5.31.10 "The Enemy's Strategy"

"The Enemy's Strategy"

2 Samuel 17:1-29
John 19:23-42
Psalm 119:132-155
Proverbs 16:12-13

What is the best way to render a Christian ineffective? Would it be to drop him in the middle of a huge crisis? Would it be to assault with accusation? Probably not... if that were the case, the sirens would sound, the prayer corps would be called to action, the attack would be instantly recognized. A more devious attack might be something a bit more subtle. Maybe get the warrior to cut corners on taking care of himself, and when he's worn out, put words of defeat into his mind.

Throughout scripture the enemy has tried many methods with varied success, but he loves to do to us what is spoken of in 2 Samuel 17. David is with his men and he's running away from his son Absalom. Absalom has an advisor named Ahithophel. Ahithophel develops a plan to attack David. He says in 2 Samuel 17:2, "I will come upon him while he is weary and discouraged..."

We have to realize that is the strategy of our enemy. He is looking for an opportunity to take us down, and the opportunity comes when we are weary and discouraged.

Why does this strategy work?

1. When we are tired & discouraged, we lose our motivation to mobilize our defenses. In the middle of fatigue, we are so apt to relax in our Discipline. There's something within us that says, "I owe it to myself..." then we slack off. We become more of a target.

2. Weariness & Discouragement tend to make us turn on ourself. When we are tired and discouraged, we are already feeling a sense of failure. We can feel that we've blown it, so what's the use. We can almost feel like the enemy's got a good point. We in essence hand the enemy weapons to use against us when we allow discouragement to set in.

3. There's a subtle timing to all of this. The enemy knows it will take subversive means to over throw us. If it were a frontal attack of full force, it would be easier to recognize & call us to battle. Instead, it's a sneaky way of waiting until we invite discouragement, doubt, and fear into the camp, only to be attacked from within.

So what can we do?

1. Stay balanced. Take care of the body. You need to "check your gauges". Be aware of your physical, emotional and spiritual needs, and take care of them. We must be consistently in a mode of "preventative maintenance". We need to do a DREAM Check-up. How am I doing in each area?

2. Recognize discouragement as an attack from the enemy. Sometimes we treat thoughts of discouragement more as a "comfort food" than as poison. Discouragement is a wet blanket to put out the fire of faith. If we get more aggressive and take a "get thee behind me satan" stance on discouragement, we will close the door to a key entry point for the enemy.

3. Zoom out and see the big picture. It's tough sometimes to see what's really going on when we're in the middle of the storm. Instead of letting the "little things" (however big they may be) effect our decision, we must stay the course of obedience. We need to recognize that frustrations are a necessary element in God's refining process and serve to complete his work in our lives.

Are there any warning signs for you today? What can you do to get things in order. Sometimes people think the answer is to pull out of everything. That's not the healthy choice. Taking a spoke out of the 3 spoke wheel (see DEVO 1.5.9) doesn't achieve balance. You must keep moving. Keep Christ at the center. Maintain healthy relationships. Keep in the Word. Be a good steward of all that God has given you. Live with your purpose in mind.


Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


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