When satan pulls an intervention

Three years into church planting and I can clearly see patterns in the way satan attacks a young church (yes, I believe in a literal devil and demonic forces).  I have known these patterns to be true throughout my Christian walk, but lately they just seem so much more obvious.

Recently, we called a 3-day fast at the church.  Lives started changing, there was a stirring in people’s spirits, and new believer’s were excited!  We concluded on a Friday night after prayer meeting with great expectation and passion for Jesus. That was close to a month ago.

Since then some good people have given into compromise, others have lost their passion, and one has even stopped attending service all together.  Don’t get me wrong. The church isn’t in despair or anything, but because we are a church with vision the enemy attacks not so subtly.

So, what exactly happened? Well, there is an old saying that goes like this, “New levels, new devils!” and more often than not it rings true. People sometimes fail to realize, or simply refuse to recognize, that they are in the midst of a spiritual war—a battle for their very soul.

Ephesians 6:10–12, “A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Look at it this way. When a person is not really living for God, or maybe as a Christian Atheist, the devil really has no reason to wage war against that person. They are simply not a threat. (Though the devil still might choose to mess with an unsuspecting hypocrite if pushed –> Acts 19:13–16.

But when a person begins to align their life with the teachings of Jesus, when they begin to go to prayers meetings and fast, when they put away selfish desires and allow themselves to be filled and led by the Holy Spirit—watch out because the devil will sneak in and try to pull a spiritual intervention (lights dim and the curtain opens)…

As Committed Christian arrives home after a late night prayer and worship  at the church, he opens the door, and there sit his old friends satan and his crew.  A somber chill fills the air.

“Christian we need to talk. Sit down, would ya?”

“What’s this all about?”

“Me and the boys, well frankly, were concerned. We haven’t seen much of you lately.  You’re always at the church or praying in your room with the door closed.  We’ve even noticed you have been skipping some meals lately. You’re hanging out with the wrong crowd. We just feel, you know… it’s time for an intervention.”

“Seriously, satan?!?”

“Yeah. No more church for you buddy.  From now on we are just gonna have to give you some excuse that you can’t go. And prayer… fugettaboutit.  You need your sleep.  You work hard. Don’t worry, we are gonna make everything easy for you to come down off your spiritual high and face reality. We will take it slow, but don’t worry—we will be with you every step of the way, just hanging around to make sure you don’t ever fall down that slippery slope of, ugh, Christianity again.”

To the discerning Christian, the strategies and interventions of satan are obvious in this type of scenario.  When the devil shows up right after we decide to live all out for God, commit to a volunteer ministry or perhaps a 3-day fast, we should see right through it.

Matter of fact, the next time the devil pokes up his ugly mug after you invite Jesus deeper into your marriage, family, relationship, or life just tell him to “go to hell” where he belongs.  Don’t worry, it is Christ-like to tell the devil that—Rev 20:10.

Ephesians 6:13-18 (NLT), “Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”

If you find yourself getting closer to God remember to stand strong and stay on guard.  The devil might just be waiting in your car, home, or office for the right moment to pull…  an intervention.