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Encouragement Hope Women Living Today

Are You Sleeping With The Enemy?

by 38 Comments

A few weeks ago I was sweeping the kitchen floor – just the simplicity of that task soothed my funky, post-vacation soul that morning.  And as He does, He spoke to me – I told you about that here. As I swept this thought came to me:

To know how to fight one must know who or what they are fighting – one must identify the enemy.

Ask any soldier. To achieve victory know who you are fighting and fight accordingly.

Women especially have been facing this age-old battle since the Garden.

Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden? Genesis 3.1

Back to the broom.

It was obvious I was in a battle and I was determined to identify my enemy in order for me to be appropriately armed.

For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6.12

The enemy of our soul is Satan himself. HE IS THE ENEMY. But he is cunning and wily. He uses good things like fruit and fun to lure us and then we are soul-slain and pitiful.

I had to identify the bait.

And, there it was, as plain as the dust bunnies on the floor. Once I took the time to I.D. the problem? It was as plain to see as the sun now streaming in the windows.

Discontentment. You have visited me before and I allowed you rites far too long. This time your stay will be short-lived because I know the rules of engagement this go-round.

Do the next thing.

Live in the present.

Choose joy.

I swept the fuzz and dirt into the dustpan and began the mental image of dressing in God’s armor – this works every time!

Stand your ground, putting on the belt of Truth and the body armor [breastplate] of righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet and take the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. Ephesians 6.14-17

I was able to identify my enemy and engage the right weaponry! Here is a list of some of the enemies of soul to watch for:

  1. Fear
  2. Pride
  3. Perfectionism
  4. Addiction
  5. Greed
  6. Iniquities
  7. Complacency
  8. Covetousness
  9. Discontentment
  10. Unforgiveness

God furnishes the Weapons in His Word – it is “the standing our ground” that takes real effort and intentionality. We need reinforcements, friends who will pray and hold up our arms in battle – don’t expect to win the battle alone – the Body of Christ is our army battalion to come alongside, standing and fighting for us. Don’t try to be that lone soldier and don’t be afraid to step out and say something to a sister in trouble. Truth, in love, is never a wrong thing. Never.

So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband WHO WAS WITH HER, and he ate it, too. Genesis 3.6

Just think! If Adam had spoken Truth, in love, that day in the garden? We wouldn’t be in the mess we are today!

Let’s be vigilant with one another. Let’s look out for one another. We are in this together.

If you are suffering? Tell someone.

If you see someone sinking? Go put some feet to faith and say something – love them with TRUTH. You may just save their life. (This isn’t judging them it is saving them!)

Let’s stop sleeping with the enemy – let’s kick him OUT!

Are you sleeping with the enemy? I’ll help you identify the enemy! #BGBG2

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xo

This week I’ll be linking up with Inspire Me Monday, Testimony Tuesday, Tell His Story, Tea and Word, Porch Stories, Coffee for Your Heart, Tune In Thursday, Dance With Jesus, Fresh Market Friday, and Glimpses of His Beauty.

The April Give-away!

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Pondering on this great article, and I’m sharing also! The book I’m reading said also to ask for help , for others to pray for you. We need to stand together in this fight and we are not alone. Thank you, honey!

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    • Yes, I do say just that, “DON’T GO IT ALONE – Get others to pray your arms up in the battle.”

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  3. I’m your neighbour today at Coffee for your heart and I’m amazed how similar our posts are. I like your list of common ways the enemy attacks and the call to stand together to fight him.

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  4. Tweeted this. As a veteran and now Army wife, I totally get your analogy here! What struck me was you listed complacency…. this is right in line with some things I’ve been studying and mulling in my brain lately! Thanks for providing another piece of the puzzle for me! Blessings!

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  6. Yes, discontentment steals joy, peace. Fighting it also. I want to be content for the rest of the year.

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  7. Tweeted and taken to heart. I have been thinking about the OT story in which the people of Israel save their own lives by looking at the metal snake on the pole. Ironic that they were saved when they LOOKED AT the very thing that was killing them. Sometimes we have to take our tiny, precious faces between our own two hands and force ourselves to look at the thing that’s killing us, to call it by name as you have in your list of enemies, and then to forsake it.
    Sue, thanks for shooting straight, here!

