For several years now, I have been beguiled by the devil. It’s embarrassing to admit that, but it’s true. He had me thinking that my situation was never going to change, that I would never feel better, and that there was nothing I could do about it. The tormentor tricked me.
When Jesus rescued me from this last trip into the deep, dark pit of depression and despair, it was like the light finally came on and I saw things as they truly were. The Lord opened my eyes to the lies I was believing and the truth that sets me free. It felt like I was born again all over again!
God gave me a newfound passion for pursuing Him and proclaiming His word. He restored my hope for healing and set me on a new course paved with His promises.
He also gave me a fresh burden of helping women with chronic pain and illness to break free from the bonds Satan has them in. Specifically, getting rid of the defeated mindset and reclaiming the power and promises that are available to them. To help them see how they’re being beguiled by the devil so they can be free to live the abundant life Jesus died to give them.
What Does it Mean to Be Beguiled by the Devil?
2 Corinthians 11:3 KJV ~ But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
The apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Corinth with concern for the doctrine they were giving ear to. He didn’t want them to be beguiled by the devil and believe false doctrine, corrupting their minds and carrying them away from Christ.
To be beguiled by the devil is to be deceived, tricked, seduced, and led astray. Some synonyms are bewitched, charmed, allured, captivated, and enchanted. So basically, if you are beguiled by the devil, you are under his spell.
One way to avoid being beguiled by the devil is to know your enemy so you can quickly identify him at work in your life.
Characteristics of That Creep the Devil
Genesis 3:1 KJV ~ Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
There are some specific characteristics of that creep, the devil. Throughout scripture, we see reference to how he operates. Here are a few of those distinctions.
- Cunning and Crafty – He gets what he wants in a deceptive and clever way. He’s very deceitful and sly.
- Creeps – He’s stealthy and sneaky. He slithers into our lives and attempts to draw us away from God into sin and shame.
- Creates doubt and discontentment – Satan steals our confidence and contentment. In Genesis 3:1-6, the serpent questions God’s word and His character. He makes Eve doubt God and become discontent with the provision He gave her.
- Communicates lies – When he told Eve that she would not surely die, that was a blatant lie. It was in direct contradiction to what God had told Adam in Genesis 2:16-17. In John 8:44 Jesus tells us that Satan is a murderer, that there is no truth in him, and that he is the father of lies.
- Corrupts minds – Just like he did with Eve, the devil will trick you into thinking that God’s ways are too restrictive. He’ll corrupt your mind with thoughts of rebellion.
- Causes division – Satan wants to keep the lost from getting saved and the saved from producing fruit. If you’re truly born-again you can’t lose your salvation, but you can lose intimacy with Jesus by entertaining sin in your life. Sin always separates us from God, and that’s exactly the way that Satan wants it. If you’re not born-again, you don’t have a relationship with God, and Satan wants to keep it that way. He’ll do everything he can to keep you away from the truth.
Satan is in the business of making sin look delicious, delightful, and desirable. He tempts us to think that God’s commands are unreasonable, unfair, and undoubtedly uncool. Share on X
For more on how the devil operates:
Be Sober-Minded to Avoid Being Beguiled by the Devil
1 Peter 5:8 KJV – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
The devil causes us to doubt God’s word, His goodness, and His love for us as he did with Eve. That’s one reason a sober mind is so important. A sober mind filters everything through what is true about God, His word, His will, and His ways.
In order to have a sober mind, cast down imaginations (2 Cor.10:3-6) and think on things that are true (Phil.4:8).
Being sober-minded is exercising discipline over your thoughts. Basically, to have a sober mind is to possess the renewed mind that Romans 12:2 and Ephesians 4:23 speak of.
When we recognize the lies we are believing, replace them with truth from God’s word, and recite those truths in times of temptation, trials, and testing, we become more sober-minded.
One hallmark of my ministry is teaching women how to have a sober mind. I think God gave me that direction because He knew how desperately I need it myself. Since I have depression, being sober-minded is a daily struggle for me.
I have to intentionally filter my thoughts through the Bible, focus on the truth, and fight against the natural propensity of my flesh to be discouraged and doubtful.
For more on how to be sober-minded:
- 6 Steps to a Sober Mind
- Having a Sober Mind for Spiritual Stability
- How to be Sober-Minded in Stressful Times
- 4 Examples of Sober-minded Women in the Bible
- How to Have a Sober Mind Daily
- Renew Your Mind and Revive Your Heart with ‘It is Written’
Are You Being Beguiled by the Devil?
If you could be there with Eve in the garden, what advice would you give her when you saw the serpent sneaking up? What would you say to keep her from being beguiled by the devil?
I would tell her to be on guard. To remember what God said, and how much He loved her. To recognize that she had an enemy that was determined to deceive, derail, and destroy her. And I would tell her to call out to her creator for discernment and defense against the enemy.
That’s the same counsel I have for you, my friend. Don’t let the devil beguile you. Be sober-minded, Spirit-filled, strong in the Lord, and steadfast in His truth. Anything that’s in your heart and mind that doesn’t line up with God’s word is straight up from the devil, and has got to go!
James 4:7 KJV ~ Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Articles related to being beguiled by the devil:
Renew Your Mind and Revive Your Heart with ‘It is Written’
How to Live Victoriously in Christ
Identifying the Devices of the Devil ~ Standing strong in spiritual warfare
Story of a Slanderer in the Bible: Miriam, A Devilish Diva!
Victory in the Valley ~ Tips for spiritual warfare
How to Have a Sober Mind Daily
4 Examples of Sober-minded Women in the Bible
What Does it Mean to Walk in the Light
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That was a very interesting read 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to check it out!
Amen, Yes I love this blog post. It was a great read and it was also inspiring to me.
Thanks! Stay tuned for part 2. 🙂