Overcoming a persistent enemy is not easy, and perhaps you are fighting a tenacious enemy right now. Our enemy, satan, will use his minions to wear us down so he can move forward with his agenda. With the Lord’s help we can recognize this tactic and be an overcomer. We, too, can be persistent in relying on the Lord to defeat this tactic!
Nehemiah Had Persistent Enemies
The Lord placed on Nehemiah’s heart to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. From the very beginning of this project enemies of God’s people looked to stop what He wanted to accomplish. Although the wall was up the gates had not been put in place and once again Nehemiah’s enemies attacked him.
Nehemiah 6: 2 So Sanballat and Geshem sent a message asking me to meet them at one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But I realized they were plotting to harm me, 3 so I replied by sending this message to them: “I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?” 4 Four times they sent the same message, and each time I gave the same reply.[1]
Overcoming a Persistent Enemy by Relying on the Lord
We are in a spiritual battle and one of the arrows the enemy throws at us is persistence. Just as the enemy is persistent, we can also fight back by being persistent. We can persistently spend time with the Lord in prayer, worship, and in His word. His word gives us strength, courage, and insight that we don’t have on our own. As we grow in our relationship with the Lord, we are better able to discern His voice and recognize the traps of the enemy. This is what Nehemiah was able to do.
Gather Other Believers Together to Help You Overcome
When we are in a spiritual battle gathering as a group of believers to pray and worship gives us strength in the battle. When we gather, we are no longer isolated, and Jesus is in our midst. Galatians 6:2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. [2]
The enemy loves to use persistent sin in our lives to wear us down. Many times, we are unable to overcome this sin on our own and need the help of others. Confession brings this sin into the open so others can pray for us and break off the attacks the enemy uses against us. James 5:16Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. [3]
To hear more about overcoming a persistent enemy, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/rebuilding-unfinished-hope-personal-attacks
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.