Osama Bin Laden issued another statement this last week threatening to attack America with more terrorist attacks, and yet offering a truce in the hopes that Iraq and Afghanistan may be able to rebuild. It is another in a long line of statements by the terrorist leader, and predictably, the offer of a truce was noticeably disregarded by Democrats and Republicans alike.

The thinking of many is that Osama Bin Laden is on his last rope and offering any straw that may be taken so America will stop waging war against him. The saddest tragedy of all, however, is that if Osama dies or is killed, there will be another to take his place.

In Scripture we read of God, who cares so much for His creation, warning us about another deceptive and deceitful terrorist who is playing for keeps. It is Satan. He has been around since before the foundation of the world and has been the motivating factor behind all terrorists that we see throughout history and today. He is deceptive, cunning, crafty, always on the prowl and knows the ways to attack mankind. It worked in the Garden of Eden and has worked on mankind since that time. Jesus called him a murderer and a father of all lies (John 8:44). God calls him what he truly is.

Further, God has warned us how he attacks. Satan uses legitimate desires God has given man to attack him. He has used the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life (1 John 2:15-17) to attack God’s crown of creation. He attacked all three in Eve’s case in the garden, and today uses all three, at various times, to attack us today. This is why it is imperative to control our lusts, rather than allowing our lusts to control us.

God has given us the means with which to fight this enemy. First, we need to watch and pray, always keeping our eyes and ears open to Satan’s subtle attacks. We need to know and use the sword of the Spirit, in fighting against him. Jesus set the example in fighting against Satan by using Scripture to defeat his temptations in the wilderness. Further, Jesus was always keenly aware when Satan tempted him, even using some of His disciples to tempt him (Matthew 16:13ff).

Brethren, this is a war for our souls and the souls of those we love. We don’t need to make a truce; we don’t need to seek compromises; we don’t need to give up. We need to sharpen the sword of the Spirit and use it daily, yea, hourly, in our fight against this cunning enemy. He is the greatest terrorist of all—promising the world, yet giving nothing but hell in his wake. Don’t be deceived – fight!