Invisible Battle

Dear Friend,

I returned to Orlando six weeks ago to continue working full-time on expanding my team of ministry partners. I generally think about this process in terms of emails, letters, phone calls, meetings, etc. Yet I’ve also been reminded lately that this isn’t just a very challenging set of tasks… it is war.

Spiritual warfare is an aspect of my ministry, and the Christian faith, that I don’t often bring up. In American churches it’s often handled in extremes: some believers credit Satan for every problems; others ignore him completely. Yet the Bible very clearly speaks of God’s enemy, his methods, and his ultimate defeat. Christ-followers are called to live with regard to this spiritual conflict as victors, not victims.

There’s a reason Jesus prefaced the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) by proclaiming, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth (v. 18).” Our Savior’s absolute rule over the physical and spiritual realms goes hand-in-hand and his mandate to take his message to the nations. The Apostle Paul clearly identifies the conflict: “We are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:11-12).”

I believe that in the present day spiritual battle there is no greater triumph for our Lord, and no greater loss for the enemy, than someone making a decisions for Christ. Could there be anything the evil one hates more than evangelism and discipleship? With increasing numbers of people to reach, and expanding opportunities to share Christ’s message, I dare say the fight is becoming more intense every day.

Jesus said of his enemy, “He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44).” Deception is at the core of Satan’s attempts to disrupt God’s plan of redemption. The devil deceives the lost so they will not accept the Word (Luke 8: 12, Ephesians 2:2). And though he cannot separate the Redeemed from the Redeemer, he’s always ready to strike with a crippling lie (John 10:29, 1 Peter 5:8). Perhaps the enemy’s greatest deception is to cause us to forget about him.

I could blame the evil one for my every struggle, but I cannot ignore my own faults. I wholeheartedly believe that God is in control, but I do have a cunning and determined enemy trying to interfere. If Satan is opposed to anyone determined to share Christ’s message, he’ll certainly try to keep a missionary from doing the Lord’s work.

When Satan tries to deceive me, my only recourse is truth. He tells me that God has forgotten about me; I recall God’s faithfulness and love. The enemy wants to convince me my ministry isn’t God’s will — and I think about the many ways God has proven it is. He tells me people don’t want to hear from me; I declare that I will step out in faith and leave the results to God. I could go on with this list for many pages.

In Ephesians 6, Paul admonishes us to put on the “armor of God” for battle with the enemy. The primary purpose of armor is defense, but prayer is the offense. So as I make every effort to stand firm against the enemy’s attacks and share Christ, I can only gain ground personally and in ministry through prayer. That’s why I need you.

Yours in Christ,