Is the Devil Studying You?

A few months ago I had a weird and kind of scary dream. I remember waking up very afraid and my heart was pounding. The dream was very realistic, and I remember thinking, “This dream means something.” I don’t always think that about dreams, but sometimes you just sort of know when certain dreams do have significance of some kind. I have them from time to time. This was one of those dreams.

I purposed to remember it and then wrote it down in my journal the next morning during my quiet time. I prayed and thought about what it might mean. Over the next week or so, I slowly started getting some insight. I was also getting some practical steps to take (you know I love those!). What I’ve learned might be helpful for you too.

Let me start by sharing my dream with you…

On a mission

In my dream I was going somewhere repeatedly, back and forth. Numerous times I was having to walk around and over several boxes in my path, almost like an obstacle course. It was also like I was in a hurry too. I think I was trying to catch a plane or train or something. Additionally, I seemed to be in the process of helping others somehow or doing something on behalf of someone else.

At one point, I ran into a man. He had red hair and pale white skin and was very skinny and gangly. He was wearing a blue polo shirt tucked into khaki pants. I remember thinking that he looked like he should work at Best Buy. He was carrying a clipboard or tablet of some kind.

The man started asking me questions about the person that I was trying to help. I recall thinking that he was very nosy and that he might be trying to get information from me or do something that was illegal. It was also very frustrating because he was distracting me from being able to successfully make it through all of the obstacles that I was trying to climb over. I began tripping and started to fall. All I could think was that I needed to get away from that man. There was a strong sensation that this man was not at all friendly and might even be dangerous.

Feeling scared

At one point when I answered a question about what I was doing he said, “Oh really? Because I show that you’ve been doing searches and making phone calls about Colorado Springs for the last 6 months.” I freaked out and ran into some type of office nearby and shut and locked the door. I was thinking, “How did he know I was planning a vacation to Colorado? How did he get access to my computer and phone records?” It was like he knew a lot about me. In the dream I felt like I was in danger. I knew that he was going to try to pursue me. I started frantically searching for my phone to call for help.

About that time I woke up from my dream very startled. I had an eerie feeling that somebody was after me. During my quiet time that next morning, as I journaled I had a thought, “Did this dream mean that somebody WAS watching me, studying me, and/or learning things about me?” Then another word popped into mind, “Satan.”

But why? Why was the devil studying me and watching me? Was this dream a warning? What else did it mean? I prayed about it and wrote everything down. The next day I wrote down another question in my journal. “If the devil is watching and studying me, what should I do?” It was all kind of creepy.

What to do

I read one of my bible devotions that day that “coincidentally” talked about engaging the enemy. It said, “Make no mistake. When you declare that God is your God and make the decision to follow after Him and to love and serve Him with your ALL, you are going to get the attention of the enemy.”^[1] The devotion listed 6 steps to engage the devil when you seem to have his attention.

These steps were extremely helpful to me. They reassured me that there was no reason to fear, and that I could actually do something about it. So these are the same practical steps that I’ll give you today too if you sense the devil studying you. **I don’t take any credit for coming up with these steps…they are all taken from the “Falling In Love Again With Your Lord” reading plan by Thistlebend Ministries on YouVersion (bible app)^[1].** However, I have added a few relevant verses though that might be helpful. 

Take Some Practical Steps When You Detect the Devil Studying You:

• Position—Remember the position of who you are in Christ and know that the enemy can’t claim you. Jesus already claimed us!

“Christ paid the price to free us from the curse that God’s laws bring by becoming cursed instead of us…” Galatians 3:13a (GW)

“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith” Galatians 3:26 (NIV)

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

• Prepare—Get ready for battle and put on your “armor”. This includes studying the bible ahead of time, before an attack even occurs. You should also know the areas where you are prone to be weak and vulnerable and pray about them asking God to reveal them to you. Then find bible verses that help with those areas of vulnerability. Finally, to help in preparation, memorize scriptures and keep them handy and/or post them where you can see them.

“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.  Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.  In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.  Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Ephesians 6:10-18 (NLT)

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139: 23-34 (NIV)

• Pray continually—Remain in constant prayer throughout the day, especially at the onset of an attack. Remember that God is your defense and your shield. Call upon him immediately!

“Pray continually” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV)

“The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.” Psalm 28:7 (NLT)

• Plunge—Go on the offense. Assault the devil with the truth, the Word of God! Speak scripture aloud to attack the enemy. The Word of God (scripture) is your sword.

“Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:17 (NLT)

“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword…” Hebrews 4:12a (NLT)

• Praise—Worship God in good times and in bad. Praise him in advance of and following his protection of you.

“…I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1b (NASB)

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

• Proceed—Keep moving forward, always keeping your eyes and focus on Jesus.

“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,  I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:13-14 (NLT)

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.  We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.” Hebrews 12:1-3 (NLT)

After reading and starting to practice these 6 steps, I continued to pray. It seemed like there was something more I should be doing. I asked God again, “What should I do if the devil is studying me?”

Then I believe God gave me one more step: “Study him.”

So, next week that’s where I’ll pick up. We’ll talk about some ways of turning the tables to study the devil…even in the midst of the devil studying you. I’ll also share some more insight that I received about my dream. Stay tuned!

Have you had a time where you discovered the devil studying you? Tell us about it by leaving a comment below.

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If you know anyone that could benefit from this, please pay it forward!  Share this post via the sharing links below.  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV) 

1. “Falling In Love Again With Your Lord- Day 7.” Falling In Love Again With Your Lord – What Does It Really Mean to Love the Lord with All Your Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength? Are You Thirsting for the Lord to Do a Radical Work in Your Life and in Your Heart? Join Us for This Ten-Day Plan from Thistlebend Ministries. Psalm 63 Will Reveal the Thirst-Quenching Relationship God Desires to Have with Us., Thistlebend Ministries, www.bible.com/reading-plans/541-falling-in-love-again/day/7. ↑