Read Ephesians 6:10-17

After 30+ years of serving Jesus in the local church, I have come to expect spiritual opposition any time God does a powerful work in the church. I have come to describe this as “punch” “counterpunch.” If we can clearly see God moving in an area of the church, we should expect an attack from Satan to distract and detract from that excitement and passion. Spiritual opposition is a daily reality, and we would be foolish to discount the role of Satan in thwarting God’s work.

Paul understood this reality when he wrote to the church at Ephesus…

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:12-13 NIV

Notice that Paul doesn’t instruct these believers to take up arms and go on the war path against the forces of evil. Instead, he instructs them to take a defensive position, being protected by the full armor of God, standing firm in their faith. Fully dressed with the armor of God, we are only able to take a stand against Satan and his demons, not go on the offensive. We should take this as a warning concerning the power of these “spiritual forces of evil”. We stand strong in our faith while God does the fighting for us.

In the face of opposition, the actions of Nehemiah remind us that “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world”. (1 John 4:4 NIV) Nehemiah wisely chose to allow God to fight for him and the workers rather than take matters into his own hands. As a result, the workers stayed focused and continued to work “with all their heart”.

Questions to consider:

Why do you think Satan works hard to oppose any great work of God?
How often do you think about Satan working against your church and your faith?
How does Nehemiah inspire you to respond to opposition in the future?