The Tactics of Satan: Division
- Amy Blossom
- 10 hours ago
- 6 min read
Division among humanity is not random. It is not just a social trend or a collection of misunderstandings. Division is a calculated tactic and deliberate strategy used by the enemy. Jesus Himself said Satan’s goal is “to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10) and division is one of the tactics he uses to do so.
Whether a person believes in Christ or not, every human being is affected by Satan's tactics. War, hatred, prejudice, violence, and bitterness do not come from the heart of God, they come from the adversary who seeks to fracture humanity at every turn.
From the very beginning, Satan has specialized in tearing apart what God designed to be united.
In the garden, he divided Adam and Eve from God.
In heaven, he divided angels from their Creator.
Today, he continues to divide families, churches, friendships, and nations.
The Root of Division
Scripture tells us clearly that division does not come from the Spirit of God. In James 3:16 we read: “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.”
Division thrives anywhere pride and self-centeredness are allowed to rule. This is true in:
marriages
schools
workplaces
communities
nations
political systems
churches
within our own hearts
Long before Satan divided the nations, he divided heaven itself (Isaiah 14:12-15) and his strategy has never changed. If he can divide people, he can conquer them.
Why Satan Causes Division Among All People
There are several reasons why division is an important tactic for the devil. Satan cannot have people unified because if we were, we would recognize the evil very clearly that he perpetrates on his own and through the people he uses in order to push his agenda.
1. To Weaken Humanity as a Whole
Jesus said, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.” (Matthew 12:25). This principle applies globally, as well. A divided society collapses in many areas - morally, spiritually, emotionally, and eventually physically. When people fight amongst themselves, they become easier to manipulate. History proves this time and time again.
2. To Distract Humans from Truth
Whether someone follows Christ or not, division keeps people so focused on attacking one another that they never stop to ask deeper questions like:
Who is influencing these conflicts?
Why does hatred keep multiplying?
Who benefits from our division?
When the world is screaming at each other, Satan is whispering and most people never hear it. They are oblivious to the words he's speaking.
3. To Destroy Relationships, Families, and Nations
Broken marriages, fractured families, hostile communities, and divided nations are all evidence of the same spiritual attack. Humanity was designed to thrive in unity and love (Genesis 1:27; John 17:21), but Satan wants the opposite to happen. He wants people drenched in loneliness, mistrust, suspicion, and constant relational fractures.
4. To Produce Bitterness, Hopelessness, and Hardened Hearts
Division not only divides people, it divides hearts from God. When strife rules a person’s life, bitterness takes root and blinds us from the truth. A bitter heart cannot see anything clearly. Division from the Lord leads to eternal separation.
Modern Examples of Satan’s Strategy at Work in Human Life
The examples of division in today’s society are numerous, and this is exactly how Satan wants it. Unfortunately, mankind is giving the devil exactly what he desires.
In Marriages and Families
A small disagreement multiplies until the home becomes a battleground. Silence replaces affection and suspicion replaces trust. Satan doesn’t need disastrous sins to take place; he can dismantle a family with pride and unforgiveness alone.
In Friendships and Communities
Misunderstandings and disagreements become lifelong grudges. Social media fuels outrage. When these things happens, people become quick to judge and slow to reconcile.
In Society at Large
Labeling. Shaming. Canceling.
The modern world thrives on outrage and hostility between opposing sides - many people even endorse them. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that humanity’s true enemy is not flesh and blood.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
The deeper battle is spiritual and humanity is often unaware of the forces behind the chaos.
Division in Today’s World
Every day we watch society fracture more and more. People are divided in so many ways that it’s hard to keep track. There are distinct divisions within the following groups:
race
gender
politics
religion
ideology
economic class
identity categories
national borders
generational lines
Behind all of this division is the same ancient strategy: Divide humanity so deeply that people forget they were made to love, not hate. This is not all, however. Make the division so palpable that the real enemy is ignored and overlooked.
