor, revelation, or promotion, pride can quietly knock on the door. We may start thinking we can skip the process, skip accountability, or skip obedience. Success is not the time to relax spiritually—it’s the time to stay humble, submitted, and dependent on God for direction.

2. When We Are Physically Weak or Exhausted

Scripture: Luke 4:1-3

After fasting for forty days, Jesus was physically drained. And the enemy went straight for the area of His need: hunger.

He does the same with us.

When we are:

worn down
tired
stressed
drained
sick
overwhelmed

…we become more vulnerable to shortcuts, irritation, doubt, and temptation. Think of how easy it is to get angry when you’re already upset, and then something small—stubbing your toe, spilling something—pushes you over the edge. If you fast, think about how irritated you sometimes become when you're hungry. That’s an opportune moment. The enemy knows your needs and weaknesses. That’s why we must bring them to God first. Surrender them to Him so that He will strengthen you.

3. Through Relationships, Friends, or Betrayal

Scripture: Matthew 16:21–23, Luke 22:3

One of the hardest attacks Jesus faced came through someone close to Him. Peter loved Jesus deeply, yet in a moment of misunderstanding, he tried to talk Jesus out of God’s plan. Jesus immediately recognized the spiritual influence behind Peter’s words and said, “Get behind me, Satan!” (Matthew 16:23). The attack wasn’t Peter—it was the enemy using Peter’s limited understanding of Jesus' purpose on earth.

Judas, another close friend, walked with Jesus daily. But because Judas had already opened the door to greed and unbelief, the enemy found an opportunity. Luke 22:3 says: “Then Satan entered Judas.” This didn’t happen overnight. Judas betrayed Jesus for money. Money, he didn't get to enjoy. The enemy only needed a willing host.

This is a reminder to us: The people closest to us must understand our purpose.

Proverbs 12:26 says: “The righteous choose their friends carefully.”

Relationships can be an avenue of encouragement—or an avenue of spiritual attack.

Even in this scenario, we remember Romans 8:28. The Lord used this as a story of betrayal and as an important part of His redemptive plan.

4. When We Are Emotionally Pressured or Deeply Burdened

Scripture: Luke 22:42–44

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus experienced emotional and spiritual anguish so intense that He began to sweat drops of blood—a rare condition called hematidrosis, when extreme stress causes the blood vessels near the sweat glands to burst and seep through your pores.

Jesus felt the full weight of what was coming. The enemy was near, whispering in the midst of anguish, grief, and fear. He asked if the cup would be taken away from Him. During this prayer, Jesus gives us the greatest example of surrender: “Not my will, but Yours be done.” In the midst of this great temptation to bypass suffering, He sought the Father for strength.

Stress blinds us. Pain weakens our purpose. Fear makes shortcuts look appealing. The enemy uses emotional pressure to distort truth, whisper lies, or push us toward decisions outside God’s will. But Jesus shows us how to respond: submit, pray, and trust the Father’s plan.

"We don't fight for victory—

we fight from victory."

The Enemy is Defeated

The enemy is NOT equal to God. He is not omnipresent, omnipotent, or omniscient. He is a created being who has already been judged. Revelation 20:10 reminds us that his final sentence is already written. We don’t fight for victory—we fight from victory. 2 Corinthians 10:4 says: “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God…”

We resist not in our strength, but in His. We stand not in our wisdom, but in His Word. We overcome not by our might, but by His Spirit. Like Joshua and Caleb, we must see our battles through the lens of God’s power—not fear. And like Jesus in the wilderness, we must meet every lie with Scripture, every temptation with obedience, and every attack with submission to the Father.

Prayer

Father, thank You for opening our eyes to the moments where the enemy tries to distract, deceive, or discourage us. Strengthen us in seasons of success, weakness, emotional pressure, and relational challenges. Help us recognize the schemes of the enemy and stand firm on Your Word, just as Jesus did. May humility, obedience, and dependence on You guard our hearts. Remind us daily that the victory already belongs to You, and through Christ, we are more than conquerors. In Jesus’ name, Amen.