Episode 55: You’re the Boss! Winning When the Enemy Tries to Draw You In
Christians love to talk about things like victory, battles, and winning for the Lord. Yet research shows most believers admit they’ve never felt more defeated, tired, or overwhelmed. Why?
Perhaps it’s because we have no strategy to win life’s battles. The book of Nehemiah gives a clear outline specifying how to win against the enemy’s plan. If we know his plan, we can fight well against it.
When Nehemiah heard that the walls of his former hometown (Jerusalem) were in ruins decades after the city was overrun by the soldiers of Babylon—he couldn’t contain his pain. He wept and prayed for days, and then came up with a plan. The King agreed to let him go home to rebuild the city walls, and even supplied him with the materials needed to do so, but nothing could have prepared him for what he saw.
As he rallied the people to begin to build, two men begin to speak against him. When you get serious with the Lord and begin to make a mark for his kingdom, don’t be surprised to see the enemy “wake up” and raise his head.
From this story, we see four enemy strategies that he tries to use to defeat you:
1. THE ENEMY DRAWS YOU IN.
The enemy’s primary goal is to draw you into his attack. He does this by pushing on the very thing that means the most to you. He’ll bring fear, anxiety, insecurity, or doubt, to counterattack a promise God has made or an assignment you’ve dreamed of for His glory. Nehemiah pushed back by staying calm and pointing the attention back to God. How we respond at this initial point impacts the outcome of our choices and the legacy of our vision. If we try to go toe-to-toe with the enemy, we’ll end up bloody and bruised. When the enemy draws you in, stay calm and recite God’s purpose and hope. Say it as many times a day as you need to and believe it! His word is true.
2. THE ENEMY GATHERS PEOPLE AGAINST YOU TO SCARE YOU.
Nehemiah 4:1-3 shows the enemy loves to rally people against the truth of God. Sanballat went to the wealthy people of Samaria and mocked their work. He then spewed insults to intimidate them. We must remember the enemy attacks those he fears will take territory or influence for the Kingdom. Nehemiah devised a plan to have people armed with building tools and a sword. He also stationed people at the weakest points of the wall so the enemy couldn’t target them there. We must continue to build while protecting ourselves with the sword of God’s word. We also need to be aware of our weak spots - we don’t want to give the enemy an entry.
3. THE ENEMY WILL TRY TO BEFRIEND YOU.
This is often the hardest attack to overcome. In Nehemiah 6:2-4 we see his enemies reaching out for a meeting. “Come, let’s meet!” they say. If the enemy can’t beat you, he’ll make you think he’s joined you. Nehemiah responds with a brilliant comment “I’m doing a good work and I can’t come down.” When the enemy pretends to be a friend, wisely chose to decline his sneaky offer.
4. THE ENEMY WILL LIE ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER AND PURPOSE.
One thing is for sure…the enemy loves to stir up drama. When Nehemiah refused to meet with his enemies, they had a letter read to him that said, “You’re trying to be King!” Nothing was further from the truth, but Nehemiah knew he had to crush these lies right away. Here are two ways to deliver the knock-out punch:
Bullies only respond to strength, so watch what you say. Don’t say too much. Remember, Jesus spoke very little after His arrest, but when He did speak, it was power! Pray about when to respond, and for the right words to deliver your message.
Speak directly to your intimidator. Don’t try to rally other people around it, this only creates gossip and more drama. Remember, it’s YOUR character and purpose at stake. God is your defender.
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