Counter Attack!

Satan is like an annoying, buzzing mosquito with that high-pitched “bzzzzz” that you can’t locate.  He comes at you from every angle, buzzing around, just waiting to dive in for blood.  He will attack any area of your life that is left unprotected.  If you guard your attitude, he will zoom in on your thoughts.  You can’t always see him, but you know he’s there.  Just when you think you’ve gotten rid of him, he comes buzzing back looking for an unprotected area of your life. His goal is to stop anyone or anything that could advance the kingdom of God.  He wants to discourage your personal walk with God as well as any ministry in which you participate.

We expect and prepare for mosquitoes when camping, fishing, and other outdoor activities.  But we aren’t often prepared for their attacks indoors.  We become comfortable at home, and somehow they slip in, begin buzzing around, and eventually swoop in for blood.  Not being prepared, we may find ourselves fighting off their attacks or suffering the effects of itchy bites.

In a similar way, Satan often slips in during those moments we least expect it. I recently heard someone say that Satan begins to lean on us, just slightly so that it’s not very noticeable.  As we become comfortable, he leans in a little harder and a little harder until eventually he knocks us off our feet.  We then find ourselves living in sin, discouragement, and despair, but the good news is God provides protection.

 Steps for Counter Attack against Satan:

1. Don’t hang out near infested waters.  Avoid situations that provide ample opportunities for Satan to work.  Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith.  1 Peter 5:8-9
2. Immediately swat any threats.  Stay on guard and aggressively resist temptation.  Do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:27 
3. Wear protective clothing. Put on the armor of God each day which includes the defensive weapons of truth, righteousness, sharing the gospel, faith, and salvation.  Also necessary are offensive weapons of scripture and prayer.  Read your Bible daily and pray for God to protect you from attacks.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  Ephesians 6:11
4. Consistently use repellant.  God is our strongest defense against the devil’s attacks.  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Ephesians 6:10

Each time Satan is successful at attacking our attitude, thoughts, and actions, he leaves behind a nasty mark on our lives.  These marks will constantly itch as a reminder, but God is the great physician, and he can heal each blemish.  His love can serve as both a soothing medicine to heal each nasty sore caused by Satan’s attacks and as a protectant against future attacks.   God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.    1 Corinthians 10:13

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