Under Attack

Recently, while visiting with a dear friend we began discussing the real battle of our enemy as Christians, the devil. Admittedly, at one time we had a watered-down reality of who he is, what he tries to do, and the belief that he cannot reach us because we are covered by the blood of Jesus. While understanding, as Christians, we are protected by our Heavenly Father, that doesn’t mean he will not try to come at us.

Not long ago my oldest son lost his very best friend from childhood to a tragic accident. This season of grief brings forth many challenges and experiences that you just see from a different perspective. One day, he was getting ready to leave in his truck, which was parked on the street in front our home, and he was approached by a woman we had never met. She began speaking to him in things he could not make a lot of sense out of, and she also physically displayed some odd behavior with her mouth and tongue while speaking to him. Uncertain of what to do he texted “save me- look outside”. Immediately, my husband and I went out front to see what was going on. We helped shut the conversation down, and she left. My son was in a vulnerable state having just lost his friend, he was by himself, and approachable. It was a reminder to all of us that the enemy is lurking, even right outside our safe home, and looking for opportunities of vulnerability to approach.

Jesus himself was tempted by the devil. Matthew 4 shares this story. After Jesus had fasted “forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came…” (2-3). The devil did not approach until he believed Jesus might be compromised by His state of hunger.

As Christians we are protected by our Heavenly Father, but that doesn’t mean the devil does not seek a way to approach us. Just as my son was safe inside our home, we are safe in Christ, but we need to understand the enemy is lurking right outside looking for an opportunity. I am a surrendered child of God, so my heart is with Christ. However, that doesn’t mean the enemy will not try to stand as close as he can and seek an opportunity if he thinks there is one. John 10:10 very clearly says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” If he is bold and arrogant enough to approach Christ when He was hungry you can guarantee he is bold enough to take advantage of any opportunity he can against us.

This world is enemy territory, and this is not our home, so keeping the mindset that we live in a war zone helps us live more prepared to take on any attacks or approaches our enemy throws our way. I believe our first defense is always the same as my son’s request he made to us, his parents, “save me”. We can cry out to our Heavenly Father to save us, bring help, intercede on our behalf while understanding the Lord’s will always supersedes any other plans for our life. In Genesis 50:19-20 Joseph gives us such wisdom and direction when he spoke to his brothers after they had tried to destroy him and mislead him. It says, “But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good”. As a child of God, there is nothing planned for us that our Heavenly Father cannot use for His purpose and glory. We must remember that God is sovereign over all. 

Being prepared for battle and understanding we are under attack is our next defense system. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” This chapter breaks all of this down so specifically on what we need to do to stand firm during the attacks of the enemy. Our father, Pastor Richard, did an excellent video series called Put on the Full Armor of God that covers this in detail and dives into each piece separately. You can find those videos here if you would like to study that further.

As we battle through each day and unaware of what tomorrow brings, may we desire the supernatural strength to fight. May we grasp the reality of our enemy and vow to pray and fight on our knees. It’s also important to include those we love and those we are called to reach in our prayer's. Our enemy is lurking, but our God is all supreme and not equal to anyone or anything.

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭15‬-‭20‬ ‭

-Rebecca