The Dark Truth About Spiritual Sluggishness

Do you ever feel like you’re running into a brick wall when you try to do good things in life?  In your walk with Christ, do you feel like you’re trying to swim upstream because of all the resistance you’re getting?  Why is it that we struggle when we’re trying to do what we believe are “godly” things?  While it is always possible that God is the One hindering you from heading in a direction he doesn’t want you to go (see Acts 16:6, for example), it is perhaps MORE likely that Satan and his evil minions are at work to derail you.  I know the whole issue of “spiritual warfare” might take you places you don’t want to go, but there is a REAL battle going on, whether you choose to ignore it or not.

But as for us, brothers, after we were forced to leave you for a short time (in person, not in heart), we greatly desired and made every effort to return and see you face to face.  So we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us.   1 Thessalonians 2:17-18

There are certainly other examples of Satan impeding the efforts of God’s people and delaying the inevitable success of God’s plan, but this one should suffice.  Satan is in the business of making our lives miserable.  Since creation, he has been trying to get the crowning glory of God’s work (us) to turn away from our share in His eternal purpose.  What IS that purpose?  That we get to share eternity with the God who made us, and Satan can’t do anything to change that outcome.

And here is the staggering thing—that in all which will one day belong to Him we have been promised a share (since we were long ago destined for this by the One who achieves His purposes by His sovereign will)…     Ephesians 1:11 (JB Phillips)

Since he is unable to thwart the overall plan of God, Satan and his cohorts act to slow down the inevitable.  Like the ants that invade your picnic or the mosquitos that interrupt your forest stroll, Satan can only provoke and aggravate your plans, but don’t let him exasperate you.  I am cautious even in writing these words, knowing that confronting Satan or his angels (demons) is risky business. 

Yet Michael the archangel, when he was disputing with the Devil in a debate about Moses’ body, did not dare bring an abusive condemnation against him but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”    Jude 9

The truth is that, although of course we lead normal human lives, the battle we are fighting is on the spiritual level. The very weapons we use are not those of human warfare but powerful in God’s warfare for the destruction of the enemy’s strongholds.    2 Corinthians 10:3-4  (JB Phillips)

How do we fight against an enemy we can’t see?  By using weapons the enemy can’t defeat!  When Satan wanted to attack Job, he asked God, “Haven’t You placed a hedge around him, his household, and everything he owns?”  (Job 1:10)   There IS protection from God available to us, so asking God to supernaturally protect us is Step 1.  Step 2 involves putting on the armor that God has provided for our protection, which includes prayer!  (Ephesians 6:11-18)  And finally, “Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him and be firm in the faith….”  (1 Peter 5:8-9)

I’m resisting, requesting God’s protection, and arming myself for the fight that always arrives when we’re trying to bring others to Jesus.  I urge you to do the same.

Jacob