Over mugs of steaming tea, I asked my friend, “Can I ask you about the question you raised in Bible study a while back?”
Her dark eyes widened. “What question? I don’t remember a question.”
I’d worried I hadn’t answered my friend’s question correctly or that I had led her into confusion. Her response let me know I’d been duped by our spiritual enemy’s lies and accusations—again.
The Bible describes our great enemy, the devil, as a roaring lion that prowls around looking for someone to devour. It also describes him as “the accuser of our brothers and sisters” (Rev. 12:10). Are you familiar with his accusations?
He also sows seeds of fear and doubt. After a medical appointment, I mentioned to my husband what the nurse had said in passing that had left me feeling discouraged.
“That sounds like a poisonous dart,” he said. “Reading through the Gospel of Mark I’ve noticed that the first thing Jesus does when He meets someone tormented by demons is to tell the demons, ‘Be quiet.’”
The enemy had used this woman’s medical position to give her words power they didn’t deserve.
Stay Alert!
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8 NLT).
It’s copperhead season where I live. When outside, I look where I’m stepping and where my dogs walk. Like copperheads, Satan is invisible to the unconcerned. Knowing he is there should make us alert, not afraid.
Notice how Peter describes our enemy:
- He prowls: my computer dictionary defines this as, “move around restlessly and stealthily, especially in search of … prey.” He slips in when we are weary or our defenses are down, like when we are in so-called safe places—like Bible study or a doctor’s appointment.
- Roaring: I read that a lion’s intimidating roar can be heard up to 5 miles away. Their roars scare off hyenas or send fear through those they hunt. Lions that have lost their teeth and are too weak to hunt, roar to scare off would-be attackers.
- Looking for someone to devour: The devil looks for opportunities to pounce. His goal is to destroy—our faith, joy, peace, fruitfulness, and relationships.
Be Discerning
While Satan is the accuser, Jesus is our advocate. Satan hurls vague accusations of guilt and shame but offers no constructive steps to change. The Holy Spirit’s correction is specific, clear, and empowering (2 Cor. 7:10). The Holy Spirit points out sin to save you not to shame you.
Other believers can help us see truth. Let a trusting believer know your battle. My husband’s insight exposed the dart and freed me.
Satan hurls vague accusations of guilt and shame but offers no constructive steps to change. The Holy Spirit’s correction is specific, clear, and empowering. #wisdom, #discernment Click To TweetFollow Jesus’s Example
If a fear or accusation continues to taunt you after you’ve confessed it, you are dealing with one of Satan’s fiery arrows. If you feel guilty but have no clear wrong to confess, use your delegated authority and follow Jesus’s example (Ephes. 1:18-23). Tell the accuser, “Be quiet” (Mark 1:25).
Blessings,
Resources
Give Yourself a Break offers practical help in recognizing and defeating your spiritual foe as well as dealing with other areas that rob our spiritual rest. Give Yourself a Break: From Temptation and Spiritual Attacks is the shorter kindle edition.
Sometimes I link with these great sites:
#InspireMeMonday, #InstaEncouraements, #TellHisStory and here , #Let’sHaveCoffee, #Recharge Wednesday, #Grace&Truth,
Amen. Stay alert. Stay close to God. Be ready for spiritual attack. Rest in the promises of God.
Melissa, all of those are really good. God bless.
Debbie, these are our best defense against the Accuser. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Sandy!
What a wise needed message. Thank you.
Thanks, Jane. I needed the reminder.
Thank you Debbie. He always seems to be talking. This is a timely word.
Ann, I don’t think he ever sleeps!
Thank you Debbie for showing us how easily this happens and how alert we need to be all the time! Your examples always help!!
I’m glad to hear they help. Thanks, Stephanie. Miss seeing you.
Very Timely for me this week!
Sounds like the enemy is always busy, busy! But our Lord is Faithful!
Amen! I’ve often rebuked the enemy but come to think of it, I’ve not just said, “Be quiet!” like Jesus did! I’m going to start doing that!
Jerralea, I hadn’t either. But as soon as Larry said that, I felt peace.
Love, love, love this post Ms. Debbie. Too often, especially in my early Christian life when my faith was weak because I still had one foot in the world (some of us are slow learners), Satan would easily disrupt my walk and distract me from seeking to grow more. He loved to use my past and his specialty, FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt), to distract me and move my mind and soul from God to worldly things. As I slowly grew in my faith and learned to better depend on the Holy Spirit to guide my life, it became easier for me to identify those “fiery darts” and defend against them. What I discovered in those formative years of learning to engage in spiritual warfare was that we need to constantly check to ensure we are equipped with the full Armor of God before we enter into the battle each day. What a wonderful example and reminder of how important the gifts of discernment and faith us in our journey in faith. God’s blessings ma’am.
I want to remember your FUD acronym, J.D. He certainly uses all of those on me.
Great post. I love that at the name of Jesus the enemy must flee. A friend of mine prays to have Jesus filters over our ears. So that only what Jesus says can get through.
I love that imagery. I want those filters too, Jen.
Follow the example of Jesus–your final paragraph sums it up. Scripture shows how Jesus handled the hard stuff–prayer, scripture, stayed alert, practiced patience, called on His Father, loved others…He demonstrated how we should live. Enjoyed your wonderful message, Debbie.
Katherine, I really like your summary of Jesus’s way. Thank you!
We need to be reminded of this every now and again. The enemy is so slick and weasels his way in so unaware. May our ears be attentive to hear his roar especially since he starts from a distance. May our hearts be discerning so they are prepared before he arrives so that we can send him packing in Jesus Name.
Amen, Joanne!
He does prowl around us and is so deceptive in his tactics. Thanks for reminding me to stay alert always. Great reminder Debbie.
Yes he does! Thanks, Yvonne.
Debbie,
I’ve realized the enemy will even use scripture against me — twisting it and trying to rope me into feeling guilt or shame. I agree we also need to discern whether we are being accused (the enemy) or convicted (Holy Spirit). There is therefore now no condemnation in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Great post!
Blessings,
Bev xx
He’s used that on me too, Bev. So low! Thanks for sharing.
And sometimes I simply tell the enemy where to go. And he has to flee. In Jesus name.
Yes! Amen, Linda.
Hi Debbie,
I love this! So much valuable truth. And this sentence, “The Holy Spirit points out sin to save you not to shame you.” What a difference between our Lord and the Liar.
Blessings,
Tammy
Love that contrast, Tammy. “difference between our Lord and the Liar.”
You’ve given some great advice to deter the enemy of our souls. Thanks, Debbie!
Thank you, Annie!
Debbie, the devil sure does sneak around and whisper words of doubt and shame in our ears. I’m learning to recognize it and smash it. He just wants to impede my ministry.
Good for you, Cathy. It’s a lifelong assignment to be on our guard.