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Challenges are inevitable in life, irrespective of one’s age, religious belief or accomplishments.
These challenges take various forms such as job loss, barrenness, failure, sicknesses, lack, bereavement or spiritual battle.
Nevertheless, whatever form these challenges take, they are often orchestrated by the Devil to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).
Unfortunately, some Christians who are ignorant of the Devil’s devices give up on God and give place to the Devil during challenging periods.
The call to Christianity is a call to warfare. The day you gave your life to Christ, you enlisted in the army of God for the battle between good and evil, between the armies of God and the forces of darkness.
Every child of God is mandated to “fight the good fight of faith’’ (1 Timothy 6:12).
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
The Christian’s warfare against the devil and his demons is a long, stern, and perpetual conflict. In this combat, you cannot stay aloof; you either fight and win or you will be defeated. Satan our arch enemy doesn’t play fair; he steals, kills and destroy without mercy (John 10:10).
As Christians, we are constantly engaged in a battle. We don’t fight a physical battle, the scripture draws our attention to this fact when it states that ‘’we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places’’ – Ephesians 6:12.
We must not be ignorant of the devil’s constant and persistent attempts to subvert our hope and faith in God. He makes you doubt God and fills you with worry, anxiety, discouragement and depression. Note that the devil can only achieve all these if you give him a place in your life during your trying times.
You give him a place when you neglect the study of God’s word and prayers, avoid fellowship with other Christians, quit your duty post in Christian service and become idle, and when you yield to his suggestions and counsels rather than resist him steadfastly (James 4:7).
HOW DO YOU RESIST THE DEVIL?
First, through God’s word, the word of God is the Christian spiritual sword, and by reading and meditating constantly on it, you wield this mighty weapon to defeat Satan and his hordes.
The devil cannot withstand a Christian thoroughly armed with the word of God. Therefore, as a Christian, to be victorious in the fierce battle, you need to be fully kitted with all armour of God.
The Scripture commands you to put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the vile of the devil (Ephesians 6:11).
Thus, as a soldier of Christ, one indispensable weapon you must always have drawn is the “sword of the spirit’’ which is the word of God.
The word of God is the mightiest offensive weapon in our divine arsenal; it’s our chief weapon of attack.
The book of Hebrews 4:12 reveals to us with all certainty that ‘’the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit of the heart, and of the joint and marrow, and is a discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart’’.
When the power of the word is in operation in the life of a Christian and unleashed in faith, there is no enemy that it cannot defeat, its power is far reaching, comprehensive and unlimited.
The second is the name of Jesus. The scripture says that “God also hath highly exalted (Jesus Christ) and given Him a name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth and things under earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord, to the glory of God the father (Philippians 2:9-11)
Third, Unwavering faith in God; Faith moves God’s hand to intervene in your situation and without it you cannot please God (Hebrews 11:6).
Fourth, pray always; prayer put the devil on the run. So never allow him to take the weapon from you in your trying times.
Rick Warren said, the more you pray the less you panic, the more you worship, the less you worry. You‘ll feel more patient and less pressured’’.
Lastly you can resist the devil by fellowshipping with brethren constantly and avoiding being isolated. This will help shed off the weight of the challenge and by so doing you keep the devil off.
In addition, don’t let your challenges make you quit serving God. Remain at your duty post and serve him with your whole heart.
Above all, maintain your integrity like Job and consistently live a righteous life. Never yield to the temptation of blaming God. Let the situation bring you closer to God.
Whatever your challenges maybe, keep the devil constantly at bay; don’t give him any place. Remember that God cares about you and He is always willing to meet your needs.
Rest assured that God will deliver you in Jesus’ Name.
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