OUR WORLD IS becoming increasingly dark and evil. Satan is in an uproar because he knows the end is near. He is especially throwing everything he can at God’s people to discourage us and get us off track and away from the Word.
Some Christians see what’s going on and say, “It’s just a sign of the times.” And it is! Others have simply resigned themselves to accepting it. Still others pray, “God, help me hold out until
the end!”
But throughout history, the devil has tried to wreak havoc on God’s people. Therefore, the strategy of passively getting through life hoping the devil won’t bother us is futile.
Once years ago after a meeting, a man came up to my dad and said, “Brother Hagin, would you pray for me that the devil won’t bother me anymore?”
My dad looked at him and said, “Do you want me to pray for you to die?”
The Bible says, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10 NLT). As long as we are in this life, the enemy will come after us. It’s not a matter of if; it’s a matter of when. He is always looking for someone to devour. The Apostle Peter told us so.
1 PETER 5:8–9 (NLT)
8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.
If you’ve ever watched a TV show about the animal kingdom, you see that lions in particular don’t attack a herd of buffalo or antelope. They wait for a straggler or one that is hurt and isolated.
That’s how Satan operates. He goes around looking for people who have stopped going to church, reading the Word, and spending time with God. Those people are easy prey for him.
So what do we do when Satan attacks? Here are several steps we can take.
We are never to face our enemies with our mouths shut.
Stay Calm
First, we must stay calm. During my time in the United States Army, one thing they drilled into us was, “Stay calm. Don’t panic!” The reason is, if you panic, you can’t think straight, and it messes up your strategy. Ultimately, it can get you and those you’re serving with killed.
Throughout the Bible, the Lord repeatedly told His people, “Don’t be afraid.” When the Israelites’ situation looked hopeless against Pharaoh’s army, the Lord told them to stay calm because He would rescue them. (See Exod. 14:13.) Although it seemed as if their escape from Egypt would be in vain, they had a great victory.
Many times it seems like the enemy attacks us the hardest after great victories. But whatever he throws at us, we must remain calm.
Next, we must assess our situation. When I walk into a building, the first thing I do is assess my surroundings. That, too, was part of my army training. I’m always thinking, “How can I get out of this place in an emergency?”
It’s the same with spiritual things. The more spiritually trained we are to be alert and aware of our enemy—the devil—the better we can combat him and see victory in our lives.
A Strategy For Victory
Satan can’t take advantage of a child of God who knows the Word. The Apostle Paul encouraged the Corinthian church to do certain things “so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes” (2 Cor. 2:11 NLT).
We need to also develop a plan of action. In the army, we trained to go into battle with a strategy. For Christians it should be no different. We can develop a strategy for whatever we need. For instance, if someone needs healing or finances, they should first find out what the Word says about it. Then they can supplement the Word with resources such as books and teachings that will help them form a strategy to defeat the sickness or lack.
When forming a strategy to overcome the enemy’s attacks, here are four things to remember.
1) Know that Jesus defeated Satan on the cross.
Several years ago someone came up to me and said, “Brother Hagin, I’m just having such a fight with the devil.” “Why are you fighting the devil?” I said. “Jesus already defeated him.” Our victory has already been won. Let’s act like it, talk like it, and live like it.
2) Remember the testimonies of God’s people. Read the Old and New Testament stories of how God delivered His people. And listen to the testimonies of brothers and sisters in Christ. One of Satan’s major tricks against God’s people is to make us think we are the only ones who have ever faced a situation as bad as what we’re in. Hearing how God delivered others from similar troubles lets us know we’re not alone and He will deliver us too.
3) Know what God said in His Word. Christians have been given authority. (See Luke 10:19.) We can use that authority to stop the enemy by speaking God’s Word. We are never to face our enemy with our mouths shut. It’s time to quit messing around with the devil. Let’s knock the fire out of him with God’s Word coming out of our mouths.
4) Trust God alone. Our reasonings and opinions don’t matter—only what is written in scripture. Our attitude must be, “God said it. I believe it. And that settles it.” No matter what, we must resist the temptation to fear and only believe God’s Word. In the midst of trouble, David said, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold” (Psalm 18:2 NKJV).
A fortress is something that can’t be successfully attacked. It’s impenetrable—impossible to get through. The devil may try to destroy you. But if you make the Lord your fortress, his attempts won’t succeed.
The Word must be your anchor. When Satan comes against you with everything he has and it looks as if there is no way out in the natural, anchor yourself in God’s Word.
Dr. Lilian B. Yeomans used to say, “God delights in His children stepping out over the aching void with nothing underneath their feet but the Word of God.” So the next time the enemy comes after you, step out on the Word, stay calm, trust God, and watch Him rescue you.
Author
Kenneth W. Hagin
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2 Comments on “Overcoming Satan’s Attacks”
Thank you, that was a great encouragement!
This message has removed fear from my heart and reminded me who I am in Christ Jesus. I am a Victor.