The enemy wants to kill and destroy your life. There are many weapons he will use against you because of your faith and love for Jesus. John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” In the life of every Christian, there are things that the devil targets and determines to rob you of. What many people don’t know or realize is that offense is one of the devil’s greatest tools to steal our peace and rob us of God’s blessings.
The word “offense” comes from the Greek word scandalon. This word describes a trap used to hold bait in order to lure animals. Similarly, offense is the bait the enemy uses to trap us. He will use people’s words and actions to get our minds churning and stir up our emotions. He uses this bait to lure us into a lifetime of bitterness, resentment, unforgiveness, strife, hatred and revenge. The enemy sets us up to get upset. He knows our weaknesses and plays on those. He knows what buttons to push to take us over the edge. Some of the things the devil is intent on robbing you of include:
Your Vision
Vision takes a person to their destination. Vision creates room for the next level and enlarges your coast. The enemy wants to steal your vision so it is killed and so that stagnancy prevails. Don’t believe the devil’s lies that you can’t have a happy life. God says you can. You choose who you’re going to believe. Start resisting the devil. Join forces together against the enemy and start seeing, believing and saying what God says about you. God’s Word never fails.
Your Desire
The Bible says the desires of our hearts shall be granted but when desires are killed, frustration sets in. The enemy wants to keep us in a constant state of frustration because we cannot operate in the grace of God and frustration at the same time any more than we can operate in faith and fear at the same time. Paul warned us not to frustrate the grace of God (Galatians 2:21). When we’re frustrating, we’re frustrating the grace of God because God’s grace is available to help us, but we’re too focused on outward circumstances or inward thoughts to focus on Him. We know the Scripture: God will keep you in perfect peace if you keep your eyes set on Him (Isaiah 26:3).
Your Purpose
Whether you know it or not, God has a special purpose for your life – a calling He wants you to know and pursue. Our purpose gives our life definition and meaning. The enemy wants to steal your purpose because he knows that a life with no purpose becomes worthless. The Bible tells us. “The plans of the diligent leads surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5). If you want to achieve the life God imagined for you, not the life the enemy did, it’s important that you set goals for yourself. Actively move towards those goals. Take some time to sort out what you’re aiming for in life, so you can towards the realization of your dreams.
Your Voice
We have all been given a voice by God. One of the joys of the enemy is to silence our voices and make sure the authority of our voice is lost. The enemy will steal your voice without warning or notice. He wants to become the keeper of our souls, thwart the efforts of the King, break His heart and obliterate our Kingdom-building impact and potential. It’s important that we are grounded in the Word and take back what it rightfully ours. The best part about yanking your voice back from the enemy is that you are glorifying God at the same time. The Word we have in our heart can be used to pummel the enemy and God loves when we use our voice and His Word to overcome the devil.
Your Calling
As the kingdom of light threatens the kingdom of heaven darkness, the enemy does not want anyone to fulfill their ministry. The fulfillment of your ministry to the devil means the defeat of his own kingdom. He wants to make your calling independent of God’s calling. But when you filter your actions and even your thoughts by asking in your heart, “Would this call head or grieve the Holy Spirit?” you are in effect making the Holy Spirit the gatekeeper of your mind.
Your Destiny
Destiny is summed up as your mission on earth. The enemy knows that when your destiny is killed a man or woman becomes a walking corpse. Spiritual discernment can save you from the destructive lies of the enemy. Ask God for spiritual clarity. Then ask yourself am I spending time with people who supports my goals? Am I venturing out on a path that will propel me into my God-given calling? Are my group of friends really for me?
The good news is that as believers, we can beat the enemy because we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). We know the truth of God’s Word and we don’t have to take the bait.
The enemy will steal, kill and destroy your blessings, just to discourage your walk with God. He wants you to question God’s goodness. He will make you jobless, steal your joy, try to shame you, destroy your children, all so that you will deny God. There is no extent the enemy will not go to, to see your heart fail. That’s why it’s so important to remember your blessings. Count them one by one. God is wise. He often uses our natural settings and the people in them to move us along the path He has chosen for us. The path may be winding and steep, but it’s never a path of defeat – only victory. Today’s blessings are a result of God’s masterful orchestration of people and events. So if you are facing difficult circumstances, take heart. The answers you are believing in for tomorrow are in God’s hand today.
