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Do people and circumstances wear you out?
“You wonder why it’s so hard to find some peace of mind? Well, peace is hard to come by when you live in a war zone. And like it or not, you are in a war — a very serious one. This war is cosmic in its proportions. It involves God, humans, angels, demons, principalities, powers, nations, and antichrists.” ~John Piper
While it would be an over-estimation of Satan’s power to suppose that he can interact directly with us in a physical sense, an equal and opposite error would be to suppose that he does not have access to our minds. (1)
The front lines of the battle for the enemy of our souls is in our head. This is where he loves to torment us. He will wear you out with thoughts of fear, confusion, comparison, jealousy, guilt, doubt, anger, rejection, self-pity, despair, distrust, despondency, and even hopelessness. If we are unaware of Satan’s strategies and do not resist them, they will become magnified in our minds and he wins.
Don’t Let Them Wear You Out
Hank Hanegraaff clarifies, “It is crucial to note that if we open the door to Satan by failing to put on the full armor of God, he does, as it were, sit on our shoulders and whisper into our ears.
The whisper cannot be discerned with the physical ear; it can, however, penetrate ‘the ear’ of the mind.
We cannot explain how such communication takes place any more than we can explain how our immaterial minds can cause the physical synapses of the brain to fire; but that such mind-to-mind communication takes place is indisputable. If it were not so, the Devil could not have tempted Judas to betray his Master, seduced Ananias and Sapphira to deceive Peter, or incited David to take a census.”
In a warning in the book of Daniel (7:25), it speaks about the coming antichrist (1 John 4:3 tells us this same spirit is already in the world – right now). It says: “He shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High.” The words “wear out” means “to afflict and handle roughly“ and are used in a mental sense. If you are in confusion and overwhelmed in your mind, you can’t function normally, emotionally or physically. This is Satan’s strategy -to wear us out in our minds with unbelieving and deceiving thoughts.
We Destroy Arguments
What are the satanic strongholds that we seek to destroy? Spoken arguments and opinions that are not in line with God. Where is the battle raging? Where our thoughts are.
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every lofty opinion that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we TAKE CAPTIVE EVERY THOUGHT and make it obedient to Christ” ~2 Cor. 10:4–5
Arguments and opinions are not simply prisons, they are weapons of tumultuous mass-destruction. Adam and Eve (and all of us with them) fell because of a well-articulated argument. They believed the serpent’s argument and stopped believing God. To not believe God is to ally with Satan. You don’t want Satan as an ally. He is the father of lies.
Watch Your Emotions
Therefore, you must be on the alert. You can’t stop the confusing thoughts coming to your mind, but you don’t have to receive or believe them! Don’t let the enemy wear you out!
You don’t have to dwell on these deceiving thoughts for one minute! Before they get a foothold, resist them in the name of Jesus. They don’t belong in your redeemed mind. We have to get rid of any thoughts in our minds that hinder us from walking in the victory which Jesus Christ paid the price on the cross to give us.
Our Victory
John Piper says, The victory that overcomes the world is our faith (1 John 5:4). Satan loves to keep things subtle so he can slip up on us. He does NOT want us to think clearly about sin. But Jesus does. He told us the truth brings freedom:
If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. ~John 8:31–32
So be a freedom fighter and fight with truth against unbelief. Exhort one another every day (Hebrews 3:12-13) to live in the freedom — and peace (John 16:33) — of the truth.
For our most important battles are won and lost with arguments.
May you have a glorious, victorious day triumphing over the wily ways of the devil. You do not have to let him wear you out.
(Excerpt from Where Satan Will Attack You Today, by John Piper) Permissions. By John Piper. © Desiring God Foundation. Source: desiringGod.org
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Thanks for reading!
Jennifer says
This is so good … so timely! Thank you. Fortification for the weary is such a blessing!
Jennifer says
Thank you for posting this! I hope many read it and know the truth 🙂
Stacey says
Great message. I’ve been having to steel myself lately against some thoughts of what is “easier” with all that is going on in our lives. Sometimes it feels like everything is a battle.
