Satan’s Plan for Your Life

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

We often hear about God’s will for one’s life and the importance of finding that will and living in it, but you must also understand that Satan has a plan for your life. The interesting thing about Satan’s plan is it offers upfront enjoyment and satisfaction, but it hides the regret, sorrow and heartache it gives. One thing you must always understand about Satan’s plan is that whatever he says he will do for you is a lie because he is a liar and the father of lies.

Peter, like many believers, was passive about the LORD’s warning of Satan’s plan for his life. Peter never thought that Satan would have the ability to destroy him, but he found out the power of Satan and his devious and subtil ways of getting the believer to follow his plan. Maybe that is why God used Peter to pen 1 Peter 5:8 which says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” Peter experienced firsthand the devouring teeth of Satan’s plan. In the verse above, Jesus reveals Satan’s plan for your life of which you must beware.

First, he has a desire for you. Don’t kid yourself; Satan does desire you just like God desires you. The difference between the two is that God desires you to make you His servant for the betterment of your life; whereas, Satan desires you to destroy you. Always understand that Satan has a desire for you, and he is always trying to find a way to get you to come to him. You must be so careful that you avoid his plan with the same caution that you would avoid a deadly snake.

Second, Satan wants to control you. Satan offers freedom, but he only gives bondage. The verse above says, “Satan hath desired to have you…” To have someone is to control them. Satan will never give you the freedom you think you may have in his plan for your life. Every person who has accepted Satan’s freedom plan found themselves bound by temptation, addiction and guilt. Satan’s freedom plan is a bondage plan that controls you with guilt and regret.

Third, Satan wants to sift you. Satan doesn’t just want to cause you to fall, but he wants to sift every part of your spiritual being. The word “sift” means to separate and grind to a small fine powder. Jesus’ warning to Peter is the same warning to every believer. Satan’s plan is to sift your spiritual life piece by piece until your faith is a pile of powder that leaves your life in what seems to be total ruin.

Fourth, he wants to destroy your faith. It is interesting that Jesus said to Peter, “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not…” Jesus knew that the sifting of Peter’s faith would leave him without any confidence that he could ever be used again. My friend, Satan is after your faith and he wants to get you to doubt that God could ever use you again. The thing that Satan wants to sift into a pile of powder is your faith. If Satan can destroy your faith, he can successfully destroy your usefulness to the LORD.

The answer to not falling for Satan’s plan is prayer. Jesus said, “But I have prayed for thee…” You will never overcome Satan’s plan for your life without a prayer life. Jesus spent forty days praying before He had the power to overcome Satan’s temptation. If you don’t want to fall for Satan’s plan, you must have a regular prayer life so that your faith gain’s the strength it needs to overcome the devouring teeth of Satan’s plan.

Author: Allen Domelle