Attacked or Unprotected?   By James Lantz

       You have probably heard christians say, I am being attacked by the devil. I am being attacked in my body or I am being attacked in my finances. I have been slandered by those who should care for me and forsaken by my friends. Is it scriptural for us to say that we are being attacked by the devil? It is certainly true that satan hates everyone who names the name of Christ and desires to stop us from spreading the all powerful, eternal word of God. The scripture says that Paul was given a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of satan to buffet him, lest he should be exalted above measure. ( 2 Cor. 12:7)  Some foolishly think that God assigned this demon to stir people to hate Paul everywhere he went so he would not be to highly exalted. God is not the one assigning demons, satan does that. God would not be a partner to hindering the gospel from being preached, seeing He is not willing that any should be lost. Remember, a house divided against itself will fall. God never said he does not want his people to be highly exalted. He said we are to humble ourselves and that he would exalt us. God is the one who exalted us to be seated together with Christ at his right hand. We must not think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think, but rather think more highly of others than we do ourselves. Jesus was born into the earth to free us from sin and death and to give back the dominion that Adam lost.    1 John 3:8  He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Everyone who received Jesus and believed on his name was empowered to become a son of God.  John 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:    We, the children of God, have been empowered to love, forgive, heal the sick, cast out devils, and to overcome everything the devil can throw at us in this world.  1 John 5:4  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

    Let’s take a look at how our Lord and others handled storms, sicknesses, demonic activity, persecutions and other acts of the devil. Jesus and his disciples entered into a ship to cross the sea to minister to two demon possessed men in the country of the Gergesenes. A great storm arose so that they were about to be washed overboard and they awoke Jesus, saying, Lord, save us before we perish. Matthew 8:26  And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.  Obviously satan was the one stirring up this storm in order to stop Jesus ministry but Jesus stopped it in its tracks. He also indicated that this was something the disciples should have handled without waking Him. Mark’s account tells us that the disciples already had the will of the Lord, because Jesus said, Let us pass over to the other side. God has many ways to protect his people and sometimes he will warn us not to go because he wants to spare us from danger. God warned Paul not to set sail right before winter, because there was trouble ahead, which would lead to hurt and much damage and even loss of life. The centurion did not want to winter at this port because he didn’t like the accommodations, and when the south wind blew softly, he chose the advise of the owner of the ship rather than the warning from Paul the prisoner. You can not stand up and rebuke the storm when God tells you not to go. God is so merciful that he granted Paul the lives of all those aboard the ship, even those who would not listen. Thank God for the intercessory prayer of those who know how to love, and forgive, and believe God. The healing power of God is available today to all who will receive. A leper came to Jesus and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if you are willing, I know you can make me clean.  Mt. 8:3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean.  And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.  When Jesus came into Peter’s house and saw that Peter’s mother in law lay sick with a fever he touched her and she was healed.  Mt. 8:15  And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.  I notice what kind of people receive their healing, Peter’s mother in law was a server. One woman from Canaan came crying after Jesus trying to get a healing for her daughter. Jesus did not answer her because she came under false pretenses. When she cried after the disciples they petitioned Jesus to send her away. Instead of sending her away Jesus revealed that covenant privileges are only available to covenant people. When she quit being deceptive (acknowledged that she was not a covenant person) and believed that God would cast the devil out of her daughter she received mercy. Mt. 15:28  Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.  Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God even though they had been wrongly beaten and imprisoned. Their faith brought them deliverance as God shook the foundations and opened every door.  2 Cor. 12:10  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.  These things were obviously brought on by satan, our enemy. These things are attacks from the devil and still take place today. Now I am sure that Paul’s flesh didn’t like being beaten, stoned or going through shipwreck any better than yours does. Paul was taking pleasure in Jesus getting the glory for his deliverance as well as the gospel being received by many. James said we are to count it all joy when we fall into divers temptations (testing or trial) knowing that the trying of our faith works patience, and working patience we will become perfect and entire wanting nothing. God said that if we lack wisdom, just ask him, and he will give us all we need. Our expectation to come out of trouble is our faith. As we look to the Lord for deliverance He will lead us out. The Holy Spirit leads and delivers in many different ways as mentioned how Jesus was led to cross the sea and Paul was warned not to go at that time.

     Any mention that we make, of being attacked by the devil, should not be spoken with the idea that we have no way of defending ourselves, or that we are disadvantaged in any way. We are not to be worried or fearful, but respond by acting on the word.   Phil. 4:6 Amp.  Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything by prayer and petition (definite requests) with thanksgiving continue to make your wants known to God.  Not one of the Apostles who wrote the epistles ( Peter, Paul, James, John, Jude) ever tell us to pray and ask God to get the devil off of us. We have been commanded to resist the devil and he will flee from us. Just as Jesus gave power to the twelve and also to the seventy to cast out demons and to heal the sick he also empowered us (the church).  Mt. 28:18 – 20 . . . All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, . . . and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.   Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you .  .  .   Here are four more scriptures in the new testament which specifically show that Jesus has delegated his authority to his church (Body of Christ).  Mk. 16:17  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;  Eph. 4:27  Neither give place to the devil. James 4:7  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.   1 Pet. 5:8 & 9  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom (you) resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.  The devil can not take us out whenever he so desires, in fact, we can get to the place where he will leave us alone for a season. Acts 19:15  And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know; and Paul I know; but who are you?  The one the devil can devour is someone who is not close to the Lord or for the one who has carelessly left his guard down. The one who dwells in the secret place of the most High God, abiding in his shadow. He is the one who will boldly speak of God’s protection and God will protect him even though eleven thousand shall die beside him. Jesus has defeated the devil, his power is broken, and we have been given authority over him! The devils tremble from Almighty God and from those who know who they are in Christ Jesus! Come on saints, submit yourselves unto God and the work he has called us to, resist the devil and lets get this gospel preached. Joshua led the children of Israel into the promised land and they took all the land the Lord had promised.  Pro.16:7  When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.  Every good thing the Lord had spoken unto Israel, it all came to pass. When the Philistines came against Israel and Judah, God raised up David and gave him victory after victory until there was rest on every side. King Solomon and his generation enjoyed the blessing of peace from their enemies for many years because of David’s success. God’s way is for us to believe God and use the matchless name of Jesus against the evil one. Pro. 10:22  The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.