Defeating the Enemy of Our Hearts and Soul
Part 1 of 3
Does it feel like the enemy is relentless in your life? It seems like he’s either aggravating and pestering, causing the “little foxes” of discontent to rise up and scratch, or he’s in full on attack mode and plaguing your finances, health, or family.
Or maybe you’ve noticed that after you’ve had a powerful God experience or breakthrough, it’s like a slimy hand wraps around your ankle and tries to pull you back into the pit of old habits and mindsets.
I recently when to a women’s event where the presence of the Holy Spirit was powerful and undeniable. I spent the time with one of my closest friends and we had hours of great conversation, our souls were ministered to and refreshed, and we experienced breakthrough.
When I came home, I was high on the mountaintop, and then guess what happened? I had a trifling, ongoing stressful situation in my life pop back up the very next day. My kids relayed something and a spirit of anxiety and dread slammed into my body. Instantly my stomach dropped, and I felt physically and mentally shaky.
It’s one of those situations where nothing “that bad” is actually happening but I’m tormented by the hypothetical conversations and confrontations that could potentially take place, all the “what if’s” relentlessly stampede through my mind.
And the crafty enemy knows the number one trigger to flip my lid: something that affects my kids.
I tried my best to push these thoughts away and keep myself busy and distracted, but you have to go to bed at some point. And guess what happened when I laid my head on the pillow that night and all was quiet?
The thoughts came racing: What if this and what if that… you better say this and be careful you don’t say that… you look like horrible person and you aren’t even acting like a real Christian… and then my heart is saying I can’t ignore my discernment…
And then a small voice spoke up and reminded me of Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Breathe in, breathe out, and fix your mind on Jesus.
Fighting for Daily Victory
Over time, I’ve become more and more determined to carry the peace and power of God into every part of my life and day. Although corporate worship gatherings are vital, I can’t depend on them for my peace or freedom, I have to take personal authority to live in daily victory.
There were two parts to winning that battle. I spoke the Word of God and fixed my mind on His truth, and I also rebuked the devil. Yep, lying on my bed I pretty much yelled out loud, “Satan, get out of my mind and out of my house in the name of Jesus”. Because I was fed up with it, and I know better then to put up with it.
Jesus cast out demons with a word. When he sent ou the 72, they returned overjoyed that, “even the demons submit to us in your name” and Jesus reassured them “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you” (Matthew 10:17, 19). He goes on to say we shouldn’t rejoice about this, but that our names are written in heaven, because that is our ultimate goal and relief.
Isn’t it good to know this is only a temporary battle, but we are SURE that we will win the war?
The Word says our enemy is the father of lies and he comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). We know his assignment and tactics so we must be on guard with weapons and armor, ready to stand against him so he will flee - and he must flee when we resist him.
We are not stuck, God has called us to victory! But like the warriors of the Old Testament, you have to stand up against your enemy, drive him out, and take ground. You cannot tolerate the enemy in your life or allow any foothold AT ALL, get him out. Although our all-powerful God will one day bind the enemy and cast him down forever, in the meantime He has given us power and authority through Christ to triumph over every attack.
No weapon formed against you can prosper, so don’t fear but fight the good fight of faith (Isaiah 54:17). We cannot tolerate the enemy! We must actively identify what he is trying to do and disrupt his assignment.
Here is how we begin to take action in this arena:
Recognize that we have an enemy, there is a battle, and we have to take every thought captive unto Christ. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage battle according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
Resist and stand strong, and be assured that the devil must go. “Submit therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
Know the voice of the shepherd, do not be distracted by other voices, but follow the leading of the Lord. “My sheep listen to My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:27)
Part 1 of 3
Read Part 2: Protecting Baby Seeds and Part 3: Daily Victory in the Little Things