satan

Don’t let people buy Satan’s lie… Keep reminding them they have no rights.

One of the growing ideas in our society is the concept that “I have rights”. I have a right to free speech, I have a right to equal treatment, I even have rights when I’ve been arrested (to remain silent) and I have rights when I’m convicted of a horrendous crime (food, shelter, etc.)!

But these are rights that human authorities have established for how humans should treat each other (and I’m glad they have). But the trouble is when this pattern of thinking get’s applied to God and how God treats us. Most people live under the vague assumption that they have rights when it comes to God. They (unconsciously) expect that God should treat them according to some set of eternal bill of rights that stands between divine beings and humans. Satan really has done an amazing job!

The reality is that you have no rights before God. You have no rights before your creator. This is true not only because he’s your creator and sustainer, but also because you’ve rejected him and his ways. You’ve abandoned the God of the universe and hated him in your heart and actions. We’ve all relinquished any chance of having rights before God in our sin.

What would Satan do?

Paul says to the Corinthians that we should not be unaware of Satan’s schemes (2Cor2:11) and that we should stand against the schemes of the devil (Eph6:11).
So take the time to think into the enemy’s camp.

      Who – in your ministry – would they most want to attack?
      Who are the most vulnerable in your ministry?
      What would be good targets in this season?
      How would satan be most likely to trap and ensnare your people?
      What weaknesses of yours would satan most likely leverage against you and your ministry?
      What are the best ways to fight these spiritual battles?

This is what makes ministry so hard. Your people are the front line in a war that brings a fate worse than death – hell. No wonder Paul lists out all his “worldly” troubles and then says they’re nothing compared to his daily anxiety for the churches (2Cor12).