KNOW YOURSELF AND YOUR ENEMY
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Ephesians 6:16 (NIV)
I took a year off from ministry. I was unhealthy and finding way too much of my identity in my work. We will always have struggles, but I knew I had some spiritual surgery that I needed to do in my heart and soul. While I took off that year, I came across a sermon in which the preacher shared that every person who falls in ministry, life or the Bible can be traced to three reasons:
- The untamed desires of a sensual person.
- The need for power for a weak person.
- The unteachable spirit of a prideful person.
This was like a wrecking ball for me to process. I saw myself in a little bit of all of those, but personally, the first one was the one God was causing me to be aware of. This is important because the enemy knows which one you struggle with, and he will send his flaming arrows at you in that area. The Bible is clear: our battle isn’t against flesh and blood, which means there is an enemy who surveys your life and knows exactly how to tempt and distract you. Have you ever wondered why temptation seems to hit you in exactly the right spot? It’s because the enemy knows your weakness. Safeguard against those things and live with a wisdom. The shield of faith will defend you, but it only works if pointed in the right direction. So, knowing from which direction the enemy will be firing his darts at you is essential to your victory. God is mightier than the enemy's attacks, but we can’t operate in ignorance. We must know ourselves, God and the plans of the enemy to find victory. To be naïve is fatal when there is a roaring lion that wants to devour you spiritually. So be on guard. Don’t be afraid. God is bigger than the enemy, but we must be aware.
APPLICATION: Know where the enemy is going to attack you.
PRAYER: Ask God to make you aware of where you struggle. Pray into the three reasons people fall and ask the Spirit to make it clear if you are guarded or vulnerable to the enemy. Ask God to strengthen you so you don’t give the devil a foothold.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?