Doctors do it. Detectives do it. Aliens are alleged to do it. The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines the verb form of “probe” as follows: “to search into and explore very thoroughly: subject to a penetrating investigation.” Probing is a long-accepted military practice. In combat operations, a commander will probe the enemy’s defenses to find a weak point to exploit.

As soldiers of the cross, we can be sure that our enemy is probing us for weaknesses in our defenses as well. How exactly does the enemy do this? He can’t read our minds, but he can observe our actions. He pays attention. Scripture gives us evidence of that fact.

In the Book of Job, we read that “there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them” (1:6, ESV). The Lord asked him where he had been, and Satan responded that he had been “going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it” (vs. 7). The Lord asked Satan what he thought of “His servant Job” (FYI, He knew the answer already).

Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.” (Vs. 9-10)

Satan was paying attention to this man Job, and he was devising plans to destroy him.

In Matthew Chapter 3, we see Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist, followed by His 40 days in the wilderness without food or water. At the end of the 40 days, Satan came to Jesus with this challenge: “If you are the Son of God…” (4:3). Where did he get that idea? From the time that the angels announced the birth of the Lamb of God and sent the shepherds into Bethlehem, you can be sure that Satan was keeping tabs on the son of Mary. I imagine he or one of his stoolie demons was there at the Jordan River observing the proceedings.

And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (3:16-17)

Unlike the Holy Spirit, who is with us from conversion to our graduation into glory, Satan and his stooges can’t be everywhere all the time, but he can observe our actions. He is only concerned with those who are a threat to his kingdom, the kingdom of darkness. When God uses us to bring light into the darkness, the enemy takes notice. The good news for us is that we are promised victory. “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)

The Book of Acts records a noteworthy incident. The Apostle Paul was in Corinth, and God worked through him in a powerful way. Some Jewish exorcists, the seven sons of Sceva, attempted to cast out demons using Jesus’s name.

“I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. (19:13-16)

When my earthly journey is done, I pray the enemy will also recognize my name as a light-bearer of King Jesus.

What say ye, Man of Valor?
Semper Fidelis!