Racial Division
Satan exploits outward differences to create suspicion, hostility, and fear. God created diversity as a gift and therefore, Satan twists it into a weapon.
Gender Conflict
Where God created men and women to complement one another, Satan creates competition, confusion, resentment, and rivalry.
Political Division
Left vs. right. Conservative vs. progressive. Humanity is being trained to see opponents and enemies rather than neighbors. Satan doesn’t care which side “wins” only that both sides hate each other.
Religious Division
Across the world, conflict between belief systems is intensifying. Instead of seeking truth, many seek power. Instead of humility, they choose hostility. Satan manipulates every side to keep humans fighting instead of seeking God.
Division Among Nations
Wars, terrorism, propaganda, misinformation. These things are not merely geopolitical issues; they are spiritual ones.
Who Benefits From All This?
Only Satan benefits. He uses division to exhaust people emotionally, confuse them mentally, mislead them spiritually, and ultimately turn them against each other and against God. However, he doesn’t do it alone.
Satan Works Through People — His Human Instruments
We cannot overlook a crucial truth: Satan rarely works alone. He works through people, the same way God works through His people.
Scripture describes unbelieving humanity as “…sons of disobedience… in whom the prince of the power of the air now works.” (Ephesians 2:2)
Satan influences, manipulates, and deceives people to carry out his agenda of division. This can include:
national leaders
politicians
activists
celebrities
influencers
educators
media personalities
everyday people
Some of these individuals participate knowingly. Others are completely unaware of the spiritual power behind their words and actions. Either way, the enemy accomplishes his goal.
For this reason, we must be extremely cautious about who we listen to and who we allow to shape our opinions, emotions, and beliefs. When leaders, media outlets, or influencers constantly push division, anger, and hostility, we must recognize the spiritual source behind it.
Satan uses people as megaphones for his message of division. He uses their voices to tear humanity apart by spreading fear and hatred. If we are not discerning, we can become participants in his strategy simply by agreeing with the division he promotes. This is why vigilance is critical. The enemy works through human hearts to sow chaos among us.
The Cure for Division
Jesus prayed for unity not only among believers but for all people to come to truth and peace (John 17:20-23). The heart of God is reconciliation, between people and with Himself. Unity does not require everyone to think the same, look the same, or vote the same. Unity requires humility, respect, compassion, and truth.
Humanity heals when:
people listen before reacting
they forgive before bitterness spreads
truth replaces lies
love replaces fear
humility replaces pride
reconciliation replaces hostility
This is true for believers and for the entire human race.
Standing Guard: A Universal Call
Proverbs 4:23 urges every person to guard their heart: “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.”
Wherever division tries to take root, whether in a home, a marriage, a community, a church, or a nation, we must recognize the spiritual source behind it and refuse to take the bait. Satan cannot destroy what humanity refuses to divide.
Final Thoughts
Division is not accidental, it is one of Satan’s oldest, most effective tactics. He uses it to weaken families, corrupt nations, and fracture humanity at its core. And... he does not work alone. He works through people whose voices stir fear, leaders who promote hostility, and influencers who profit from outrage. Whether they realize it or not, many are carrying out his agenda by pushing bitterness, anger, and suspicion into the hearts of the masses.
God’s heart has always been the opposite:
Where Satan divides, God reconciles.
Where Satan destroys, God restores.
Where Satan deceives, God shows us truth.
Humanity will find peace the moment we refuse to let the enemy use us or influence us. Peace comes when we choose humility over hostility, compassion over accusation, truth over manipulation, and discernment over blind agreement with the world’s noise.
The kingdom of darkness loses its grip the moment people wake up to the spiritual reality behind the division. When we recognize that we are not each other’s enemies and that our true adversary is the one who seeks to tear us apart, unity becomes possible again.
Division is Satan’s work, but reconciliation is God’s victory. Every time we choose unity, forgiveness and truth, we participate in that victory.
Blessings,
Amy