It is a problem that churches have. It is a problem that we have as individual Christian. It is a problem that would derail us in our work for the Lord and in our walk with the Lord if we do not deal with it. The problem has a name and that name is Satan. Consider what the Bible says.
Zechariah 3:1-2 “And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?”
Here is the man of God and Satan is right at it, right next to the man of God. Satan, the Bible says, is there with a specific purpose. The purpose of Satan is to resist the man of God in what that man of God is doing for the Lord. In other words, we have an enemy. What should happen in this battle with the enemy?
First, we should know what Satan wants to do and how he intends to do it. Satan is always looking for even the slightest foothold to disrupt our lives and our church. We need to know that. 2 Corinthians 2:11 says “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” We know he is trying to get to us. 1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
Next, we need to take the action that we can take. First, armor up. Dress for battle. Ephesians 6:11-12 “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Next: submit then resist. Submit yourself first unto the Lord, then, with all you can muster, resist Satan. James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Finally, ask the Lord to rebuke the devil. Look at the way Zechariah 3:2 begins. “And the LORD said unto Satan, the LORD rebuke thee.” Get God in on the battle. He has no interest in allowing the devil to derail you or the church. We need the Lord to fight for us. Ask Him to help you. God, according to Zechariah 3:1, has an angel set and ready to help us. The Lord is willing to fight for us. Let’s resist and ask God to rebuke.
Do we have an enemy? YES! Are we powerless against that enemy? NO! Let’s be aware of Satan’s goal of derailing us and our service to the Lord. Let’s not give him opportunity to work in our lives. Make the decision to get dressed for battle in the whole armor of God and stand up to resist the devil. Finally, get God’s help to rebuke the devil. Ask God to tell the devil to get lost.
The defeat of the devil, overcoming the opposition, suppressing of Satan, exasperating the enemy is possible! Let us do what we need to do to do to protect ourselves as we move forward for the Lord.