Words From The Wheel

Now, more than ever, we are faced with an outright and very blatant assault in the spirit. The enemy, satan, doesn’t sleep nor slumber, and he doesn’t care which tactics he has to use. He WILL attack, of that you can be sure!

Many Christians, when they are under attack, will automatically go into defensive mode, but not in the appropriate way. They automatically think, “What am I doing wrong?!” or “What did I do to deserve this?!”

It’s true that our actions or inactions can create a spiritual environment that is far less than appealing. While God does not send evil, He does sometimes allow us to wallow a bit in a pit of our own digging. Praying for discernment is a good way to find out if this is the case. But more often than not, it’s something totally different.

Just When I Thought I Was Doing Good…

It happens a lot of times after you’ve just started going back to church. Or started boldly witnessing, or teaching, or fulfilling any calling God has placed on your life. For a moment, it’s smooth sailing and everything looks like it’s going along like it’s supposed to.

But then things change…

In my very own walk, I have actually been guilty of saying, You know, I didn’t have all these problems when I wasn’t in the church (or when I wasn’t witnessing, etc.,)! If this is what I get for trying to do good, I’m just giving up now before it gets any worse!

Well, that is EXACTLY the kind of thing satan wants to hear!

The truth is, as long as you’re not a threat to the enemy’s domain, you’re not GOING to have an opponent in him! Please don’t mistake this… satan doesn’t care WHAT you put in God’s place. As long as you’re not serving Him, and not walking according to the Word, and not practicing your rights as a joint-heir with Christ Jesus, then satan doesn’t have anything to worry about.

Because a “good person” can go to hell just as fast as the vilest sinner.

Threatening the Enemy Camp

When you begin to NOT forsake the assembling of yourselves together… when you begin to read and study the Word daily… when you begin to make prayer a necessary habit… things change. The enemy’s camp is suddenly on high alert that there is a very real and present threat that needs to be taken care of.

One of the most effective enemy tactics, especially for new Christians, is “whatever worked before.” In other words, if you have a weak spot (and OH, we all do!), then THAT is where he’ll attack. It’s that age-old button that’s worked a million times before. And he will push and push and push until he gets the desired result.

Let me put it this way… if you have no taste for alcohol, satan won’t bother with tempting you to drink. On the other hand, if you are easily swayed to hate or gossip, or speak in a demeaning manner to someone, he’ll give you EVERY OPPORTUNITY!

Anything you place on a pedestal in your life is in danger of being tampered with, all to the end that you will completely lose your cool and “give up.”

So what do you do?

I’m glad you asked!

#1 – Don’t Be Ignorant of the Devices of Satan

Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him. For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

2 Corinthians 2:8-11

It’s important that we understand how satan works. The only real way to do that is to READ THE WORD. It may sound cliche, but when it comes down to the wire, you’d better know! If you read the Scripture above slowly, you can see the opposite of what Paul is saying as well… that if we ARE ignorant of satan’s devices, then he can definitely get an advantage over us.

#2 – Put the Full Armor of God On Daily

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Ephesians 6:10-18

Putting on the whole armor of God takes a little more than just tossing on a scarf or pulling on a baseball cap. This spiritual armor comes only one way… and that’s knowing the Word.

There are lots of things that can put holes in your armor. False doctrine, listening to teachers who cater to itching ears, and filling your eyes, ears, and heart with evil are some of the things that cause problems. Again, it is a constant reading of the Word, and the Truth it contains, along with prayers that the Holy Ghost would teach you, like the Bible says will happen (Luke 12:12; John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:13).

#3 – Surround Yourself With Wise Counsel

Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.

Proverbs 27:9

It seems like when everything is going good, you have no lack of friends and support. But as soon as something bad starts to happen, your circle becomes smaller and smaller. Such are the ways of life in the flesh.

However, true friends, Christian brothers and sisters, and those God puts in your life as Pastor, mentor, or teacher are more likely to stick around to drop some Truth bombs from time to time! And trust me, you want that! When we’re in the midst of an attack, sometimes we just don’t think straight and can’t see clearly. It’s these friends, this wise counsel, that can really make the difference.

Peace Is Waiting For You!

I won’t say that there will ever come a time that the enemy will STOP all manner of attack. However, I CAN tell you, with absolute assurance, that as you begin to look through your spiritual eyes more often, and your flesh eyes less often, you’ll suddenly be filled with that peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7)!

You’ll also be able to more easily discern what is an attack, and what isn’t. When you know the attack is ongoing, that’s when you can use every promise that you’ve learned – through READING THE WORD of course – to stand. Just like Paul said… having done all to stand… STAND therefore!