I’ve been more and more aware of spiritual warfare lately. The evil of sin seems so prevalent within and around me. The juxtaposition between light and dark, good and evil, truth and lies surrounds me. Maybe this realization comes with age. A sign of maturity more deeply aware of my wounds. Hopes unrealized. Joys diminished. Prayers not answered as I’d like. Struggles parenting three high-school students with preemptive grief over their (hopeful) launch in the coming years.
Yet, faith abounds. Deep faith that clings to promises of God in Christ Jesus. Deep faith that grounds me in the promises of my baptism. Deep faith that lifts up my heart and eyes to the imminent return of Christ. I yearn for it now more than ever.
Until that Day comes, I’m more aware of the target on my back with Satan—that liar, slinging arrows seeking to damage, diminish, and destroy the work of Christ in me. I see you, Satan. Better yet, so does my defender, Jesus. Back off. I am His, and He is mine.
Here are four ways in which I’ve experienced Satan attacking me. Maybe you’ll relate. These most-used strategies of Satan come from the book by Dave Early and David Wheeler titled Evangelism Is…How to Share Jesus with Passion and Confidence.
1. Condemnation (I Peter 5:8; Zech. 3.1; Rev. 12:10; Job 1:9-11)
Condemnation preys on the shame of our sin. Condemnation keeps us from dreaming big dreams. Condemnation feeds imposter syndrome. It sounds like this: “Who do you think you are? You’re going to fail, just like you have in the past. It’s inevitable. Why even try? Keep the dreams and expectations for what God wants to do small. Small dreams will keep you safe.”
Refute the lie of condemnation. There is no condemnation for you. Christ on the cross has swallowed whole the condemnation of the Condemner.
2. Deception (John 8:44)
In John 8:44, Jesus condemns the teachers of the Law who listen to their father, the liar. It did not earn Him a lot of favor with the religious leaders. Yet, Jesus spoke the truth. He is Truth.
Where are you believing lies? How are those lies hampering your joy in your identity in Christ? How are those lies leading you to dream small? How are those lies leading you away from the promises of Christ?
Jesus does not lie. Cling to His Word. Saturate your heart and mind with the promises of God. Then…speak the truth. Tell the truth about what God is doing within you and around you in your ministry. Don’t be afraid to be truthful about your struggles, personal or professional. Share them with a father or mother confessor. Receive private and public absolution on account of Christ.
The liar wants you to stay grounded in lies. Bask in the truth of God’s Word and love for you!
3. Temptation (I Thess. 3:5; Matthew 4:1-11; Genesis 3:1-6)
This is the strategy of Satan most of us are likely aware of. He loves to prey on our flesh, our passions. Keep them in the dark. Do not expose your struggles. People will look at you differently.
Lies. All lies. We know the way Satan tempts. It’s not hard to see in the world. He has a PSM plan.
Power
Sex
Money
You may add other temptations of the flesh, including alcohol and drugs…but that just about covers it.
You must have a plan of accountability to build a fortress of protection for you as a ministry leader. For me, it looks like a weekly check-in call with my accountability partner to check my pride, filters on my phone, and deep separation between me and the money in my congregation.
If you are one of the dreamers and builders in the LCMS, I can guarantee you that Satan’s temptations will be strong. Resist the Devil, and He will and must flee from you in the name of Jesus Christ!
4. Distraction (Mark 8:31-33)
Mark 8 recounts Jesus telling the disciples that suffering, the cross, and the empty tomb await Him. Peter is distracted and takes Jesus aside, condemning Jesus’ prediction. Jesus rebukes Peter saying he is speaking for Satan. He is thinking in man’s ways, not God’s.
Peter was distracted.
Distraction can tempt us toward laziness. There may be a tendency toward this in some of our LCMS leaders. Distraction could also lead us to use human strength for what only God can do. I have been guilty of this. Thank you, Jesus, for your forgiveness.
How is Satan attacking you? Which of these four strategies is his primary strategy against you? Confess it. Receive forgiveness. Lead boldly for it is not you who work, it is Christ at work within you.
Your battle is real. Let Satan daily know the battle is won…by Christ. You are defended by the shield of faith. Do battle with the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.
Enjoy this quote from Martin Luther cited by Dr. Bob Kolb in his new book, Face to Face: Martin Luther’s View of Reality.
For the Word reveals the Lord Christ, whom he (Satan) crucified, but he collided with Christ and got burned, for Christ trampled on his head. Therefore, he is afraid and flees from his presence. That did him tremendous harm, takes many souls back from him, and weakens and destroys his kingdom.
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