Published: April 25, 2008 06:25 pm            

Overcoming Satan’s attacks with the Armor of God

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).



If we aren’t careful, we can easily forget this warning from Peter. The devil is our enemy, and he will do anything he can to keep us from living for God and doing His will.

I have experienced a recent reminder of this fact. I am often asked to perform and speak to various groups through the Butterfly Ministry. I had been invited to appear before the student body of an East Texas school. Considering the rules and regulations regarding the sharing of the Gospel in public schools these days, I was especially excited to accept this invitation. The program was geared mostly toward career development, but I saw it as an opportunity to share my faith as well as to inspire the students.

Apparently the enemy saw it that way, too, for he threw all sorts of obstacles in my path to prevent me from going. It reminded me that none of us are immune to his attacks. His first line of attack was to discourage me, as I allowed him to make me think that the students would not want to hear what I had to say. I finally had to literally get on my face before the Lord to thwart Satan’s attack. I felt released, then I came down with the flu. I had never had the flu that I recall. I was sick, and right up until the last two days before the event, it looked as though I would not be able to go. I even wrote the school and told them I would most likely have to cancel. Thank God, He had other plans.

I tell this story to encourage you to be aware of the enemy’s ways. The more you desire to serve God and share the truths of Christ with others, the more the devil will try to hinder you. If we understand this, we can be better prepared to overcome his hindrances. We must remember the warnings and the instructions the Word of God has given us regarding ways to defend ourselves from the enemy.

In Ephesians 6:10-17, Paul wrote, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

The armor of God includes:

• 1) The belt of truth;

• 2) The breastplate of righteousness;

• 3) The shoes of the gospel of peace;

• 4) The shield of faith;

• 5) The helmet of salvation; and

• 6) The sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we cannot ignore the fact that the devil exists and his goal is to keep us in fear and bondage and to separate us from God. We are told to not be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).

I am happy to report that I was able to do the program and it was all I hoped it would be. After the school program, I met with some very strong, faithful Christian friends, and we had a wonderful, blessed time with the Lord. Satan will try to discourage us and stop us from doing God’s will, but if we will trust God to protect and sustain us, through the love of Christ we will persevere.

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

Always remember these words from Christ. “I have told you these things, so that in Me you many have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).



Contact Dr. Sam Smith, Butterfly Ministries, at ssmithkate@aol.com.

        

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