“Where there’s spiritual opportunity, there will be satanic opposition”. I remember hearing my pastor say this often as I grew up, but I never fully felt the weight of this until my husband and I entered the ministry world together over 16 years ago.
The immediate weight of a target on our backs once we were under the proverbial spotlight was more than I could bear at times.
I’ve discovered that we often forget exactly what/who we are dealing with. Our Enemy is a spiritual enemy! We give far too much “credit” to people.
We need to see ministry hurts, critical people, contentions with other believers, believers who let us down and even many “random and unfortunate” events in our lives for what it is – spiritual warfare. We like to blame people but we need to see it for what it is.
I bet many of us could give personal accounts of flat tires, lots of sicknesses and plain old drama during Vacation Bible School weeks or right before a mission trip or youth conference or camp. It’s bound to happen. “Where there is spiritual opportunity there will be satanic opposition!” See it for what it is.
We can flee to another ministry or stop serving in certain areas, but I can almost promise you that the spiritual warfare will simply take on a new name and a new face. We cannot rid ourselves of Satan’s attacks. But we most certainly can be ready for them.
To sum it up:
1 – Though people will absolutely be held accountable for their behavior and many times must be addressed, stop giving them so much credit and understand that spiritual warfare is alive and well.
2 – Until God gives clear direction elsewhere, stay put and serve your heart out right where you are. Ignore the naysayers and keep doing the next right thing that God has called you to do.
3 – Realize that anytime there’s an opportunity for souls to be saved or lives to be spiritually changed that Satan hates it and will be on the attack. When God is working, so is Satan.
4 – Be ready! Our ONLY listed offensive weapon in Ephesians 6 is SCRIPTURE! Have it locked and loaded. Don’t wait until you’re in the midst of Satan’s attacks to realize you can’t recall a verse to get you through your weakest moments. Unfortunately, Google is not always an option.
5 – Pray. Pray that God reminds you to see clearly when Satan is working. Pray that He will strengthen you so you can stand strong and keeping serving Jesus. Pray that you can see people how Jesus sees them.
You are not alone, friend. We live in a fallen world with fallen people and unfortunately the latter describes us as well. Satan and his demons are on the prowl. We must don our spiritual armor and be ready to fight!
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” I Peter 5:8
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”Ephesians 6:10-13
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