Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to
stand firm against all the strategies of the devil.
Ephesians 6:11 NLT
I have often heard it said that if the devil is coming after you...
stand firm against all the strategies of the devil.
Ephesians 6:11 NLT
I have often heard it said that if the devil is coming after you...
...it must be because you're doing something right. And let me say that all throughout my years as a Christian, I found this to be an absolute truth. The devil hates God's children, and he will seek to pursue and destroy us in every way possible.
If you mean business with God, the devil will mean business with you. But that's okay. As the "accuser" of the Lord's servants, his wrath towards us is understandable. Evicted from heaven after causing an act of mutiny and revolt, Satan and his helpers were cast down to earth, where he probably hit the ground with a big thud. Angry and humiliated, the devil was now filled with rage towards both God and mankind, especially because man was created in God's image.
And over the centuries, the devil's anger has not diminished one bit. He remains a bitter foe who, while unable to hurt God directly, seeks to do so by striking back at His children. Those, who, like myself, have joined God's family through faith in His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
According to the Scriptures, the devil's role as an "accuser" tells us that he derives great joy at being a "tattletale" who tells God about our sins, as if the Lord doesn't know all about them already. But Satan's purpose in this is mercenary. Ultimately, he desires to cause harm.
The devil knows that if he could cause me to experience excessive guilt, sorrow, and shame for doing something sinful, it would in turn cause me to experience depression, despair and defeat. His end game is destruction. Thus, he pursues relentlessly. But again, this is a good sign. I'm a target because my story of forgiveness, redemption and hope is having a good impact on hungry souls. Hence, my being on Satan's hit list.
I've nothing to fear, however, because the Lord has already promised in His word that He will defend and fight for me. He will be my refuge, as well.
"The Lord shall fight for you, and you shall hold your peace" (Exodus 14:14). "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble" (Psalm 46:1). "My soul, wait upon God, for my victory comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, and a strong fortress from which I will not be shaken" (Psalm 62:1-2).
As believers in Jesus, we are called to be of sober mind, watchful, and reliant on God's power to help us resist these attacks from the devil.
D.B.
If you mean business with God, the devil will mean business with you. But that's okay. As the "accuser" of the Lord's servants, his wrath towards us is understandable. Evicted from heaven after causing an act of mutiny and revolt, Satan and his helpers were cast down to earth, where he probably hit the ground with a big thud. Angry and humiliated, the devil was now filled with rage towards both God and mankind, especially because man was created in God's image.
And over the centuries, the devil's anger has not diminished one bit. He remains a bitter foe who, while unable to hurt God directly, seeks to do so by striking back at His children. Those, who, like myself, have joined God's family through faith in His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
According to the Scriptures, the devil's role as an "accuser" tells us that he derives great joy at being a "tattletale" who tells God about our sins, as if the Lord doesn't know all about them already. But Satan's purpose in this is mercenary. Ultimately, he desires to cause harm.
The devil knows that if he could cause me to experience excessive guilt, sorrow, and shame for doing something sinful, it would in turn cause me to experience depression, despair and defeat. His end game is destruction. Thus, he pursues relentlessly. But again, this is a good sign. I'm a target because my story of forgiveness, redemption and hope is having a good impact on hungry souls. Hence, my being on Satan's hit list.
I've nothing to fear, however, because the Lord has already promised in His word that He will defend and fight for me. He will be my refuge, as well.
"The Lord shall fight for you, and you shall hold your peace" (Exodus 14:14). "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble" (Psalm 46:1). "My soul, wait upon God, for my victory comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, and a strong fortress from which I will not be shaken" (Psalm 62:1-2).
As believers in Jesus, we are called to be of sober mind, watchful, and reliant on God's power to help us resist these attacks from the devil.
D.B.
