Satan, the enemy of our souls, has a horrible weak spot. Not since the book of Acts, has the Church effectively used this powerful weapon in efforts to wage war against our nemesis. In fact, it is such a powerful weapon that Satan has done, and continues to do, all within his power to stop it from being activated.
So what is this weapon of mass destruction against demonic powers and principalities? It is unity - the state of wholeness or oneness.
How does Satan thwart the body of Christ from moving in unity? He attacks and deceives in three key areas: the individual; the family; and the fellowship.
First, he attacks the individual believer. He convinces us there is nothing wrong with being divided in our own heart. Half hearted Christianity is evidenced by the pursuit of worldly pleasure, comfort, status, approval, etc. above “seeking first the Kingdom”. Revelations refers to this as a “lukewarm” relationship with Christ.
We are deceived into building our lives on an impure mixture of God’s Kingdom and the fallen world’s systems. The goal is to control what “faith” will cost us personally. This is extremely dangerous territory for a Believer.
In his craftiness, Satan blinds us from grasping the severity of the exchange when we accepted Christ’s sacrifice. We are to be dead to self serving existence (which only leads to sin) and we are to be fully alive to Christ alone. This means that God is the center and leader of 100% of our life. It belongs to Him to be used for the purpose of His Kingdom. While He is good and worthy of that level of allegiance – few want to go there.
When we recognize that our identity, security and significance come only from our relationship with the King - our eyes become open to the division within our own heart and mind. In response to this revelation, we are invited to consistently choose to surrender our will and follow Him. “Cost” is no longer an issue – because the value of His presence and our faith far outweigh any level of personal sacrifice.
Not many who proclaim to be Believers are viable threats to the demonic forces that permeate our world. It is only those who are endowed with an undivided heart and an unwavering commitment to the King. Because he or she dwells so completely in union with Christ – it is as if God Himself is visible to the world through that Believer. No wonder Satan will do all he can to distract, distort and deceive us away from a pervasive intimacy with Christ.
A committed, undivided heart for God – do you have one? It will be reflected by what you pursue: what you do with your time; money and resources; how you invest in others, etc.
If you know you are not as committed as you need to be, tell Him – be honest. Invite Him to form such a heart and mind within you – after all, such things really are His work; we simply yield to Him in the process.
But understand this – should you choose to really follow Him – you are waging war on the enemy. You will be a target because you will be a threat.
Stop back Wednesday to learn how Satan attacks and neutralizes our effectiveness by bringing division to the family.
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