The persistent ramblings of a power-stripped enemy
In his sci-fi book, “Perelandra”, C.S. Lewis portrays the devil as a dead-stare constantly talking man whose arsenal of weapons is his multiplication of words. His tactic is to talk lies from various angles until they seem true; to use different words to say the same untruth until it rings true. It’s an accurate depiction of the schemes of the enemy of our souls and his team of fallen angels.
The truth is, though, God has you on a mission and the enemy will try to stop you from fulfilling that mission by “talking you to death”. And sometimes, like background voices that we stop realizing are there, his constant murmur quietly settles into our environment. But we are not alone in this struggle.
Nehemiah faced a similar struggle in his effort to rebuild the fallen city of Jerusalem, and he took the right tact in dealing with it.
In his sci-fi book, “Perelandra”, C.S. Lewis portrays the devil as a dead-stare constantly talking man whose arsenal of weapons is his multiplication of words. His tactic is to talk lies from various angles until they seem true; to use different words to say the same untruth until it rings true. It’s an accurate depiction of the schemes of the enemy of our souls and his team of fallen angels.
The truth is, though, God has you on a mission and the enemy will try to stop you from fulfilling that mission by “talking you to death”. And sometimes, like background voices that we stop realizing are there, his constant murmur quietly settles into our environment. But we are not alone in this struggle.
Nehemiah faced a similar struggle in his effort to rebuild the fallen city of Jerusalem, and he took the right tact in dealing with it.
Nehemiah knew the enemy and knew his goal.
Critique, unreasonable expectations, tearing down confidence and raising doubt. These are just some of the methods the enemy of your soul uses with his words. As on enemy Tobiah said, “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!”
Nehemiah refused to engage.
The worst thing you can do is to answer the enemy’s invitation to engage in conversation. When that doorbell rings, pull the shades down and lock the door. Sanballat, who was opposing Nehemiah’s work, invited Nehemiah to come and meet with him. Not just one time, but five times. And so your enemy, in his wicked persistence, will try to do with you.
“Hear me out,” he’ll say. “You really should consider this.” But this ploy is an old one and hasn’t changed in thousands of years.
Nehemiah battled accusations with the truth.
A refusal to engage doesn’t always make the enemy close his vile lips. In fact, with Nehemiah, it brought on accusation and words meant to grow fear in Nehemiah’s heart. But Nehemiah responded wisely, clearly, and boldly,
“Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.” (Nehemiah 6:8)
Nehemiah took his stand.
We would do well to confront the enemy with the following words of Nehemiah, “The God of heaven will help us succeed. We, his servants, will start rebuilding this wall. But you have no share, legal right, or historic claim in Jerusalem.”
No share, no legal right, no historic claim. We’ve been purchased by the sure payment of the blood of Jesus. We are not our own, we are His. God alone has claim, share, and legal right to us, and God alone will cause us to succeed in His work. Remember who you are and what you are doing for Him the next time that comes into question.
And remember your enemy. He is the accuser of the brethren, the trouble causer. He holds on to that old adage in a bad way, if at first you don’t succeed, try try again. I’m not going to candy coat or smooth this over - it is indeed a battle; but we are on the Victor’s side. And just as the tables turned for Esther and the Jews in the time of king Ahasuerus, so the tables turn for the people of God.
I like to remember a promise in scripture given to His children, His servants,
no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD. (Isaiah 54:17)
Scripture References -
Nehemiah 4:1-3
He ridiculed the Jews before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?”
Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!”
Nehemiah 6:5-7
The fifth time, Sanballat sent me this same message by his young servant, who had in his hand an unsealed letter that read:
“It is reported among the nations—and Geshemc agrees—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and this is why you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king, and you have even appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: ‘There is a king in Judah.’ Soon these rumors will reach the ears of the king. So come, let us confer together.”
Job 1:9, Job 2:4, Satan holds on to that old adage, if at first you don’t succeed, try try again.
Esther 9:20-32 - the establishment of Purim.
Critique, unreasonable expectations, tearing down confidence and raising doubt. These are just some of the methods the enemy of your soul uses with his words. As on enemy Tobiah said, “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!”
Nehemiah refused to engage.
The worst thing you can do is to answer the enemy’s invitation to engage in conversation. When that doorbell rings, pull the shades down and lock the door. Sanballat, who was opposing Nehemiah’s work, invited Nehemiah to come and meet with him. Not just one time, but five times. And so your enemy, in his wicked persistence, will try to do with you.
“Hear me out,” he’ll say. “You really should consider this.” But this ploy is an old one and hasn’t changed in thousands of years.
Nehemiah battled accusations with the truth.
A refusal to engage doesn’t always make the enemy close his vile lips. In fact, with Nehemiah, it brought on accusation and words meant to grow fear in Nehemiah’s heart. But Nehemiah responded wisely, clearly, and boldly,
“Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.” (Nehemiah 6:8)
Nehemiah took his stand.
We would do well to confront the enemy with the following words of Nehemiah, “The God of heaven will help us succeed. We, his servants, will start rebuilding this wall. But you have no share, legal right, or historic claim in Jerusalem.”
No share, no legal right, no historic claim. We’ve been purchased by the sure payment of the blood of Jesus. We are not our own, we are His. God alone has claim, share, and legal right to us, and God alone will cause us to succeed in His work. Remember who you are and what you are doing for Him the next time that comes into question.
And remember your enemy. He is the accuser of the brethren, the trouble causer. He holds on to that old adage in a bad way, if at first you don’t succeed, try try again. I’m not going to candy coat or smooth this over - it is indeed a battle; but we are on the Victor’s side. And just as the tables turned for Esther and the Jews in the time of king Ahasuerus, so the tables turn for the people of God.
I like to remember a promise in scripture given to His children, His servants,
no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD. (Isaiah 54:17)
Scripture References -
Nehemiah 4:1-3
He ridiculed the Jews before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?”
Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!”
Nehemiah 6:5-7
The fifth time, Sanballat sent me this same message by his young servant, who had in his hand an unsealed letter that read:
“It is reported among the nations—and Geshemc agrees—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and this is why you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king, and you have even appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: ‘There is a king in Judah.’ Soon these rumors will reach the ears of the king. So come, let us confer together.”
Job 1:9, Job 2:4, Satan holds on to that old adage, if at first you don’t succeed, try try again.
Esther 9:20-32 - the establishment of Purim.
Awesome word. Dont listen to that old liar !
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