October 2026 Magazine Article: Satan’s Tactics For Wearing Out The Saints

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This article appeared in the December 1985 VOE magazine ​

 

SATAN’S TACTICS FOR WEARING OUT THE SAINTS

Look at Daniel 7:25 – “And he shall speak great words against the Most High and shall WEAR OUT the saints of the Most High.”

Notice the words “wear out” in this passage. The meaning of this word in the Aramaic text means, “to wear out gradually; to slowly grind until worn.“ In the context of this passage it speaks of a final wicked world leader who will work against the saints of God, wearing them out.

While reading this passage one afternoon, I saw the major attack of Satan in the end time. It is to cause mental and spiritual weariness among the saints that will lead to a spiritual breakdown!

In many spiritual battles against Satan’s kingdom, the church is awakened to full strength and unity. It seems to be the little steady blows of Satan that wear out the saints. As the scriptures teach, “It’s the little foxes that spoil the vine.” Here is an example of Satan’s tactics.

The Apostle Paul makes some revealing statements about a strong spiritual battle he faced. In 2 Corinthians 12:7, we read: “There was given unto me a THORN IN THE FLESH, the MESSENGER OF SATAN to BUFFET me, lest I should be exalted above measure.”

There are some key words in the passage that reveal to us the true Satanic attack on Paul’s life and ministry.

1- Paul says it was a MESSENGER OF SATAN. The Greek word “messenger” is “aggelos” and is translated 179 times as an “angel”. Seven times it is translated as “messenger.” While a lot of religious thought has stemmed from this passagewith regard to the thorn, Paul makes it clear that he was attacked by an angel of Satan.
2- This messenger was sent to BUFFET him. The word “buffet” comes from a Greek word meaning “to continually clip on the ear… to deal blow after blow.” It would imply a boxer or fighter in a match. He is knocked down, and no sooner is he on his feet than another blow brings him to his knees.

The long list found in 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 makes us realize Paul’s battles with Satan. Paul listed the things that caused him to suffer. He spoke of being in prison often, in stripes, beaten with rods, stoned three times, shipwrecked, and the list continues.

After looking over this list, I understand what Paul meant when he said, “I bore in my body the marks of the gospel.” He was bruised, battered, and sore from the physical abuse he endured for the gospel’s sake. Now do you understand how this angel of Satan dealt “blow after blow” to this apostle of God?

It is Satan’s desire to wear out the saints and cause us to become faint and tired in the fight of faith. What do we do when long battles beat us like waves hitting the beach? Let’s look at the scriptures and find out.

Isaiah 40:30 “Even the youths shall faint and be weary and young men shall UTTERLY FALL.”

Isaiah 40:31 “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…”

Nehemiah 8:10 “...For the JOY of the Lord is your strength.”

Psalm 16:11 “In His presence there is fulness of joy…”

Galatians 6:9 “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.”

People who become spiritually weak become faultfinders at everything happening in their local church. Their first complaints are often against the minister, then against the programs and ministries. Then they become discontented toward everything and everyone. Many times, their weariness leads to two other problems.

1- They always have a teacher, pastor, or evangelist they liked much better than the ones they’ve had lately.
2- They are getting blessed on the “credit of other’s prayers.” They are too tired to fast, pray, and study, so they let everyone else do it.

People who aren’t spiritually weary can get along with every minister, teacher, and evangelist. They are loving, caring people because they are strong in the LORD.

Weariness robs you of your joy and “the joy of the Lord is your strength.” When the eternal spring of joy is bubbling in your heart, it will gush forth in praise and adoration toward God. Joy makes you energetic and alive in the Lord.

You may ask, “How do you keep the joy of the Lord, which is our spiritual strength?”

The remedy is waiting in the presence of the Lord. Isaiah 40:31 says, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…” This doesn’t mean those who sit back, arms folded, sleeping the day away. It means waiting in the presence of the Lord! In His presence there is fullness of joy. We must spend time alone with God and in worship.Most folks spend time worshipping on Sunday, but your battle is seven days a week. Worship and adoration to God must be a daily thing. Joy will come as you enter into God’s presence.

Then there is the promise of Galatians 6:9 “Don’t be weary in well doing for in due season you will reap IF you FAINT not!” I held onto this verse when I preached a revival where few results were seen. I knew if I continued to plant seed, God would give the increase. 

Defeat Satan’s tactics to wear you out by lingering in God’s presence where you receivethe much needed joy of the Lord that will sustain you in times of battle.