Satan’s Snipers

2 Corinthians 10:4-6 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Why should I act like I have it all together? Why should I put on my happy face and make you think that all is well in my world? As a disciple of Jesus, you might expect me to live some lofty life; some carefree seemingly endless seam of blessing full of the joys found in this world. Why would a Christian suffer, if Jesus is so good? Many a false teacher is proclaiming that false gospel today; “if you are not living blessed by God you do not have enough faith in God.” I am not sure if their Bible has in it John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” The man who God used to write most of the New Testament suffered greatly for God; even at his salvation God told Ananias how, For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake. (Acts 9:16) As a Christian you are at war with the limited ruler of this world and Satan is not about to let you off easy. You have waged war against evil itself, but you are now fighting on a spiritual plain that is in an invisible world. You cannot see nor defeat by your own strong will and power; you must rely on God and the power of his Word; you must understand that you are fighting a defeated foe.

Spiritual warfare is so real but recognized by so few. This warfare comes at you cunningly by the father of lies and deception, always seeking to weaken your faith. His tactics are endless and extraordinary. The stronghold in your life are his snipers behind battle lines. I know the Lord has clearly been speaking to me on strongholds he has in my life; only you and God know your weak positions. Satan’s snipers are deadly; they kill from within for they weaken our testimonies and faith. The world reaches out and grabs our attentions and suddenly we are in pursuits of the pleasures of the world. Only a heart, mind, body, and soul pursuit of God daily can defend against these attacks. We cannot win on our own accord, but the strength found only in prayer and diligent study of God’s Word can, and already has won the spiritual war.

Strongholds…..what are yours? Where has Satan placed a sniper in your life? You know, and likely he is trying to get you to deny it’s existence, or maybe lessen the importance of it’s existence. Listen to Jesus’ words about Satan as he condemned the religious leaders of the day. 44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. Go to God in prayer and his word to fight the good fight against the enemy. Joy is not found in this world; it is found in eternity with Jesus and all that Satan tempts you with is to take your eyes off that reality. It takes a diligent daily pursuit of God to fight this spiritual war; laying down your guard let’s the snipers in. Fight the good fight in prayer and his Word and know that only he can defeat that stronghold in your life.