How to outmaneuver Satan

The central teaching in Romans 6 is that since we, as believers, are “dead to sin,” we are no longer slaves to sin but belong to our new Master, Jesus. Verses 11-14 put it this way:
         Count yourself dead to sin and alive to God (11-12)
         Stop serving sin and offer yourselves to God (13-14)
Looking at life in Christ in this this way we see the obligation of believers to readjust their mind-set and do everything from a totally different perspective. Let’s bring it down a step further:
         You belong to God, act like it!
 
         My posts on how Jesus lived as our mentor (Jesus as Mentor, Amazon) spell out how Jesus lived, how he was compassionate, determined, joyful, etc. These are the qualities others should see in us. Granted, it isn’t easy, but when God calls us to this new kind of living he also provides the strength necessary to succeed. The one quality that we must bring to the table is determination.
         In the secular world determination is prized. Vince Lombardi, the famous football coach said, “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will.” Anne Frank observed that parents can put a child on the right path, but “the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands.” And the ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle, held that “choice, not chance, determines your destiny.” 
         However, in the spiritual arena the task is a bit harder because the opposition is not simply one’s own tendency to relax but also the active presence and opposition of Satan who is working against your desire. Becoming the person you would like to be is no easy task, but here is a suggestion that may help. Face the fact that it is Satan who is making it difficult for you to develop any regular sequence in personal bible study and prayer. Susanna Wesley was right when she said, “Dust on your bible means sin in your heart.” The first step toward victory is to clearly identify your opposition. He is no friend. No matter how cleverly he argues that right now is not the time, his purpose is that you never carry through. He is slick, a practiced deceiver from that day long ago when he put it in Eve’s mind that God didn’t mean what he said about the fruit of that one little tree. Recognize who your enemy is and it will help you in the moment of decision to turn to your best friend, Jesus.  Remember, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood . . . but against the forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). Ultimately it is only God who can win over Satan. Our responsibility is to keep at it so that he can accomplish his goal in our life. In a real sense, it is a joint venture in which we, by our determination, make it possible for him to win the victory.