If you need to walk through an unfamiliar room in the dark, the most helpful thing is to find the light switch first and turn on some light. Then you’ll see the path clearly and whatever obstacles you’ll need to navigate around.
When you find new life in Christ and begin walking with Him, He opens your spiritual eyes and you’ll begin seeing yourself and your life differently. You are going to be more keenly aware of the invisible, spiritual side of life and how much more important than even your physical life that is, and how very little you understand about it. But not to worry … the same light that awakened you to new life, will now light your path as you move forward. He will show you the way to go. The Bible describes it as having a voice behind you, telling you to go here, or turn there, showing you the way. He is your constant companion and guide and will never leave you.
And you will need Him, because you are now living in enemy territory. You’re still stuck here on earth, but you are now a citizen of another kingdom, which puts you at odds with this world’s ruler. He doesn’t give up lost ground so easily, and so the battle begins … and the battlefield will be your own mind, will and emotions.
Our enemy is neither all powerful nor all knowing, but unlike us, he has access to both the physical and spiritual realms and can move about freely through both. Because he can see from the invisible, spiritual side, he sees and knows more about us than we know ourselves, and he plans his attacks accordingly. He knows your weaknesses and your strengths.
If you have a special anointing or gifts, or if God is preparing you for some special ministry or calling, the enemy likely knows a lot more about that than you, and that’s where his attacks will be focused. Short of physically killing you – which is totally subject to what God will or won’t allow him to do – he will be throwing everything he has at you to stop your progress.
He will attack you through people … friends who don’t approve of your new lifestyle. Family members who “know the real you”. Employers who require you to perform “questionable” business tactics.
He will attack you through circumstances … snarled traffic that keeps you from getting to an important appointment. Breaking appliances, dwindling bank accounts, missed opportunities. Anything to stop forward progress in your life. But here’s the kicker … God will use those very same things to grow you up, kill off that old sin nature, root out all the bad stuff like pride and selfishness and begin growing you up into what He created you to be!
Maybe He’s removing someone from your life who was a bad influence. Maybe that traffic snarl prevented you from being in a deadly accident. Perhaps your bank account is low because you base your security more on dollars than Him.
So how can you tell if your struggles are attacks from the enemy or discipline from God? Well, first know that it’s likely a little of both.
What the enemy intends for your destruction, God will turn it and use it for your good. Do a check on yourself and your inner peace … if you have peace on the inside – and even a still, quiet joy – despite pain and turmoil on the outside, your battle is being won.
I can’t really explain that inner peace and joy … it’s not explainable, and it only comes from being united and yielded to the resurrected Christ. But if you have it, you will KNOW!
The enemy knows, too, and he is enraged! But the risen Christ has left him impotent and defeated. Be still and allow Him to fight and win these battles for you. The battle and the victory are His. And we are His prize!
All that’s required of us is to just stand our ground. Just as Christ did during His temptation in the wilderness before beginning His earthly ministry, learn and speak scripture to your struggles, to encourage your own heart and defy the enemy’s attacks.
Like my pastor says … it's so simple, but it's not easy!