WHAT ACTIVATES YOUR ADVERSARY

The apostle Paul speaks to the Corinthians about an opportunity in Ephesus.   “For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” (I Corinthians 16:9)  He is confirming that one thing that gets our adversary’s attention is to get involved in activity that expands God’s kingdom.  Every place that God brings you to will generate a demand to occupy that the enemy doesn’t want you or God to have.  In fact, when the enemy discovers where God is sending you, he will immediately reinforce it to try and keep you from it.

Notice in the Old Testament that the land of Canaan was promised to the Israelites by God.  It is also the only place on Earth to be occupied by giants.  Before Israel could receive their inheritance, they had to displace their adversaries.  The tactics of Satan are plainly seen throughout the Bible.  Let’s look at three kingdom-expanding activities that get our enemy's attention.

1)     WHEN YOUR ASSIGNMENT IS GIVEN, YOU WILL IMMEDIATELY FACE AN ENEMY

II Corinthians 10:4 tells us, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.”  Evil spirits like to have a body to live in or work through as they operate on earth.  This means that usually it is not people who are our enemy.  It is the spiritual powers of darkness that influence or control them.   This is why God is always looking for someone to spiritually stand in the gap in prayer.

Also, don’t be paranoid, but do be aware that many times the devil will use people near you in your circle of family and friends to help do his will.  It was Judas that Satan used as a catalyst for the betrayal and subsequent crucifixion of Jesus.  There’s also the example of the enemy speaking to Jesus through Peter in Matthew 16:15, 22-23- He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”  Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”    Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You Lord; this shall not happen to You!”  But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan!  You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

The devil will try to use people who are close to you who are not listening to God but are listening to their carnal minds. 

2)     AN ADVERSARY ANNOUNCES YOUR DESTINY AND DECLARES GOD’S ANOINTING ON YOUR LIFE

Opposition is a declaration that one thing is ending, and a new thing is beginning.  Notice that David encounters the giant, Goliath, as his days as a shepherd are about to end and his training for kingship begins.  Satan prefers to fight a baby as opposed to a grown man.  This is why he will fiercely fight you at the beginning of the promotion.  You will see this with Moses as a baby being attacked by Pharaoh, David being attacked by Goliath, and Jesus being attacked by Herod.  If God has called you to be a giant killer, then do not become alarmed when giants show up in the infancy stage of your new business, marriage, family, or career.  If God has called you to be a giver, then don’t be discouraged if the enemy attacks your finances.  If He has called you to a healing ministry, then don’t be surprised if you face a battle over the health of yourself or one near you. 

3)     WHEREVER THERE’S A TREASURE, IT BECOMES THE FOCUS OF THIEVES

Years ago, Cheryl and I had the privilege of taking an Alaskan cruise.  In Skagway, we took an excursion that included a train ride into the Klondike, where an enormous gold rush began over 100 years ago.  I was so fascinated by the sights and stories that I bought a historical book on the Klondike gold rush from a souvenir gift shop in the area.  As I read, it became apparent that along with the mobs of people who came here to find gold, there were also mobs of thieves who came to kill and steal the prospector’s gold. 

Satan is after your potential, your calling, your purpose, and your influence.  Knowing this should help you not to take an attack personally from others.  This is why we are commanded to walk in forgiveness.  Have you noticed how many of the high-action, intense thriller movies are about a small treasure that an enemy wants to get hold of because it has worldwide influence?  God has placed a treasure in each one of us , which includes our calling and destiny.  (II Corinthians 4:7) Satan wants to steal our treasure, our destiny.  He is a master safe cracker, and his tools of thievery include anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness sown into our minds and hearts.

When we daily put on the full armor of God, mentioned in Ephesians 6, it is a mighty force to thwart the attacks of the adversary against us.  Interestingly, the weapons of our warfare mentioned in this chapter leave our backs exposed.  There’s no protection for our backs.  Could this be why “backsliding” is so dangerous?  It involves turning our backs on God and righteousness and then sliding down a slippery slope, back-first.   We need to face our enemy with the full armor of God while not being ignorant of the enemy’s devices.  This is a key to us having consistent victories as we fight this good fight of faith.