Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” – 1 PETER 5:8
A few weeks ago, I volunteered to lead a breakout session at my church’s women’s ministry event. Many of us on the team are now busy praying and seeking His guidance as we develop our lessons. As the Holy Spirit guides us as to what to write and how to present it, I know the enemy is already trying to prevent the words the Spirit gives us from touching the hearts and lives of the women who will be at our event. My session is called, “Speak Life Through Your Walk.” I may as well paint a big target on my back, because I am sure he doesn’t want me to succeed. Having lived a few decades now, I know his goal is to cause me to doubt myself and to allow myself to be less confident in the power of the Holy Spirit within me. His goal is to deceive, kill, destroy, twist, confuse, and present doubt in anything that will have Kingdom benefits. Because I know this—know the way he works—I can be prepared to go to battle in a war that has already been won! What can I do to prepare for the attack of this “roaring lion”?
- I can pray. Chapter 6 of the book of Ephesians gives us a battle plan. After listing the components of the armor of God, Paul reminds us to “pray in the Spirit” (Eph. 6:18). When we pray, we call on the God of the Universe, the God who created it all, the God of our patriarchs to hear us and to protect and strengthen us. Praying helps us focus our thoughts and align them with His thoughts. Praising God for His sovereignty in our lives and for giving us the Holy Spirit to guide us will put us in a position to reject the schemes of the devil.
- I can plan. The armor of God (Eph. 6:10-17) is a strategic method of utilizing the Word of God to thwart the enemy in any and every circumstance. I have often reminded friends, readers, and my own sons that, as a child of God, the only power the enemy has over you is what you allow him to have. He is neither omnipotent nor omnipresent. He possesses none of the qualities and characteristics of God, and he is not God’s equal adversary; he is merely a trickster and that, my sister, is all he is. Armor up, because he can’t win against the power of the living God.
- I can proceed. In TobyMac’s song, “Keep Walking,” he encourages us to “LIFT YOUR HEAD. MOVE. KEEP WALKING.” I do not need to be in a hidden, defensive position. My God, through the resurrection of Jesus, has defeated Satan and the power of hell! If anyone needs to be afraid, it’s the devil! Oh no, sister, we have to get up and get out there and live for Jesus! How is anyone going to come to a knowledge of the risen Savior when you’re at home hiding from the devil?
You may not be getting ready to write a breakout session that you know is going to aggravate the enemy, but I guarantee he doesn’t want you to be a godly wife to your husband. The devil does not want you to be Christlike at school or work, and he sure doesn’t want you to be a godly example to your children. Make no mistake—you are in a battle every single day. So follow Peter’s instruction and be watchful. And follow Paul’s words and put on that armor of God. You have a battle plan, and I can’t wait to see how you use it!