Satan will resist every true worshiper who draws near to God. “Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him” (Zechariah 3:1, NKJV).
James instructed believers, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God…” (James 4:7-8). James presupposed that when you draw near to God, you are going to be attacked by the enemy, so he warned, “First, fight Satan; put up all your resistance because when you worship with all your mind and soul, he will oppose and distract you!”
Satan’s chief work is to hinder prayer and corrupt pure worship, especially in those who are serious about following Jesus.
Whenever the Holy Spirit moves in Times Square Church, when all minds are focused on the Lord and he is receiving pure worship, Satan uses everything in his power to try to disrupt it. One time a man got up in the middle of our service, went outside, picked up a garbage can and smashed it into a car window. After that, he calmly walked back into church and sat down. The police had to come into the congregation and take the man out.
These distractions happen all the time. Demon-possessed street people take a seat and fall asleep. As our worship begins and the Lord begins to receive our praises, though, the devil awakens these people, and they begin to make a scene.
Satan will do anything to disrupt worship because he fears it! He will shoot subtle darts into your mind about all kinds of unfinished business, replaying every problem, every worry, every failure of the past week.
Satan wants you to be a despairing, defeated believer, so wrapped up in your problems, so distracted by the cares of life, that you cannot worship God with all your heart and mind. Are you repentant and full of godly sorrow? Have you run to Jesus for cleansing? If so, then resist the devil’s lies. Lift your hands and worship your Savior!