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Let me start this post with a clear caveat: Satan will not ultimately win as he attacks God’s church.
Jesus broke the powers through His cross (Col. 2:15), and the enemy will eventually be cast into outer darkness (Rev. 20:10). In the meantime, though, the devil strategically attacks us.
Consider the following ways he seeks to get the “up”per hand.
1. He wants us to mess up in sin. The consequences of our sin are numerous. Our witness loses credibility. Our prayers are hindered. Our joy wanes. Relationships often suffer. The world looks at us and sees no difference—and the enemy temporarily wins.
2. He wants us to cover up our sin. He did it in the Garden of Eden, and he still does it today: If we sin, he wants us to hide like Adam and Eve did. That way, we never confess it and turn from it. Likewise, the enemy wants the local church to ignore the sin among its members.
3. He wants us to get hung up on difficulties and discouragement. “You’ve served God faithfully,” he says to us, “but what good has it done? You’re still struggling and lonely.” He delights when we cower in the cave like Elijah (1 Kin. 19), forgetting God’s previous blessings and focusing on only the trouble at hand.
4. He wants us to clam up in evangelism. God has only one plan to get the gospel to our neighbors and the nations: believers telling the story to others (Rom. 10:9-16). It’s the enemy who points out reasons for us not to share the gospel. Maybe you’ve heard messages like “You’re going to lose your friendship” or “You really don’t know enough to do evangelism.”
5. He wants us to bow up over position and power. The enemy who himself sought the throne of God is pleased when we guard our turf and protect our positions in the local church. “You’ve served in that position for years,” he reminds us, “and why should you give it up? Nobody can do it as well as you can.”
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SOURCE: Charisma News
Chuck Lawless
