It’s often said, “God has a plan, but the devil has a plot.” By definition, a plan is “a detailed proposal for doing or achieving something.” And the Bible tells us that even before the foundations of the world, God had a good plan for each of us (Eph. 2:10).
The Devil’s Greatest Goal
A plot, though also a strategy to achieve something, is much more sinister. In fact, it’s defined as “a plan made in secret by a group of people to do something illegal or harmful.” And that perfectly describes the devil’s ways. As I explore in my book, Silence Satan, he works with his covert organization of minions to bring about one of two goals, which is this: first, the devil wants to keep people from being saved—from having a relationship with Jesus. But if he can’t keep you from being saved, his next goal is to keep you from living saved.
Possibly one of the most paramount principles of the saved life is that a Christian is a brand-new person. “The old life is gone,” Paul exclaimed, “a new life has begun” (2 Cor. 5:17b, NLT). And so, Satan works to convince the unsaved that nothing can change, or to convince the saved that nothing did change. And deception cloaked in little bits of truth is his key component to accomplish this.
Pieces of the Plot
Here’s how it begins. For the unsaved, he whispers, “Look back there in your past. See those mistakes? There’s nothing that can undo all that. You’ll always live with shame. There’s no hope for you.”
For someone who’s saved, the line is only slightly tweaked. “Look at what you’ve done since you were a Christian. You still struggle—you still sin. You’ll never overcome this. There’s no hope for you.”
Notice the similarities. In each case, the devil uses the bait of something that actually did happen to hook with the deception that nothing can, will or ever did change. And swallowing that hook keeps people from enjoying the new life that Jesus died to give.
God’s Plan
So here’s what you need to know. If you’ve never accepted Christ, nothing—no past, no mistake, no regret—is too big for forgiveness. The blood of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross will cleanse you from all unrighteousness, and you’ll live a guilt-free life on God’s side (1 John 1:9). And if you have accepted Christ, but are still struggling, no past, no mistake, nor any regret is too big for forgiveness. The blood of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross cleansed you from all unrighteousness, and you live a guilt-free life on God’s side. It’s amazing! God’s plan for the devil’s plot is always the same: it’s Jesus. So remember: The Christian life isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being forgiven.
For more on this topic, watch this video. {eoa}
Kyle Winkler equips people to live in victory. His mobile app, Shut Up, Devil!, is the No. 1 spiritual warfare app; and his upcoming book, Activating the Power of God’s Word, uncovers 16 strategic declarations to transform your life. Kyle holds a Master of Divinity in biblical studies from Regent University. Get daily encouragement from Kyle on Facebook and Twitter.
Abby Trivett