When The Enemy Attacks

Let me begin by saying, that this blog assumes that you know something about the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20). If you’re not, go give it a read now. Even if you haven’t though, I think you’ll still get something out of my message today.

The Armor of God teaches us how to fight. It doesn’t really teach us how to know when to fight. I know what you’re thinking, “we should be fighting all the time”. That’s true. We are in a spiritual war and we must always be on guard. However, there are times when we are at enhanced risk to enemy attack. I’m sure you’ve all seen that multi-colored “terror alert level” indicator the government introduced after the 9/11 attacks. It’s sort of like that. We must always maintain a constant state of readiness, but there are times when we are more vulnerable. You can help identify the times you’re at increased risk of being attacked by noticing when you’re experiencing one of the following three states: fear, frustration, and fatigue.

Fighting off the enemy using the weapons given to us by God requires two things: attention and intention. Attention because we have to know what’s going on and intention because we don’t beat the enemy by accident. Attention and intention are difficult to maintain when we are in state of fear, frustration, or fatigue.

So, my message here is short and simple: Pay attention!

Pay attention to when you are in a fearful state. Maybe you’re a university student like me and don’t know where the money is going to come from to pay your tuition and you scared because you’re afraid you might have to leave school.

Maybe you’re working on a big deal at work and it’s not going well. The other members of your team aren’t pulling their weight and you’re frustrated.

Perhaps you’ve been burning the candle at both ends and you’re just tired: physically and emotionally.

Whatever the situation, it’s important to notice how you’re feeling and realize that now, more then any other time, is the time to be engaging in the defense of your spirit and soul. It’s when we’re tired that we are move vulnerable to temptation and making a bad decision. The enemy will attack most at your weakest and he’ll do whatever he can to get you down and keep you down. Don’t let him!

Pay attention and fight back!