March 24, 2016

Resist Satan’s Attacks

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." -- John 10:10

I want peace. I want to live in the moment, to be thankful for what I have and where I am. I don’t want to worry about what might or might not happen. I don’t want to bother with things I can’t predict or control.

Satan things that’s funny. How do I know? Because his attack is relentless. The Bible calls it spiritual warfare. It is real and it is way beyond anything I am capable of combating on my own.

In Ephesians, Paul talks about the armor of God. But those are things we put on before we go in to battle. It’s too late once the battle wages all around you.

I keep thinking of a scene in the War Room. Elizabeth has finally broken and cried out to God. Afterwards, she keeps repeating “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” That’s out of James. She basically throws the devil out of her home and her life.

In real life, it’s not that easy because the devil comes back again and again. Every time you think you’ve finally reached a place of peace, here he comes again with another attack. Satan doesn’t want us to pray. He doesn’t want us to seek God. He wants to negate all we are in Christ. But he can only do that if we allow it.

One of my favorite weapons is Scripture. When the enemy attack is in my mind, I push it aside with Scripture. It isn’t an easy battle. I repeat the same verses over and over again until the attack passes. Why? Because when Jesus was tempted by the devil, he answered with Scripture. I want to follow Jesus’ example.

I am certain I cannot fight this battle alone. No chance. Scripture tells me to humble myself before God and to stand firm in my faith. I so badly want to do that. I refuse to allow Satan to have my peace.

I resist, not on my own authority or with my own power, but through Jesus. I am nothing without Him. Really I am just another insecure person being battered by people and events who would do me harm. But through Him I have power to defeat this unseen foe.