Those of us who have known Christ for a long time are very much aware of the spiritual warfare we are in. God is sovereign and we know that our ultimate victory in this war is secure. We read in the book of Revelation that our enemy the devil is a defeated foe, and his doom is secure. Rev. 20:10 tells us: “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever”. One day the battle with the world, the flesh, and the devil will be over. Yet that day has not happened yet, and we are still at war.
We need to be aware of the tactics of Satan. He can get an advantage over us if we become ignorant of his devices (2 Corinthians 2:11). When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, he mentions that he desired to come a pay them a visit to continue their spiritual maturation. However, he said in 1Thess. 2:18: “Therefore we wanted to come to you--even I, Paul, time and again--but Satan hindered us”. Paul was hindered by Satan in some way from being present with the believers in Thessalonica. The word “hindered” is a miliary term and describes how the enemy would break up the ground before an advancing army to slow their progress.
Satan is still hindering the child of God in his daily walk with Christ. He hinders us as we try to reach others with the gospel. He tries to take out our spiritual leaders with fiery darts of sin. And he attempts to cast mud on the church of Jesus Christ.
We who are soldiers of Christ need to put on our armor and stand firm. We must continue the forward march with the gospel for our Commander even though we are hindered by the devil. One day the battle will be over, and the enemy will be defeated. Until that day comes let’s determine not to back up, shut up, or give up. Because one day we will be taken up.
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