Jacqueline says
Stand strong for what you know to be good and right, Stacey. One day you will look back and be so thankful and see how the Lord blessed through His guidance! Love you, Mama 😀
Lori Alexander says
I loved this, Jacqueline. This is why whenever we’re discussing anything with anybody, we need to be using Scripture just as Jesus used Scripture when arguing with Satan since His Word tears down strongholds!
Jacqueline says
Lori, do you ever just write for yourself because you need it so?! In sharing these things on my heart while feeling so weary often myself, I pray it is timely for others! To God be the glory ~ great things He has done! Thank you, friend!
Angie Moore says
Sometimes I think to myself, “Have I ever felt so beat up’? Your article is timely. Just this morning I began reading Francis Frangipane’s book, ‘The Three Battlegrounds”. I have been called to speak, but I am the last person I would want to hear as my words and mind are scrambled more often than not. The Holy Spirit has strongly prompted me to finish my testimony…now. That is my next step and that is all I know. About that time….my life became very busy. I own/operate a business and it too is wearing me out. Exhausted at night…and so busy during the days. I am grouchy, ungrateful and now short with my husband. I am so tired. Lord Jesus, You are my life. Create in me and clean heart and lead me in the way everlasting. Thank you J, for hearing me out this evening. Angie.
Jacqueline says
Oh, dear Angie! I think you need a good long soak in a hot tub, a deep back massage with oils, and a few good nights of 10 hours of sleep for starters 🙂 ~ One thing I am doing to stay in the Word is to listen to the Bible on my iPod while doing morning laundry and cooking. I am praying for you dear sister! Do not give up hope and soak up verses like Matthew 11: 28-30: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” I actually had it made into vinyl lettering and put it on the wall where I see it often. I cry out to the Lord for all of us women who wrestle with this and trust He is sufficient for the day. He is more than able and His strong arm is mighty to save! I love this verse, too: “Do not be afraid, O Zion; Do not let your hands fall limp. 17″The LORD your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” Zephaniah 3:16-17 Sending (((hugs))) from IN!
God bless you, dear Angie! Praying now!
Angie Moore says
You’ve made me smile big! Thank you sister for the encouragement and scripture. And especially, your prayers. Learning to live in the embrace of His overwhelming mercy and grace and love.
Jacqueline says
Yay!! Angie, you are LOVED!! He will NEVER leave you or forsake you. Stand firm, sweet friend xoxo
Joy says
What a great encouragement this is! Thank you so much for sharing!
shirley says
This is so timely. We all need this reminder often as warfare intensifies and lies and deception run rampant. Thank you.
Shirley in Virginia
Jacqueline says
Aww…God bless you, Shirley. Love to you and thank you, Lord!
Dawn E. Brown says
Thank you Jacqueline for this great message. You are right on target.The Prince of the air wants to wear us down in all of our busyness.We so need to fill our minds and hearts first with The Word of God. I try to get a visual of how angry Satan must be everytime I reach for my Bible,open it and meditate on Gods precious promises.Satan is no match for the Christian drenched in Scripture. Bless you for this reminder of the battle that is raging for the truth and for the right.Dawn E. Brown
Jacqueline says
Awww..thank you for the encouragement, Dawn. It is good to ‘see’ you here 🙂 I’m going to turn on my iPod and listen to the Psalms right now as I prepared dinner!! Love you and God’s blessings to you, friend!
Charlotte Moore says
AMEN!!!!
chipmunk says
Thank you for this. Just last week I told my husband that I think I’m so exhausted when I come home from work every day because I’m doing battle all day. I have begun to pray on the way to work that the Spirit would help me put on the armor of God and follow Him into battle. It is such an encouragement to have you confirm that perspective!
Jacqueline says
Praise God that He has lead you to prayerful worship and biblical prep for your daily battle! The Holy Spirit will give you strength and wisdom to navigate the challenges that inevitably come. I am praying for you now, friend.
Julie Bagamary says
Good post. Truth.
Laurie Collett says
Great post! May we submit to the Spirit and resist the devil, putting on the whole armor of God! Linked up with you at Sunday Stillness — hope you’ll stop by Saved by Grace for a visit!
God bless,
Laurie