Know Your Enemy

As Christians, we often drift away from the freedom in God's glorious grace into a legalistic, performance-oriented faith primarily for two reasons:

1. Either because we want to learn and gain religious knowledge and holy behavior in order to reach some goal or to be viewed well by others – which is pride.

2. Or, we work harder at being better Christians because we are constantly being reminded of our sin and failure by “the accuser of the brethren”… who accuses them before our God day and night (Rev. 12:10) – which is defeat.

So, whether by through pride or defeat; by building us up or by beating us down; Satan is constantly tempting God's children to some form of legalism.

It was Karl Barth who said, “The devil may also make use of morality.”

Satan is not only an accuser of the brethren, he is a murderer and a liar. He would rob you of your freedom in Christ in a heartbeat if you allow him.

There is a war over souls going on. There is a continual battle for ownership of your soul as long as you exist on this fallen planet.

Suffer hardship with {me,} as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 2 Tim 2:3-4

The war is spiritual and so our weapons unconventional. We must be careful.

Thomas Brooks warns, “Satan, who acts by an untiring power, and who will never let the saints rest till they are taken up to an everlasting rest in the bosom of Christ, is so powerful and subtle that he will often make the greatest and dearest mercies to become our greatest snares.”

We must not grow weary in well doing. John Livingstone tells us, “Satan strikes either at the root of faith or at the root of diligence.” Either through severe doubt or weariness.