Spiritual Warfare
Under Attack
____
Dictionary
- attack
- to set upon or work against forcefully attack an enemy fortification.
- to assail with unfriendly or bitter words
- a politician verbally attacked by critics.
______
These
are the days of unrest and attacks.
He
moves on us with vengeance because we serve Jesus and others.
The
attack can be from anyone, family, friend, church member, or stranger. It
imperative we rebuke and resist satan, he is the source behind the person. We
must pray for growth and increased strength and righteousness.
The
scriptures tell us as Christians we grow in strength when attacked, sometimes
that’s tough to do.
When
we are attacked it is a spiritual warfare, we must always remember the source.
We must blame the source, we must rebuke the enemy. We must NOT attack or fight
the individual, we must pray for him/her.
Philippians
4;7
And the
peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard
your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Born-again Christians are no longer enslaved to satan or to sin but this does not mean we are sin free or immune to the temptations that he puts before us.
Ephesians 6;10-12
Exhortations for Spiritual Warfare
10 Finally, be strengthened in
the Lord and in the strength of his power. 11 Clothe yourselves
with the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the schemes
of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this
darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.
The
Word tells us not to fight back but pray for the individual that attacks us.
We
must resist and rebuke the enemy!
Matthew
16:22-23
22 So Peter took him aside and
began to rebuke him: “God forbid, Lord! This must not happen to you!” 23 But
he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling
block to me, because you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but on
man’s.”
Satan
and or his demonic forces attacks believers when we are vulnerable. He
attacks when we take on a spiritual adventure.
Satan
will strongly attack when a non believer is considering and attempting to be a
Christian. He will attack when a person becomes a believer, they are still
vulnerable, he will attempt to twist their thought process, create “doubt”
which is his favorite and tool. It’s so important when a person becomes a
believer (saved) we must pray with and for them each day.
The
scriptures tells us as a Christian we will be attacked by the enemy.
How
we react is the key and the Lord is watching us and our reaction. When we hand
our troubles over to him he is pleased.
Ephesians 6:13-18
13 For this reason, take up the
full armor of God so that you may be able to stand your ground on the evil day,
and having done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm therefore, by
fastening the belt of truth around your waist, by putting on the breastplate of
righteousness, 15 by fitting your feet with the preparation that
comes from the good news of peace, 16 and in all of this, by taking
up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of
the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the
sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With every prayer
and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, and to this end be alert, with
all perseverance and requests for all the saints.
The Word tells us we will grow stronger in faith when we are attacked and follow Gods will.
2
Timothy 4:18
18 The Lord will rescue me from every
evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory
for ever and ever. Amen.
1
Peter 3;14
But
even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear
their threats; do not be frightened.”
The enemy is about temptations, so subtle and smooth.
The
variables of subtle complexity is staggering.
The
Bible tells us he is the lawless one, the son of destruction.
Whatever
the son of destruction can do to destroy he will.
The evil one detests Christians and Christianity and will do anything to attack individuals and the masses. He constantly attacks Pastors, ministers, and teachers of the Word, they must constantly be on their toes, and stay tuned up. The enemy knows if he can twist their minds even in the most subtle of ways it will effect many, the masses.
Sadly,
Christian leaders often are the targets of vicious attacks from those that
profess to be Christians. There are Pastors who have grown discouraged and left
the ministry because they could not handle the criticism and personal attacks
on them and on their families. Somehow they thought that because they were
serving the Lord, they would get an exemption from criticism. If you serve the
Lord in any capacity, you will be criticized and attacked. Count on it!
When
we are under attack by someone, a Christian, it is devastating. It doesn’t do
any good to try and defend yourself or argue.
When
we turn to God and place it in his hands we are saying we have trust and faith
in him.
We
must remember to turn to the Lord when we are attacked. When we are attacked
verbally by someone the Lord will protect us! So many times if a personal
attack happens by a Christian or non-Christian we revert to the flesh and want
strike back. We should not fret, get angry, or attempt revenge.
We
must remain calm, have faith and trust in the Lord.
Psalm 37
By
David.
1
Do
not fret when wicked men/women seem to succeed!
Do
not envy evildoers!
2
For
they will quickly dry up like grass,
and
wither away like plants.
3
Trust
in the Lord and do what is right!
Settle
in the land and maintain your integrity!
4
Then
you will take delight in the Lord,
and
he will answer your prayers.
5
Commit
your future to the Lord!
Trust
in him, and he will act on your behalf.
6
He
will vindicate you in broad daylight,
and
publicly defend your just cause.
7
Wait
patiently for the Lord!
Wait
confidently for him!
Do
not fret over the apparent success of a sinner,
a
man/woman who carries out wicked schemes!
8
Do
not be angry and frustrated!
Do
not fret! That only leads to trouble!
9
Wicked
men/women will be wiped out,
but
those who rely on the Lord are the ones who will possess the land.
10
Evil
men/women will soon disappear;
you
will stare at the spot where they once were, but they will be gone.
11
he
rescues them from evil men/women and delivers them,
for
they seek his protection.
_
Ephesians
6;12
For
our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against
the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual
forces of evil in the heavens.
Deuteronomy
28;7
The
Lord will cause your enemies who attack you to be struck down before
you; they will attack you from one direction but flee from you in seven
different directions.
Psalm
118;13
“You
aggressively attacked me and tried to knock me down, but the Lord helped
me.
Jeremiah
1;19
They
will attack you but they will not be able to overcome you, for I will be with
you to rescue you,” says the Lord.
Hebrews
1;9
You
have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness. So God, your
God, has anointed you over your companions with the oil of rejoicing.
Jeremiah
15;20
I
will make you as strong as a wall to these people, a fortified wall of bronze.
They will attack you, but they will not be able to overcome you. For I will be
with you to rescue you and deliver you,” says the Lord.
Luke
4;10
for
it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you.
But
the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from
the evil one.
Matthew 5;38-48
Retaliation
38 “You have heard that it was
said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But
I say to you, do not resist the evildoer. But whoever strikes you on the right
cheek, turn the other to him as well. 40 And if someone wants to
sue you and to take your tunic, give him your coat also. 41 And if
anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to the
one who asks you, and do not reject the one who wants to borrow from you.
Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was
said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘hate your enemy.’ 44 But
I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so
that you may be like your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on
the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For
if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax
collectors do the same, don’t they? 47 And if you only greet your
brothers, what more do you do? Even the Gentiles do the same, don’t they? 48 So
then, be perfect, as your Heavenly Father.
Summation
What are the keys to success in spiritual warfare? We rely on God’s power, not our own. We put on the whole armor of God. We draw on the power of Scripture—the Word of God is the Spirit’s sword. We do not fight back, its about love. We wait patiently. We pray in perseverance and holiness, making our appeal to God. We stand firm.
timothy skon, Chaplain
serving others, guided by Jesus
2/23/14