Identify the Source
Satan uses people and circumstances, but they are not our real enemy—he is. He works through people and circumstances, then delights in watching us react without ever realising that he is the source. When Satan used Peter to try to prevent Jesus from going to the cross to complete the task God had sent Him to do, ‘Jesus turned away from Peter and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are in My way [an offence and a hindrance and a snare to Me]...”’ (Matthew 16:23 AMP) Satan used Peter, but Jesus knew that Peter was not His problem. So He ‘turned away’ from Peter and addressed the source of the problem—Satan. First, identify the source of your problem.
At the cross Jesus prayed, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.’ (Luke 23:34 NKJV) When you understand that Satan’s strategy is to use other people to tear you down, it’s easier to forgive them. You don’t have to carry the weight of resentment, or lash out, or even change them; you can leave them in God’s hands. You won’t be exempt from the devil’s attack, but you’ll be shielded from it and you won’t be discouraged or defeated by it. You see, if the devil can’t defeat you outright, he’ll settle for keeping you pinned down. That way you’ll never move forward in victory. Second, use the authority God has given you. Jesus said, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven. Behold, I give you the authority…over all the power of the enemy...’ (Luke 10:18–19 NKJV) So identify the source, and use your God-given authority.