You cannot be defeated by the devil
Because Jesus has already defeated him on the cross of Calvary. We fight from victory not for victory.
In almost all the incidents in the Bible, when men of God or the church rise up in the power of the Holy Spirit, the devil is also aroused to oppose or disrupt the plans of God. But in-spite of his nervous agitations, the devil and his allies always end in failure and the chosen of God parade in triumphant victory. Strangely the devil who tried to confuse the plans of God ends up helping to fulfill them. What an irony.
In the Book of Acts, after the Holy Spirit came upon the church, they moved with such an anointing that even the gates of hell was threatened. The devil and his forces immediately regrouped and tried to frustrate the works of the Holy Spirit. He made the religious leaders to rise against the apostles and even brought in persecution. Some of them were martyred. The devil thought it will end the work of the Holy Spirit. But he was mistaken. Instead, the church grew and the number of disciples which were in daily addition now became a daily multiplication. And who was instrumental... the devil of course.
We can learn a few lessons from the Bible and also from my own life:
1. Resistance to a genuine work of the Holy Spirit is normal. When Nehemiah wanted to built the walls, Sanballat and Tobiah the Ammonite, tried to destroy the work. In Acts 4, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John and threatened them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Its when everything goes on smoothly that you need to reassess your venture. The devil will get rattled with anything that unsettles the membership of hell. So take courage and press on.
2. Usually the opposition comes from your own leaders and friends. Yes many times the devil will have his own angels to trouble the work of God, just like int he case of Nehemiah but many times the resistance comes from within. In the Book of Acts, it was from the very priests themselves. Even in Neh 13, we read how the priest became an hindrance. It's usually easier to handle opposition when it comes from without but its very painful when it comes from within. Sometimes their arguments many seem very scriptural.That's why discernment is very much needed in churches today. sal thought that he was doing a service to God by putting the Christians in prisons. One of my friends from Malaysia recounted how God wanted him to move his church to another level. There was so much opposition, but the most difficult ones came from his own family. But becasue he was sure it was from the Lord he pressed on and God gave he increase.
3. The opposition sometimes inflicts a heavy loss. In the early church, when the revival was spreading, James the apostle was martyred. Many others lost their lives and privileges. The temptation to give up and walk away would seen the most vial option. Here is the breaking point. The weak will walk away but the called, will press on.
4. Lack of resources can become a major stumbling bloc. One of the many reasons many ministries don't get beyond registration stage is because of lack of resources. We cried, we prayed and still the money does not come in. We then conclude God is not in it. Remember Moses, when he was giving all the excuses to get out of God's call, the Lord asked him one question. “What is that in your hand?” (Ex4:2). At that point in time Moses cold not see how the shepherd's staff can become the "rod of God". And the Lord asks us the same question. Are we willing to surrender all that we have so that His will can be accomplished.
Way forward
- Pray. Acts 4:27 - When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. Friends, there is no magic formula. Prayer is the key. When Nehemiah faced opposition he prayed. Neh 4:4 - Hear, O our God, for we are despised; turn their reproach on their own heads, and give them as plunder to a land of captivity!. Pray for strength and resources.
- Persevere. Acts 4:29 - Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. The church did not pray that God will remove the opposition but rather to give them boldness to press on. When the pressure is ON we will keep pressing ON in Jesus name.
- See the big Picture. Remain focused on God, His task and His resources and not on the enemy. That's what the apostles did. Don't get discouraged by the distractions and the opposition. "If God is for us, who can be against us".
When
the church of God rises by the power of the Holy Spirit, the enemy also
rises in retaliation. But he fumbles in exasperation and instead of
destroying, he end up shooting his own foot, thus passively cajoles the
church to fulfill its uprising,
Judges 14:20-23 - When they (Israel) got there they found total confusion—Philistines swinging their swords wildly, killing each other. (Message Bible)
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