Why is it that no matter how much we learn about God’s love for us, we struggle with our identity?
Because who we are in Christ is the very target the enemy wants to muffle, disable, take-out, or at the least, wound.
Every time I think about our enemy, the devil, I can’t help but picture an army at war. I’m not from a military family although my granddad served long before I was born. But I’ve watched enough movies, documentaries, or newscasts to be able to envision men at war.
“…your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8b).
WHOM may he devour? This is referring to WHOMEVER isn’t aware of his devices.
The Bible says we should never be ignorant of Satan’s devices against God’s children lest we be taken advantage of. Yet no matter how much we know this, there are days when we are taken off-guard by a direct attack on our identity in Christ.
And I’m sharing this with you so you’ll be prepared.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). Other translations say we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies (NLT) or physical opponents (AMP), but against spiritual forces that control evil in the world (GWT).
Just recently I fell under one of these attacks. I began to have bombarding thoughts regarding my worth; and I let it consume me to such a point that I reacted negatively.
I got snagged in the enemy’s trap.
As soon as I came to my senses and reminded myself of the lies of the enemy and the TRUTH of God’s Word, I then fell victim to guilt.
Ugh. Another trap.
In my book, Facing the Mirror: Finding a Self to Live With, I wrote: At any stage of life, Satan loves using the weaknesses of our flesh as a weapon against us; much like the bully who grabs our wrist, swinging it toward our face, yelling, “Quit hitting yourself! Quit hitting yourself!” Satan targets our insecurities and then laughs at our self-destruction. The Bible says we fall into his snare and are “taken captive by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:26). [page 19]
This is why we can’t be ignorant of the enemy’s devices. Going back to my earlier scripture, Peter said, “…your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8b). But that’s only half of the verse. The first part says, “Be sober, be vigilant, because…” (1 Peter 5:8a).
To be vigilant means to be keenly watchful, awake, and alert. In other words, recognize that in this life you will always be at war with the devil, so never underestimate his strategies against you or YOUR WORTH IN CHRIST. “[For God] saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began” (2 Timothy 1:9).
You are not alone. Satan’s tricks have remained the same since the garden. Therefore, remain firm in your faith and vigilant to stand. The Greater One is on your side.
