I have pondered for a long time how to write about the attacks of the enemy. As much as I know how I was able to deal with them in my own life, I cannot know for sure what attacks you are getting. However, one thing the devil wants each of us to feel is that our own personal situation is unique. That no one has ever been through what we are going through; sinned as bad as we have sinned and so on. The counter to that is to realise that you're not that special! Get over yourself!
There are several ways to understand the devil's attacks, but Jesus outlines something important to grasp:
'The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I (Jesus) came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.' John 10:10-11
I have heard testimonies where people have said that God took something that they cared about. I have felt that myself. It is not true and what's worse we are crediting God for the devil's work.
When we look at what the serpent said to Eve in the Garden and what Satan said to Jesus in the wilderness, one big thing that comes out is, "You can do it for yourself." It's interesting that this is the Self-Help message coming out of the world! As Christians, we trust in God, not our abilities.
Another attack is fear based on lies, lies disguised as truth. Here's a list:
If you aren't a Christian, the lie is that you don't need Jesus.
If you are a Christian, there are several lies. You aren't properly saved. You can lose your salvation. You are out of fellowship with God. You've committed the unforgivable sin.
When I first became a Christian, I battled every day with thoughts telling me I wasn't saved and I'd committed the unforgivable sin. This later became a sign in itself that I was saved. Before I accepted Jesus I never had a dread that I wasn't saved. If you are plagued with nagging doubts as to whether you are saved, then that's the Devil, because if you weren't saved he'd be telling you that you don't need to be saved.
Even the person who led me to the Lord accused me of not being properly saved. This is how far reaching the Devil can be.
Other lies include things to make you feel you are not a full Christian as if you are missing out on what others have. Speaking in tongues, performing miracles, giving prophecies and so on. Or maybe you go to a church that has people ranked, where only special people can do certain jobs.
It's not that we shouldn't hold a Bishop, say, in high regard, it is that we shouldn't hold anyone else in lower regard because that would be showing partiality.
There are also lies that tell you you are nice and safe and doing the right thing when you aren't. For example, you may well be stuck in a groove, comfortable, going to church, ticking all the boxes, but not growing in your faith.
There are theological lies, for example, "your heart isn't pure." As a newish Christian, one of my favourite songs was "Purify my heart." But the truth is we are new creations. Ironically, another of my favourite songs was "I am a new creation!"
We can hear that we are not worthy or that others are not worthy.
I hope you can see the common thread here. Everything the Devil does is to destabilise our faith and the Gospel message getting out. It is to water down the amazing truth of the Gospel so that the "GOOD NEWS" becomes the "not-so-good news!" You will always meet people who love to preach bad news. They are joy thieves. If the joy of the Lord is our strength, then these people are out to make us weak. They have believed the enemy's lies and don't know any better.
If you know how secure you are in Christ. How your security is based on Him, not you. How utterly forgiven you are. Then the Devil will have nothing to say to you that can destabilise you. It takes a two-pronged defence. First: the truth shall set you free. Learn the truth of God's love and forgiveness. The second is to apply it. Counter the attacks of the enemy with the truth. Whether that is just resting in the truth or speaking/thinking the truth of what Jesus has done for you. But don't get drawn into arguments.
Consider this next verse. How many times have you heard it preached?
"Do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?" Rom 2:4.
Where else do we find patience and goodness? In the Fruit of the Spirit! God is not beating us over the head with harsh Judgement to produce the Fruit of the Spirit in us! He is using the Fruit of the Spirit to produce the Fruit of the Spirit in us!
Let me rewrite Romans 2:4:
It is not whips and sticks that God uses to make us change.
It is not His wrath or bitterness towards you.
No, not at all.
It is the goodness of God that leads you to change.
His forbearance and patience.
His unwavering and unchanging steadfastness.
His resolve to deal with you gently however long it takes.
To bring change to your thinking and your innermost being.
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