Does Satan attack everyone equally? Well, why would Satan waste his limited time and effort on men and women who are already discouraged and defeated by sin? Exactly. He wouldn’t, for often in those cases, he has already won. Even if Satan can’t get a believer to openly reject God, he is content with lukewarmity, for it is here that men and women set aside their love and passion for God and grow increasingly content with the world. Well then, who does Satan set his crosshairs on? The answer then seems quite clear. Satan is most intent on destroying those who through Christ are working the greatest damage against him—men and women who are living radical lives for God. As William Gurnall said, "It is the image of God reflected in you that so enrages hell; it is this at which the demons hurl their mightiest weapons."
Spiritual warfare does exist. As soldiers for Christ, however, we do not flail wildly at an enemy we cannot see and cannot understand. We have been equipped with the full armor of God. Ephesians 6: 13-18 paints a beautiful picture of the Christian warrior: “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.”
When God commanded us to stand firm in Him, He did not leave us to fend for ourselves. No, we see here that God graciously equipped us for everything we need for battle. Why is the believer called to be alert, however? Is it not enough that we have all of God’s weapons at our fingertips? As believers, we are warned to remain alert because we are so easily taken captive by the lies of this world. Yes, we have all the weapons we need for battle, but if we are not purposeful in putting them to use, we are simply like the girl playing dress-up in her grandmother’s attic—nothing fits, and though the priceless antiques give the appearance of age and maturity, they are nothing more than cheap playthings in the hands of this small child. The young child cannot appreciate the true value of the dresses, the strings of pearls and the heels, and so she plays about carelessly, unaware of the worth of these treasures. We have been granted all we need to withstand the evil one, yet we must not become like the child who cannot appreciate the value of what she has been given. For example, I know that the Word of God is sharper than any double-edged sword (Hebrew 4:12). If, however, I am not diligent about spending time in the Word, pouring myself into it and seeking to be strengthened by it, there will come a time when I have fallen dull and weary. It is here then that I am most vulnerable to Satan’s attacks, for apart from God’s Word seared into my heart as my source of Truth, I am easily deceived.
And so, what does all of this mean for me then? If I am living a life of sin and compromise, I know that I am less likely to encounter Satan’s attacks. If I am purposefully living a life that honors Christ and impacts others, however, I can be sure that attacks will come. However, I need not cower in fear, for in Christ I may stand tall and firm, confident that I have all the protection and weaponry I need to counter the attacks of the evil one.
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