Articles
How Satan Attacks the Church
“How Satan Attacks the Church”
In 2 Corinthians 2:11, we read “lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.”
When Christians fail to do the Lord’s will, they become vulnerable to Satan’s many schemes and devices. Our adversary knows that a direct attack on the church usually fails. Therefore, he works to sidetrack and destroy the church and its members from within. Here are some ways in which the church can be vulnerable to Satan:
1. When the church becomes polluted with worldliness. Romans 12:2 states, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
2. When the members are too busy with other things than HIS. Matthew 6:33 states, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
3. When the church seeks to attract people with “glitter” rather than the Gospel. Romans 1:16 states, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”
4. When “thus says the Lord” is considered outdated and narrow minded. Luke 4:4 states, “But man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.”
5. When members argue, fight, and splinter over whose way prevails. Galatians 5:14-15 states, “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another.”
6. When members no longer have the spirit and attitude of Christ. Galatians 5:16 states. “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
Paul writes to the Ephesians and tells them in chapter 6 to, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” In order to know about the schemes and devices of the adversary, one needs to study the scriptures to learn what God says about the evil one and those who follow after him.
Submitted by Larry Schneider
