Recently, I’ve noticed an increase in attempted logins on my website from countries all over the world. My initial response is, “Why would anyone want to attack and get into MY website? I’m not a big corporation or banking enterprise. I don’t have people’s personal information and passwords, and I don’t have any national security secrets. Why me?”
Thankfully, I have programs and plugins that monitor these attacks and block them. But, I’m continually looking for additional tools to help protect my website. I realize how important it is to be protected.
This morning, as I looked at the number of hacker attempts in the previous hour, God reminded me of the spiritual attacks we are under every day. Are we using and applying the protection that God provides for us?
Paul exhorted the Ephesians in Ephesians 6:11 to “put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” He described the spiritual attacks as “the flaming arrows of the evil one” in verse 16.
Those attacks can take the form of thoughts like:
It’s okay to do that. God wants you to enjoy these pleasures.
God can’t forgive you after what you’ve done.
You’re a nobody. You’re a failure. Give up.
God doesn’t love you. If He did, He would have given you ________.
Give into that temptation. No one will ever know.
The Bible isn’t relevant today. It’s outdated in today’s culture.
Just as I make every effort to protect my website from the attacks of random hackers, I need to be even more intentional about protecting myself from Satan’s attacks.
Paul listed all the parts of the armor that are available to us to fight these attacks – truth, righteousness, the Gospel, the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.
And then he adds in verse 18, “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints…”
If we are going to fight the spiritual attacks from the enemy, we have to be in His Word in order to discern truth from lies. We need to be in prayer and draw from His strength, not our own.
I have confidence in my programs and plugins to protect my website from these constant attacks, but I have even more confidence in my God to protect me from the attacks of the evil one. The protection is available, but I have to apply it.
I’d love to hear from you. What verses from God’s Word have you used to fight off Satan’s attacks?
Something I have learned is the devil is waiting for us to let our guard down. He waits for us to get too tired to put on our armor, get distracted and side-tracked, get on our pity pots, etc. But you know what? He doesn’t let up, and neither should we. We are at war. Every single day until we see Jesus face to face or until he returns. What soldier would go into battle without his equipment (armor)? Here’s a few verses that help me remember to keep my armor on.
When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came. Luke 4:13
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8
Great verses, Beckie! And well said – the enemy doesn’t let up, and he’s waiting for us to let our guard down. Thank you for sharing!
In my devotional book today, Proverbs 4:3 was the focus: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (NIV). This verse reminds us that God treasures our hearts and wants us to protect it from the enemy and the evil influences the world is constantly distracting us with. I agree with Becky in that to guard our hearts well we must stay alert to the enemy’s presence and schemes. 1 Peter 5:8 Thank you, Crickett, for this great analogy and reminder. Blessings!
Proverbs 4:3 is a great verse, Melanie! And you’re right, we have to guard our hearts and not become complacent. Thank you for sharing, Melanie!
Crickett, I read your post and donned my armor. I spiritually feel protected when I do. The armor is Christ. I just wrote an entire chapter in my book about this and I still forgot to put it on. Thank you for the reminder.
Cherrilynn, thanks for sharing! We all need reminders, don’t we? I sure do.