The challenges we face are commonly packaged in circumstances like difference of opinion, financial pressures, people conflicts, and strategic challenges. They are all very real.
Yet, scripture reminds us there is something else in play. There is something larger, more powerful and unseen in motion.
It’s a spiritual battle that plays itself out in the natural realm.
“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.”
Ephesians 6:12
If you are a leader in the church, you have a role in the battle between the forces of good and evil.
We know this is true and all too real, but are there practical ways to help us to take a stand?
Yes.
One of the best ways to defeat the enemy, rather than be defeated, is to know his tactics.
If you know what the deceiver is up to, you can be on guard.
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
I Peter 5:8
There is no need to be paranoid or fearful, but instead possess a quiet confidence knowing that “. . . the one who is within you is
I John 4:4
greater than the one who is in the world.”
The Enemy’s Top Five Schemes
When you know where the land mine is, you can avoid stepping on it.
1) The enemy prevents unity, by creating division.
The accuser us loves it when churches split, staff teams compete, and we don’t get along with or refuse to love those who differ from us. When this happens, we are doing his work.
Division is the quiet killer of the church. It’s birthed behind closed doors, and when it gets out, it’s a monster.
Unity isn’t a static concept. When you have it, it’s not guaranteed forever. There is good news. If unity falters you can rebuild it, but it requires consistent effort.
Like even in a loving marriage, unity is not automatically until death do us part. It requires intentional effort. And it only works if you honor the other above yourself.
Unity is a form of spiritual alignment that requires intentional leadership.
Similar to how vision leaks, unity can slip through your fingers.
- Pressure stresses unity.
- Immaturity challenges unity.
- Competition threatens unity.
- Pride and envy destroy unity.
We can tell ourselves division stems from a noble stance based on principled conviction, but very often the real source is a relational conflict of some kind where we don’t get what we want. (Things don’t go our way.)
This leads to behaviors like gossip, taking sides, protecting territory and assuming the worst. Ultimately, the everyone loses.
Put your whole heart toward unity in the spirit, culture, and vision of the church.
2) The enemy prevents joy by causing discouragement.
I’ve seen discouragement take out more church leaders than anything else, especially if it’s prolonged.
The evil one loves to steal your joy by relentlessly attempting to discourage you.
You are most susceptible to discouragement when your perspective is off-center.
When you think things like you are alone, no one cares, and nothing is working, you do not see life clearly.
Essentially, the Enemy’s tactic is to get you distracted by lies, then to focus on them and eventually to believe the lies. And these lies are deeply discouraging.
Yes, we must be honest about the reality of our ministry, and sometimes it’s tough. But there is always something good to be grateful for.
Look for the good God is doing. This will encouragement you to work in the areas that need improvement.
Get some time with a trusted friend to help you see more clearly. Take some time to talk about it so you don’t carry it alone. Seek their wisdom on how to rise above the discouragement and find joy.
3) The enemy prevents peace, (and closeness with God), by busyness.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
The peace of God is a great and beautiful gift; and clearly, the enemy doesn’t want you to have it.
And what better scheme to steal it from you than while you work in ministry.
Don’t let ministry busyness crowd out your time with God, your family, and some fun along the way. Slow down for your most important relationships.
Remain focused and purposeful. Learn to say no at the right times. Intentionally create margin to accomplish your most important leadership responsibilities.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.“
Philippians 4:6-7
4) The enemy prevents commitment by encouraging complacency.
The enduring pressures of ministry leadership may tempt you to throw in the towel. Thoughts come into your mind like: “This isn’t worth it.” Yet you rethink the idea of quitting and perhaps replace it with quiet quitting. You show up but only do enough to get by.
Complacency leads us to take the easier road. It changes us inside from “God deserves my best” to “This is good enough.”
That’s what the enemy wants. He knows you probably won’t quit, so he’s happy to have you let up on your fierce commitment to your calling.
The message here is not to overwork, but to keep your heart hot for God, and pursue Him first. Your intimacy with God is the fuel that inspires your commitment to your calling and the mission.
Reflect on this question: Why are you in ministry?
Remember your calling.
5) The enemy prevents humility by promoting self-sufficiency.
It’s not likely that unbridled pride will be your downfall. You can see that coming, but pride can be sneaky and tempting.
The tempter knows that pride comes before a fall and remember he’s a schemer. The temptation to succumb to pride is more subtle than dramatic, even masked as something positive in nature.
For example, it can creep up in the form of “I can do it.” But not the healthy version that believes “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” But an unwise independence that thinks you can do it yourself.
Things aren’t working so you work harder instead of leaning more on God. I’ve been guilty of that. Have you? God wants us to do our part, but we must let Him do His.
Self-sufficiency is a devious scheme of the enemy. We don’t really believe we can lead without God’s help, but we often behave as we do.
Which one of the above 5 is most likely to get the best of you?
Three Action Steps:
(A simple, but not so easy, plan of engagement.)
1) Don’t be caught off guard, put on your spiritual armor.
We can see that as spiritual leaders our role is not passive. We are called to take action in the spiritual battle.
“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
Ephesians 6:11
2) Part of this battle is fought on your knees.
Paul closes this passage by reminding us to “. . .pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests!” Eph. 6:18
Prayer is the most powerful force in the world.
3) Trust God. He is with you and none of your battles catch Him by surprise.
In terms of the spiritual battle, we’re going to win, but we still must engage the battle.
There will be times when it doesn’t seem like you are winning at all, and progress is hard to come by. Or you may be losing ground.
This is when the enemy kicks into overdrive with the five tactics.
Take heart, stay in the battle, don’t quit. What you’re doing matters.
Put on the armor, pray, and keep leading forward.
God is with you.
Perfect timing!
Dan such powerful words in tough times!! I’m grateful for your strength, wisdom and faithfulness to the kingdom always!! This was timely and what I needed!! I will definitely pass this on, many need to hear and live this out!! Standing strong by His power my brother 🙏🏼 Thank you Dan!!
Always on point friend, and the timing is perfect for myself or someone know!
Over the years I have had to deal with a narcissist and some who had narcissistic tendencies. I never realized how troubling they could be to a church. Covert narcissists cause trouble and often people don’t see what is happening because it is not happening to them and therefore they don’t hear the lies and manipulation. People need to be aware of 2 Timothy 3:2-5 and how to deal with people like that. When I began to study narcissism I was shocked by how I had ignored the problem and how to deal with it. I know one that I came to the conclusion that I have never seen the Holy Spirit work in the person. After meeting with some others they experienced the same thing with that person.
This is so good. Just shared with my discipleship group of young men. I would one item to the Action Steps: Don’t fight the battle alone. What I see so often is that these 5 schemes result in isolation. If the enemy can use one or more of these (or similar schemes) to isolate a believer from others, he can get a foothold. It is so important for us as leaders and for those we are leading to have a group where we build each other up and encourage one another in Christ.
Thanks. This is really good.
Hey Dan,
Pastor here who just came thru a ruff post Sunday social media morning. Nothing horrendous just tuff. Your words were such an encouragement to me this morning. Just wanted to say thank you— it’s like you wrote this just for me :).