Scorched Earth (Revelation 20:10)

War is a horror to all its participants. The numerous strategies that have been utilized are ever more devious and deadly. One particularly dastardly tactic is known as the scorched earth policy. This strategy targets and destroys anything useful to the enemy by the advancing or withdrawing force. This includes buildings, water supplies, livestock, food, and even people. History is replete with brutal examples of this strategy. In more recent times, Saddam Hussein utilized this tactic by setting fires to the oil wells in Kuwait as his army withdrew from their country in 1991. Over six hundred oil wells were set ablaze, requiring nearly a year to extinguish the last one.

The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Revelation 20:10 (NKJV)

Satan utilizes a scorched earth policy as he seeks to destroy the lives of believers and nonbelievers alike. He prowls like a lion, eager to target and destroy any hope we may have in God. The Bible is very clear, he has already lost the war and he knows this. But he is still willing to fight smaller battles, hoping to claim as many victims as possible. He seeks to persuade mankind with his lies and deceptions. His strategy is to appeal to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Like the scorched earth policy, he takes what is useful and good in our lives and distorts or destroys them. A loving family becomes embittered over a financial inheritance from a deceased father. A harmonious work environment becomes contentious as tempers flares over a perceived unequal pay. The strategies are endless; the scorched earth policy shows no favoritism.

We can be discouraged and fall victim to his ploys or we can stand firm, confident in the knowledge that he has been defeated by Jesus Christ. When Jesus triumphantly declared on the Cross, “It is finished!” Satan’s fate was sealed.

Don’t fall victim to Satan’s scorched earth policy. He has been defeated and we will always be victorious if we confess and repent of our sins and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Amen!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.