Luke 22:31
And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

Do you have your dossier compiled?

When you are facing difficult situations, how do you view them? During those times, you may have felt you were under attack. You were, just like Peter was. Did you stop to think that with each attack, you have the opportunity to grow.

1 Peter 4:12-13 Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. (The Message MSG)

Jesus is praying for you just as He prayed for Peter (Luke 22:32). Yes, the devil wants you. However, experience is a pretty good teacher. Take the time to compile a dossier on the devil; he certainly has one on you. (Job 1:7, 2:2) With each attack of the enemy, you can gain an understanding of the devil’s strengths and your weaknesses, the devil’s weaknesses and your strengths,  and the devil’s strategic positioning regarding you. You know the enemy has three things he does.

John 10:10a The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. (KJV)

He wants to steal what the Father gave you, kill your joy, and destroy your faith. He has three ways he devised to accomplish his task.

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things]—these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself]. Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

He has been using these tactics since God kicked him out of heaven. He tried them with Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11). He will try them with you. Do some military intelligence gathering. Analyze how he draws you in, and see where the “little foxes” are in your life (Song of Solomon 2:15). Trust God completely and be willing to hear all He has to say about your life, the good and the bad. Then you will know what the enemy’s weapons are and how to combat them with the word, just as Jesus did.

• He wants you to walk in the flesh. Use 2 Corinthians 10:3-4.
• He wants you to fight against people. Use Ephesians 6:12.
• He wants you to be an inefficient soldier. Use 1 Timothy 6:12.
• He wants you to fold under the hardship. Use 2 Timothy 2:3-4.
• He wants you to believe y are fighting alone. Use Zechariah 10:5.
• He wants you to fight without armor. Use Ephesians 6:13-18.

Say with passion and commitment:

Psalm 144:1 Blessed be the Lord, my Rock and my keen and firm Strength, Who teaches my hands to war and my fingers to fight. (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition AMPC)

Armed with the word and your declaration of strength, you win!

Please agree with me as I pray:

Father, hear my petition and my cry. I know I have come and placed my cares at Your feet and then picked them back up again. I repent for doing that. I know You want me to stop. If I did, I wouldn’t keep making the same mess. I could also stop picking up the pieces after the enemy has attacked me the same way again. Though my actions don’t always show it, I want to understand how he attacks me and why he attacks me the way he does. Please help me evaluate those situations in my life. Help me see where the open doors are. Help me see where the cracks in the armor are. The enemy does not have to try anything new because he knows what way has worked in the past. Show me what is in me that makes his strategy work for him. Help me stop falling into the same trap that he has just disguised differently. I don’t want to be fooled. I don’t want to be drawn in by his tactics. Continue to help me analyze my attitude, thoughts and relationships and see where the problem areas are. Thank You for mending the fence You have placed around me. I want to win…

———- Ask the Lord what He wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal His response as described here.