Alan, from Devotional Treasures, recently posted about spiritual warfare in a piece called Satan Our Accuser. My brother in Christ from the Kingdom of Fife (Scotland) reminds us how spiritual warfare often follows high points in the Christian life.
There are several Bible stories which illustrate this. Remember Elijah’s discouragement after defeating the prophets of Baal? (1 Kings 18:20-40) Another good example is Christ’s temptation in the wilderness after a forty day fast. (Matthew 4:1-11)
The scriptures also share warnings aplenty about the dark forces who are behind such shenanigans. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”— Ephesians 6:12 (NIV).
In another place the Apostle Paul warns that “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”— 2 Corinthians 11:14 (NIV) Other biblical accounts unmask him as an “accuser of the brethren” (Revelation 12:10) and a “lion seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
You’re probably wondering how this information applies to my post title. Oh, that was just click bait.🤠
Seriously. Alan is an avid chess player. So in my comment about his post on spiritual warfare I mentioned that Satan likes to play chess too. No I wasn’t comparing a fellow believer to the devil himself. I simply meant that evil forces attack Christians in strategic ways.
Like all chess masters, Lucifer and his buddies think several moves ahead. Their goal is to put believers in check, time and again, until we tire of the struggle and resign from the game.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7 (KJV)
As it turns out, God is also a chess player. And He never loses. Checkmate is off the board, but the enemy doesn’t want us to remember that. Thus the warfare.
Kind reader, “The Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials.”—2 Peter 2:9 (GNT) So don’t. Give. Up.
Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of this glory with exceeding joy.
To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty.
Jude 24. 25a (KJV)
Davids Daily Dose 
Comments
43 responses to “When the Devil Plays Chess”
Yes, indeed! The devil may rule this world—I in way—but he doesn’t control the universe.
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This is truth, CG. We don’t always know why others act or react toward us in an aggressive manner. The best thing to do is respond as Christ would—regardless. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
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That’s a good illustration, CG! God already knows how the “recording” goes. I appreciate you sharing this! God Bless!
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Another great post, David. This reminds of a sermon I once heard where the pastor watched a recording of the local high school football team winning the state championship. He said he was so into the game that he kept forgetting it was a recording. When the team would fumble or lose yardage, he would worry they would lose, but then remember they were victorious. He related this to God being victorious — that even though we become discouraged, we know God wins!
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I have found that often there is a painful past behind the harsh words and actions of people — that they need a glimpse of God’s love from us not a harsh response.
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I like the analogy, Nancy! Jesus removed Satan’s teeth at the cross. Yes indeed, Christ has the power to save us to the uttermost! Thank you for sharing!
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We’re involved in warfare, all right. Your reference to 1 Peter 5:8 reminded me of what I heard a speaker say years ago. “Just remember: The devil may prowl and roar, but Jesus removed his teeth at the cross!” How glorious to realize: Jesus has the power to one day present us FAULTLESS before the Father’s throne!
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Thanks, Pastor Pete!
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Nice post and I loved your title for Alan. Sounds like it would make a great title for his blog!
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It’s good to keep the fact that God is the ultimate chess player, not Satan, at the forefront of our mind.
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Thank you, Andy. As I said, this post was inspired by my interactions with Alan about one of his posts. He has since done his own chess post, comparing the different pieces on the chessboard to the diversity of the church.
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love this analogy of chess players. thanks for posting this
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Thank you, Tina! Blessings to you as well. 🙏
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Wonderful bit of Encouragement David. I always can use and appreciate that. Well done and thank you. Blessings bro.
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It’s a joy to read your writings!!! God’s blessings and best to you and your family as well!
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Thank you, Mandy! I appreciate your reading and commenting. So much of my writing here on WP has been inspired by other Christian bloggers. This is a wonderful community! God’s best to you and Nathan.
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Great writing, David!!!!
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I’m glad you enjoyed my attempt at humor, Funmi. I try to include a laugh in every conversation. I appreciate your stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Blessings!
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I love the click bait part 😂 Although I also love the article and its reminder. Thank you for sharing David
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[…] I share something slightly different with you, partly inspired by brother David’s recent post When The Devil Plays Chess, which came from an exchange of comments where chess was mentioned. Chess has been a big part of my […]
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Amen. Let us stand firm and sober because the enemy is like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.
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You’re welcome, Bridget! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Others have come up with some great spiritual warfare strategies. Ropheka says he just “Runs to Jesus.” Sounds like a sure plan to me! Thank you for reading and commenting. God Bless!
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I am saving this post. It is a great one. It makes me angry how much the enemy gets in our heads. But I love that you reminded us that God never loses. May we always remember that we have Almighty God on our side!! Thanks so much for sharing this important post. Blessings, brother! 🤗
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Amen, brother! Run to Jesus. That’s great advice. Every time. Thank you and God Bless.
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Many times satan thinks he has me defeated and I do the only logical thing ; I get on my knee’s and pray my heart out.
Jehovah comes to my rescue every time.
Check and mate
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Forever and ever AMEN!
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Amen, brother!
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Only God is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent, so much better to have him on our side 🙂
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Thank you, brother. Both my knowledge of chess and my ability to play are limited. I hope I gleaned enough, from our previous discussions about the game, to make a good analogy to spiritual warfare. I sincerely appreciate your sharing my post to a broader audience. May God continue to bless the Kearn’s family!
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👊👊👊 That’s one for the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!
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I edited your comment. NP!
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Thank you for reading and commenting, Adelheid! Blessings.
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Sorry, should be *chess player. 😁
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Indeed, God is a chess player, Himself. Love this!
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David you have done an excellent job with this post brother! I could add countless chess sayings here, but the screen is only small and none of them would add any worth to what you have written. Describing spiritual warfare as a war of attrition is spot on, our enemy will never give up or resign. Thus we need to keep our eye on the board and concentrate before making any move; as we say to novice chess players “sit on your hands” so you think before moving! To the believer don’t react, but pray then act decisively. I am going to share this on DingDash and Twitter David, God bless you this Lord’s Day.
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Bam! Take that satan! Jesus checkmated you and you’ve lost!
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Amen, brother. A fitting prayer to go with this post. Thank you. Have a blessed Sunday!
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May our daily moves be from the shepherds hand. Only.
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🤺🙏
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You share wise words indeed, Barb. Spiritual highs can easily cause us to be less vigilant. The powers of evil in this fallen world are not all powerful or always present, but they are always ready to attack believers who wander from the fold. Thank you for sharing! You brought out another angle in spiritual warfare—stay on guard!
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Agreed, Kathlyn. My wife, a teacher, has the three sayings you mentioned on her classroom wall. Some call it the Three Bridges Rule; our thoughts need to pass over them before we speak. Is it true, kind, and necessary? That’s a good question to ask ourselves! Blessings.
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I stink at chess 🦨
BUT I agree with you that Satan enjoys playing chess with our lives.
Consider this; you are on a spiritual high after a fantastic message from the pulpit. You knew in that moment that God was speaking directly to your heart. Euphoria allows us to drop our defenses. This, my friend, is when the evil one sneaks into your car and stirs up trouble. Someone says the wrong thing. An argument and hurt feelings quickly bubble to the surface. And just like that, he has stolen your joy.
I urge you to protect those mountain top experiences. They are a gift to be treasured indeed.
May you be blessed on this Lord’s Day 🙏
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Yes, the enemy is a strategist and the battlefield is in the mind. I remind my friends, and myself, to “think about what you’re thinking” before we speak. Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind? Too many relationships have been strained because these guidelines weren’t followed.
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