As we wrap up our concepts on war and oppression, I think it is important to realize that Satan’s major thrust is to get us off course, distracted and in a mindset, that would keep us from “living the life” of prosperity and peace – especially within our families, churches and society.
- He tries to undermine Christian principles but then act like a jerk at home; and
- He tries to make us prioritize friendship with our children over parental leadership (or discipline), only to watch them abandon God’s principles when they go to college.
- He tries to keeps us from getting lost in worship by making us self-conscious of what we sound like, look like, or are thought of by others; and
- He tries to deceive many believers into thinking there is no true joy, only day-to-day toil and that the only good Christian is a sour-faced prude.
- He tries to divide believers by using doctrines to create choices among churches;
- He tries to divide promote the concept that liberally interpreting the Bible is better than denying it, thereby twisting Scripture to serve his own end;
- He tries to get us to bas our choice of church home on things like choirs, sanctuaries, and programs, rather than on the people who are the Church;
- He provides distractions in our personal life, church, ministry, and prayer life to keep us from asking, “Where are the poor, widows, orphans, and unevangelized being served through our prayers, our schedule, and our budget?”; and
- He uses spiritual growth to create a spirit of piety and self-righteousness so we become “Pharisees” who use a comparative approach to others.
- He hides the truth causing us to see the poor and needy (homeless, refugees, widows, orphans, fatherless, aliens, strangers needing a friend, the unemployed, handicapped, elderly, and the children in the womb about to be aborted) as a distraction from the Great Commission, rather than as part of it; and
- He hides the truth keeping believers blind to the fact that God takes personally whether we feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, visit prisoners, or care for the needy.
Again, it’s all about your ability to tune into what you cannot see. A person of wisdom will know that when they face a powerful enemy, they must rely on Kingdom resources or they will be crushed. Spiritual resources, superior knowledge gained from thousands of years of experience, and potent battle strategies are probably not your greatest assets. You must have spiritual assets to fight spiritual battles.
You simply must rely on El Shaddai to enter the battle with you. God Almighty will give you the feeling of having the Trinity’s unequaled, fierce, and devastating power at your fingertips. You have the security that nothing can overpower you because Shaddai means “sufficient.” God is a powerhouse! who can devastate our enemy but also be the One who provides for all our needs as we battle the trickery and temptations of the dark side.
Take up your mentality as a warrior. Understand that you are enclosed with a hedge of protection around you that NO ONE can enter unless God ordains it. Within that hedge don’t let the bullet points above creep into your home, church or beliefs. Your power is unlimited. All you must do is use it.
Love Dad