Courage to Face the Enemy

Jesus once said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

You and I also face a thief today — one who has come to steal our future, our families, our joy, our hope, and our effectiveness on the earth. However, Jesus reminds us that he has made a way for us to have an abundant life. And so we must understand that we have the power to overtake the enemy.

The devil will try to convince you that victory is just out of reach. However, he is a liar! God has called, as well as equipped you, to overpower the devil. David the psalmist said it this way: “For by You I can run against a troop. By my God I can leap over a wall … for You have armed me with strength for the battle” (Psalm 18:29, 39).

Paul instructs us in the book of Ephesians: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:10-11). In other words, “Have strength in your inward parts. Walk in right relationship with God.” I urge you to know your Bible, for it is your weaponry!

You are not facing the enemy alone. Ask the Lord to give you a vision of who you truly are in Christ, a vision of why “even the demons believe—and tremble” (James 2:19). The prophet Elisha once prayed something similar in order to encourage his fearful servant. “‘Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’

Do not tremble when you face the enemy! You have the weaponry of Christ, the fellowship of brothers and sisters who are there to help, and Jesus, the great General. You are never alone!

_{Carter Conlon joined the pastoral staff of Times Square Church in 1994 at the invitation of the founding pastor, David Wilkerson, and was appointed Senior Pastor in 2001.}