If there’s one thing we know about Satan’s tactics, it’s that they are subtle and play on our deepest fears and insecurities. And what better way to spread chaos than by using the very events that already shake our world: pandemics, wars, and natural disasters? By feeding off the fear these events cause and manipulating our response, Satan can push us toward division, isolation, and even a loss of freedom.

In this post, we’ll explore how Satan could use these major global events to systematically destroy the world—spreading fear, inciting division, and eroding our faith in God’s plan.

1. Using Pandemics to Breed Panic and Strip Away Freedoms

Imagine this: a pandemic sweeps across the world, creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. It’s a scenario that has repeated throughout history, but now, with instant access to information (and misinformation), panic spreads faster than the virus itself. In times like these, people seek security in any way they can—whether that means giving up certain freedoms or accepting sweeping new policies.

The Tactic: Satan would seize on this moment to amplify fear and create a sense of hopelessness. Fear, after all, is a powerful tool that makes people more willing to sacrifice their freedoms for a sense of safety. He might tempt leaders to impose increasingly authoritarian measures, using the public’s fear as a means to control and restrict their rights.

Example: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people felt isolated, overwhelmed, and unsure of whom to trust. Social interactions became limited, and in some cases, people even turned against one another, blaming friends or family who disagreed on how to handle the crisis. These rifts can have a lasting impact, as isolation and mistrust become the norm rather than the exception.

The Result: Fear can weaken our faith, leading us to put our trust in human systems and solutions instead of relying on God. If Satan can keep us in a state of perpetual fear, he can strip us of the freedoms God intended us to have, creating a world where people are so focused on survival that they lose sight of the bigger picture.

2. Turning Natural Disasters into Weapons of Fear

From devastating earthquakes to powerful hurricanes, natural disasters are a fact of life. But Satan would use these tragedies to drive a wedge between people and God, making them question His goodness and plan.

The Tactic: When disaster strikes, people often ask, “Why would a loving God let this happen?” Satan whispers in those moments of doubt, turning natural tragedies into reasons to lose faith. He feeds into the narrative that these disasters are proof of a random, uncaring universe where survival is all that matters, pushing us toward self-preservation and away from compassion.

Example: Consider the immediate aftermath of a major earthquake or hurricane. Communities are often left struggling to survive, with resources like food, water, and shelter in high demand. Satan could use this environment to encourage a scarcity mindset, making people prioritize themselves over helping others. This fear-driven self-focus can erode the community bonds that typically bring us together during times of crisis.

The Result: Rather than seeing natural disasters as opportunities to lean on faith and help one another, people begin to see each other as competition for survival. Compassion and generosity give way to suspicion and fear. When we lose sight of our calling to care for others, it’s easier to drift into a mindset that values only our personal well-being.

3. Fueling Geopolitical Conflict and Endless Wars

War has plagued humanity since the beginning, and Satan knows that a world constantly at war is a world distracted, fearful, and unstable. Geopolitical conflict creates a steady hum of tension, draining resources, human lives, and hope.

The Tactic: Satan would encourage superpowers to engage in conflicts that seem unending, with each nation convinced of its moral superiority and justification for battle. By encouraging endless wars, he creates a world that is always on edge, constantly suspicious and ready to fight. Nations pour their resources into military efforts, leaving little room for peace or prosperity.

Example: Think about how much focus and energy are poured into war. Lives are lost, families are broken, and resources that could be used for good are instead funneled into destruction. And in times of war, governments often impose measures to “protect” their citizens, leading to a decrease in individual freedoms. The consequences of these wars leave generations traumatized, creating a cycle of fear and hostility.

The Result: When countries are embroiled in endless conflicts, people lose sight of peace, reconciliation, and cooperation. Individuals start to see people from other nations or groups as enemies, perpetuating hatred and division. The cycle of war and mistrust becomes the norm, overshadowing the message of love and unity that Jesus taught.

4. The Rise of Authoritarianism as a Response to Fear

When people are afraid, they tend to look for strong leaders to restore order. But this can lead to a dangerous willingness to accept authoritarian measures if it promises security. Satan uses fear to manipulate people into giving up their God-given rights and freedoms, making it seem like the only way to survive is through control and compliance.

The Tactic: Satan whispers that freedom is too risky and that safety requires submission to power. He can encourage leaders to take advantage of these crises to impose policies that would otherwise be unacceptable, turning fearful citizens into compliant subjects.

Example: During times of crisis, leaders sometimes take “emergency measures” that restrict freedoms and increase surveillance. These measures are often justified as being temporary, but they can easily become permanent, eroding the basic freedoms that define a healthy society.

The Result: A society that values safety over freedom becomes a society that’s willing to sacrifice its principles. People end up losing their voice, their autonomy, and ultimately their purpose, trading it all for a false sense of security.

5. Undermining Faith in God’s Sovereignty

When people are bombarded by constant news of disasters, wars, and conflicts, it becomes easy to feel like the world is spiraling out of control. Satan can use these moments to undermine people’s faith in God’s plan, making it seem like everything is random, chaotic, and hopeless.

The Tactic: Satan wants people to feel overwhelmed, powerless, and alone. When people start to believe that there is no rhyme or reason to life, that we are all at the mercy of an unpredictable world, they are more likely to abandon faith. After all, why trust a God who seemingly allows so much suffering?

Example: After a tragic event, like a massive earthquake or a terror attack, you often hear people questioning, “Where was God?” Satan capitalizes on this doubt, using it to make people question God’s goodness and plan. He sows seeds of despair, leading people to conclude that they are better off taking control into their own hands, turning to human solutions rather than seeking God’s guidance.

The Result: When people lose their sense of God’s sovereignty, they are more likely to feel alone and disconnected. Rather than seeing God as their rock in times of trouble, they turn to other sources for stability—money, power, and control. But these things are fleeting, leaving people in a perpetual state of insecurity and fear.

Holding Onto Hope in a Fearful World

The good news is that, no matter how intense these tactics become, God’s love and truth are stronger. In a world that seems more chaotic by the day, we are reminded in Romans 8:38–39 that nothing can separate us from the love of God. When we keep our eyes on Christ and ground ourselves in His Word, we can resist the pull of fear and isolation.

In 2 Timothy 1:7, Paul reminds us, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Even when the world is shaking, our faith provides a foundation that cannot be moved. Satan may use pandemics, wars, and disasters to create chaos, but God uses these same events to draw us closer to Him, to strengthen our faith, and to remind us of our hope that transcends anything this world can throw at us.

In these times, let’s choose faith over fear, community over isolation, and God’s truth over Satan’s lies. When we trust in God’s sovereignty and seek His peace, we become lights in a dark world—a world that, no matter how broken, can never extinguish God’s eternal hope.