In life, we're often faced with learning and doing things we haven't done before. Whether it be school, work, relationships, marriage, children, or life in general, we are faced with and forced to learn new things. When we learn something new and do something we haven't done before, we do it without instincts. It takes time and the repetition of doing before instincts, experience, and wisdom come. It's a great feeling to eventually gain confidence in knowing what you are doing and having the instincts to do it well.
There's an instinct that every Christian should develop. What instinct is that? The ability to discern a demonic assault that has attacked your life so that you can instinctively fight back! 1 Peter 5:8 (NLT) says, “Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour.” Peter is warning us not to become the devil’s lunch. He says, “Watch out for attacks from the devil…” If you don’t, then Hosea 4:6 (NLT), which says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge because they don't know me…” may come to describe you.
The enemy will not only attack your life, but he’ll deceive you by getting you to play the blame game instead of resisting him.
I've made an observation over my 43 years of ministry that really seems to hold true. I have noticed that when Christians experience extended hardship of any kind, they often forget that it's an attack of the enemy, resulting in them not fighting back. When an attack continues for an extended period of time and they don’t resist the attacks of the enemy, discouragement begins to take hold, and the blame game begins. The thoughts come: God, what is happening? I have done all I know to do. Why is this happening? Why don’t You do something? The blame begins with God. Those questions are aimed at Him. Too often, we hear someone say, God's never done a thing for me! I prayed, and nothing happened. The blame then moves to those that represent God in their life—their pastor, their church, and then other Christians start to become the object of their blame and disappointment. As I said, this is a strategy of the devil to deceive Christians into abandoning their faith in God and the very people God used to help them become established in their walk with Him. It’s not long before they suddenly stop their involvement and then coming to church.
Maybe they visit other churches because they've made their pastor and church the problem through their blame. That doesn't help, so they eventually just quit going anywhere. Then they either stop fellowshipping with other Christians or begin to hang out with disgruntled ones, continuously rehearsing their offenses. Their Bible reading and praying often decline. A critical side to them becomes amplified. A return to some past carnal behaviors surfaces, and when this happens, the devil is succeeding in his goal to knock them off course.
The Apostle Paul teaches us that we fight against Satan and his demonic forces—not people! Ephesians 6:10-13 (NLT) says, “A final word: Be strong with the Lord's mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.” He then says, “Therefore, take unto you the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
God instructs us not to go backward or backslide when hardship comes against us. Hebrews 10:38-39 (NIV) says, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.”
God instructs us to press into His word and prayer as their anchor, and then to fight back. We must learn to resist the devil and his demonic attacks against us and rebuke them in Jesus' name! And the rise up in faith in the fact that He loves you and promises to help you! Quit looking for someone to blame other than Satan, the enemy of your soul. Love God. Love your pastor. Love your friends. Run to them all—not from them. In your prayer time and throughout your day, get in the enemy’s face and proclaim God’s victory in your life. Take authority over, resist, and bind the demonic forces coming against your life.
I want you to know today that I am standing with you in prayer for God’s best in every area of your life. Win the fight in the spirit. Don’t play the blame game. Don’t get double-minded. Have faith. Be honest with God about feelings of discouragement, but then learn to instinctively resist the enemy and the discouragement that tries to get you to give up on God, your Pastor, and your friends in Christ! Rebuke Satan like Jesus did! Say, Get behind thee, Satan! Can you say that? Begin to proclaim God's promises over your life.
Thank God out loud for them.
And the remind Satan of his future and yours!
Satan, you are a loser whose fate is settled. You will spend eternity in Hell. As for me, I will spend eternity with Lord Jesus Christ in a place so beautiful and He said, 'Eye hasn't seen nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him!" That's my future devil! I rebuke you and command you to flee from me in Jesus name!
Do this and move forward! Find others to pray in faith with you! If you do, you’ll be able to see God instructing and leading you step by step in how to walk out your victory in Him. In time, the waters will calm as you walk in your God-given authority in this earth as a believer! Don’t shrink back. Draw closer to God as we are instructed to in James 4:8 (NKJV): “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” God has not forsaken you. Don’t you forsake Him!In closing, lift your head and proclaim in faith: “The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” (Psalm 9:9-10 NIV)
In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt
