Enemy Territory 

“He’ll take a knife to you, my boy.”¹ 

Wilbur dwells in enemy territory as do we. The farmers seemed so kind in feeding Wilbur, but they plotted to turn him into pork chops. Whispers of Hansel and Gretel! Satan’s ministers may appear as benefactors or “angel[s] of light” (2 Cor. 11:14), but the enemy and his demons, seeking vengeance on the Creator, intend to kill, steal from, and destroy God’s people. The devil is a real and evil being who denies the authority of God and plots with cold calculation the confusion and obliteration of positive personal identity and the ability to build community. 

The apostle Paul explains we are in spiritual warfare. We don’t struggle against flesh and blood, but against principalities—the malevolent spiritual rulers and powers that wreak havoc and destruction on the earth. To deal effectively with the enemy and his minions, Peter warns that we should “be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world (1 Peter 5:8–9). 

Jesus came to destroy the works of darkness, and through Him, the enemy has already been defeated (see 1 John 3:8). Although a wily murderer, he has been unseated and has no authority over the believer. Ask God to rebuke him in the name of Jesus. He’s a toothless old lion roaring at you with the aim of making you run the other way toward the “young lions” who devour you. But Satan is not our focus. God is our center, and we can keep our eyes on Him through praise, thanksgiving, fellowship, reading the Scriptures, community worship, prayer and fasting. 

Prayer: Lord, rebuke the devil in whatever way he is trying to devour me or my family. In the powerful name of Jesus, enable me to resist him so he will flee from me (see James 4:7).