If you’ve ever felt like you were under attack by an evil force bigger than yourself, that is likely the enemy doing everything in his power to bring down. The enemy is a deceiver and will use any tactic he can to get you to renounce Christ. He shudders every time you turn God. The enemy wants to steal our faith by tempting us, discouraging us, making us doubt God’s goodness, distracting us and dividing us. He uses various strategies to attack our faith and our assurance in God. However, God always helps us survive these attacks with our faith strengthened rather than destroyed. The Bible tells us, “Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11). When we wear weakened armour, it’s easy for the enemy to work his way in and sabotage us. However, if we’re intentional about it and trust in God’s power, we can defeat the devil. Here are seven ways to conquer the enemy.
Knowing What You Believe
One of the biggest ways you can conquer the enemy is by addressing any unbelief. Doubt can arise for all sorts of reasons and show up in many forms. Sometimes, they’re largely intellectual. We might doubt that the Bible is really inspired by God or that Jesus was really born of a virgin. But doubts can take other forms as well. If a person has experienced great sorrow or disappointment, they may seriously be tempted to doubt the goodness, love and care of God. Is there unbelief in your life? When Christians begin to have doubts about something as a significant as the truth of their faith, it’s quite understandable that this might worry or even frighten them. Whenever unbelief shows us we must deal honestly with our doubts. It’s imperative that you address your unbelief. To ignore them is to court spiritual disaster.
Keep Your Eyes Set on God
Satan doesn’t surrender without a fight. He comes seeking to discourage you and to defeat you. He may even use your friends, an area of persecution or discouraging responses made by your family. He may also try to throw a missile of temptation at your heart. If you’re in a difficult situation right now that includes suffering pain, worry, or illness, the devil is behind it to some degree. In these situations, it’s important to acknowledge that the devil is working against you, but also be knowledgeable enough in the Word of God to discern when he is behind the attack. Fix your eyes on God, for we will steer where we stare.
Pray Without Ceasing
The Bible tells us, “Your adversary the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). The adversary wants to attack your desires, your thoughts, even how you see and treat your own body. It’s important that you guard against Satan’s schemes through prayer. First, ask God to guard your heart so that it beats for Him alone. Next, pray that God would cover your mind with the helmet of salvation, reminding you that you are a child of God who is loved. As you pray that God will develop the fruits of His Holy Spirit in every area of your life, you will be invincible through prayer to the one who seeks to tear you down.
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