Hey, friend, welcome to FACETS. Have you checked out our topic this month? We’ve been wrestling with the question deeply because the war with this enemy has meaningful implications. This is war! And the enemy has a plan. Tracy shared here thoughts here, and you’ll have the opportunity to read Megan’s post next week. I’m super-excited to welcome back our guest, Tammy Chapman, this month, so don’t miss her thoughts the fourth week!
It’s “puppy time” in my world this week, and I’m asking for grace. The timing of my post is a little off, but—you know, puppies! *Giggle* I hope you find the words thought-provoking. (I know I did, the whole time I was writing it!)
How does the enemy try to silence you?
Ahhh, there’s the rub. Look at all the assumptions made in that single question—that there is an enemy actively and nefariously working in opposition, and (in this instance) he is working to silence me.
We have an enemy.
Once upon a time I was oblivious to the reality of the two kingdoms at war in this world. Not surprising, since the unseen is often completely ignored or decidedly focused on with misleading information. One of my favorite reads on the subject is The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis. The beauty of the short book is to present a dialogue illuminating the existence of an evil empire and the plans of the enemy. If you haven’t read it, I recommend the 31-letter correspondence between a senior demon (Screwtape) and his nephew (Wormwood). As a point of clarification, when Lewis refers to “Enemy,” he is referring to the main characters’ enemy, God.
I’m quoting Lewis and Scripture because both point to a reality—we have an enemy, and he has a plan.
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 ESV
Our enemy is at work.
When an enemy wages war, how does he do it? Two words: tailor made. Warfare goes after the target’s physical and emotional safety through geography, resources, and most basic needs. Every target has slightly different territory, means, core beliefs, and essentials. The “wise” enemy sizes up the situation and leverages everything to his advantage. Wouldn’t you?
“Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts,…Your affectionate uncle, Screwtape.” ― C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters
If I had no belief in the God Who Saves, why would my enemy need to be concerned with an attack on that front. He would, in my opinion, spend more time keeping the reality of the Kingdom of God from entering my mind altogether.
“It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out.” ― C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters
How destructive to our enemies’ plans if we knew and trusted completely in God, the Lover of our souls! And that has little to do with the perfect life, rose-colored glasses, or every answered prayer. The greatest warfare we wage on our enemy is through love and obedience in response to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
“Do not be deceived, Wormwood. Our cause is never more in danger than when a human, no longer desiring, but still intending, to do our Enemy’s will, looks round upon a universe from which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys.” ― C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters
How does the enemy work in a life?
The enemy builds a strategy from the same playbook; there’s nothing all that novel. Identifying tactics you’ve seen before may be a window to the current attack. That’s definitely true in my own life. If the enemy can get me to distrust the goodness of God, doubt my core identity, or ride the spiral of pride and shame down to the pit, he thinks he’s got a successful plan.
And he might…if I begin to believe the lies and question the trusting faith that reunites me with my heavenly Father and saves me from sin and death.
“A moderated religion is as good for us as no religion at all—and more amusing.” ― C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters
The lies are passing thoughts at first. Over time, Christianity becomes “weak.” The Bible becomes a dusty book on a shelf. My life becomes “a shameful story no one would want to hear”—and I wouldn’t dare share! And that is the desired effect, isn’t it? Moderated Christianity portrayed powerless, culturally irrelevant, and heaping guilt and shame.
I could become the silent observer in this world waiting for the next. After all, if anyone knew what really goes on in my mind…heart…life. It would be too easy.
Unless—
Truth wages war on lies and the “father of lies.”
When I think of the enemy’s warfare, I know one thing: truth trumps a lie. A mind occupied with truth doesn’t fall for the lie.
My victory and honor come from God alone.
He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. Psalm 62:7 NLT
Think about that.
God is victorious, so we are.
Any honor we have is from God.
And He is our safe place!
No harm or condemnation. We are loved, honored, and cherished. If we choose to join His life, He joins us in ours.
Who wouldn’t want to tell the unsuspecting sojourner in this world that there’s a good God who saves us from sin and into the Kingdom of light?
It’s a battle.
It really is a battle between two kingdoms, but it’s not as if the Kingdom of God is in jeopardy. We can and do know how the story ends. Until that time, I pray for you the way Paul prayed:
…I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.
Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:14b-19 NLT
Friend, do not be silenced! We have the honest truth, the real good news! I pray that we will know the truth, and that truth will produce freedom for each of us and the people in our lives. It really is something to talk about. We cannot stay silent.
Thank you for reading all the words. It is a blessing to know some of you personally, both face-to-face and at a distance. It would make my day to hear your thoughts in the comments below or at the Facebook Page.
And please, consider introducing the Facets to your friends and family. We’d love to meet them!
