Know Your Enemy = Change Your Activity
It strikes me as odd sometimes…we say we believe in Satan yet we live and act as if he is nothing more than a figment of our imagination or a comic book character. He is neither, to be sure, that is if you believe the Bible.
If I really believe in a devil, a real live entity of evil that is bent on our destruction (see John 10 and Ephesians 6), then I will live as if he is indeed alive, active, and pursuing my downfall with a scheme and a plan. In light of this biblical truth, I need to know my enemy and in response, change my activity.
We should not be ignorant of his schemes nor should we be surprised when we see the destruction he leaves in his wake. We do not have to give him much rope to hang us with, we usually do a good enough job left to our own sinful nature. Yet this age old adversary is wise and seasoned and he is willing to wait. His patience is formidable and if we are not submitted to the Lordship of Christ in every area, our enemy may target one of those little secret closets that we have packed things away in…unforgiveness, lust, insecurity, or regret.
I know this about the devil.
- He is evil, wicked, calculating, and void of any good at all
- He hates God and God’s image in this world and works tirelessly to destroy all that God created as good
- He hates you and me all humanity because we are the crowning creation in God’s world and we are His image bearers
- He is not equal with God but is created by God and under the ultimate authority of our Sovereign Lord
- His destiny is eternal destruction in hell
Since I know these things about my enemy, I must now change my activity. I must live as if both God and Satan are real, but not equal, and I must pursue Godliness, holiness, humility, and genuine love for God and neighbor. I must be aware, sober and vigilant in my struggle against the spiritual powers and influences that I cannot see but that I battle daily nonethless. I must always be on offense (living a life of worship and obedience to Christ) and defense (fighting temptation and the enemy by the power of the cross and the risen Christ). I must avoid people and perceptions that would tempt me to compromise. I must stay clear of scenarios that could lead me down a road of regret and shame. I must read the Bible as if it is my authority, not a book of suggestions. I must pray as if my life depends on it.
There is too much to lose to live as if our enemy is not real, active, and planning and plotting our destruction. But it is insufficient to fight him in our flesh. We will lose. Every time. Our victory is in Jesus Christ who is risen and coming again. Rest in His victory and change your activity as if you serve the Most High God who will rule and reign for eternity.
Great post today. Knowing that our victory is in Jesus, and that Satan will not win provides us with a Peace that only God can provide.
With this knowledge, we must as you indicated be on the offense and defense. God will provide us with what we need for battle. We have to put “pride to the side” and let God lead us.
Blessings!
Comment by Michael Levitt — July 9, 2009 @ 11:37 am
Have you ever wondered exactly how the Devil tries to destroy us? Sometimes I think he “speaks” to us in the same way people often refer to God having “spoken” to them. I’m not talking about the Bible, rather about when people say, “I felt like God was saying to me that I should take X job…” or whatever.
I don’t think the Devil is magically putting filth on the T.V. or whatever. Humans are fully capable and evil enough to do that on their own. What is the Devil doing to get us?
I wouldn’t be surprised if half the time people say “God” told them to do something, it is the Devil or demons. The Scriptures do refer to him as an angel of light. Half the time his ideas may even sound good or noble. But we need to base our actions and beliefs on Scripture alone, not on some good feeling we get when a thought enters our head.
Oh, and just as a side note, Jesus did not avoid people and perceptions that would tempt him to compromise. His own disciples tempted him at times. (”Get behind me Satan,” He said to Peter.) He talked to them. He ministered to them. Those are the people we’re here to reach, brother.
Comment by michael — July 9, 2009 @ 2:52 pm
Clayton,
You hit the nail on the head with every word in this post. Just like there is a God in Heaven who loves us and wants us to succeed there is a devil in Hell who hates and despises us and wants to see us fail. Thank you for this post.
Craig
Comment by Craig Clark — July 9, 2009 @ 3:29 pm
See 1 Timothy 4 for a good description of at least one way the demonic forces try to destroy us and God’s plan for us. “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will … follow deceiving demons … they forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.”
Demons attempt to trick us into abstaining from certain foods, drinks, and relationships. They have us set up rules and restrictions over and above God’s own. Every ounce of joy they sap out of our lives delights them and makes us that much less attractive to the world around us.
Comment by JD — July 10, 2009 @ 2:44 pm
Devil is powerful, but GOD rules it all.
Comment by Charlie Rice — July 17, 2009 @ 12:33 am
clayton this is awesome…God has speaking to me about this.
Comment by Josh Meadows — July 17, 2009 @ 12:22 pm