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  8. Hi Susan,
    Your thoughtful words speak a great deal of truth! It’s a hard strategy in the moment of discouragement or remorse to stand in faith and say the words that beats those enemies of our souls, but that’s the only path to overcoming them, isn’t it? Standing with you on those truths today! xo

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  9. That list of what we need to look out for is right on. Think I’m going to copy it and put it on the fridge where I seem to spend quite a bit of time preparing meals, cleaning the kitchen up after meals, etc.

    One other thing. TRUTH. It’s always been difficult for me to speak the TRUTH due to fear and not being sure of that which I speak. I am and have been for a long time a coward. For fear of losing friends, I keep much to myself. I also know that while I am saying what I think, it comes out of my mouth not kindly but harsh. Yesterday I skirted an issue so as not to offend, or, what I thought might offend. We should be thoughtful about our words. But we also need to understand the difference in speaking Truth and being mean-spirited just because. That’s an on-going lesson for me. May have to graduate to heaven before it’s fully learned. There, I won’t need it. Confession is good for the soul.

    Read this morning that men from the tribe of Dan went to “Bethel to inquire of God.” He told them what to do. LORD, you know every situation spoken or unspoken in these remarks from women all over America and other places. Direct us today to what you would have us say and do. You are God Almighty. Help us inquire, listen and be obedient.

    Reply

    • Therein lies the dependency on Holy Spirit – and He is sufficient. Speaking Truth with temperance and love.

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  10. So good, my friend! I’m so glad He speaks to us… reveals truth to us… and leads us to ask the questions that uncover the enemy and arms us with the weapons to kick him out! xoxo

    (Sharing on facebook!)

    Reply

  11. Oh this is so good and true. Where does “hard-hearted” fit in that list? Pride? …. yep. That’s where my convictions have been running lately. Thanks for these encouraging words this morning. I shared over at Google+, and I emailed a copy to a dear friend. I wanted to repost it on my brand new Instagram acct, but couldn’t figure that out yet! Someday. 🙂

    Reply

    • Bettie! I’m going to FB a reply about IG. Don’t fret. THANKS FOR READING. Have you ever noted that stinking I in the middle of PR-DE?????????????????????????????????

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  12. Let’s kick the enemy out indeed! Let’s speak the truth in love always!
    Grea post friend. I retweeted on Twitter.

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  13. And to think that while sweeping up some dust bunnies God gave you these incredible insights, Susan! 😉 Thanks for sharing in your ever-so-creative way!

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  15. This is awesome and well-timed. I’ve been studying this subject for about the last year and have begun to do a little blogging about it! Thanks for sharing. I’ll be sharing your post on my FB page- both personal and blog FB page! 🙂

    Reply

  16. My REAL comment:

    This was a GREAT post! Thank you for writing it! What an important reminder to identify the enemy—what specific way does Satan try to slither into our souls? Also, it is so key to remember that we can’t fight him alone … We need the Lord and one another! Thanks again, Susan, for your wise words inspired by the Holy Spirit!

    Reply

  18. Identifying the enemy is so important; and recognizing that God is bigger is, too. My grandson was asking me about God the other day; he is 7. I told him that God was bigger than from the earth to the farthest star. His eyes got wide, and he exclaimed, “He’s THAT BIG?!!” So cute. 🙂
    But I’m so glad that we have a HUGE, strong God who can kick the evil one out and who gives us the authority in the name of Jesus to be His agents to bind those evil spirits, in Jesus’ name, and send them packing by the mighty hand of our God.

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  19. A very good read n I have gone over it a few times. Yes, we are fighting the enemy more n more theses days and need to have our armour out n ready to fight back. We must not let Satan win this battle with our minds and hearts. We can overcome this evil world one soul at a time.

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  20. Susan – – I am so sorry, it has taken me almost a whole week to stop by and comment from #TuneInThursday linkup last week. I was away at a Conference since last week and the wifi was practically non-existent.

    Hahaha – love this whole post – every single thing about it. I especially loved your title – Wowza – such a great question and YES – putting on the armor does help every single time. Oh and AMEN! We need each other – I got your back my friend, that’s what this thing called life is all about. xoxo

    Again thank you for linking up last week, and I hope to see you tomorrow at #TuneInThursday

    Reply

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