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Strategies of How the Enemy Attacks


The Old Testament book of Nehemiah records one of the greatest revivals in history.  It documents the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.  These walls were destroyed when Nebuchadnezzar and his Chaldean Armies attacked and overran the city.  Nehemiah was called and chosen by God to rebuild the walls and to repair the breach that had been torn down by the enemy. 

There was  a remnant who had returned, but they were living in an unprotected city. Like Nehemiah God has chosen us to rebuild the walls that have been torn down through neglect, compromise, and sin within the church.  When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem he was immediately met with opposition.  Nehemiah 2:10 says, “When Sanaballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of it, they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel.” 

When you set out to do God’s will and fulfill the ministry God has assigned you, you should expect the enemy to oppose you. Jesus said in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” As we study through the pages of Nehemiah we learn the different strategies the enemy uses against the people of God:

·      In Nehemiah 2:19-20 the enemy scorned and despised God’s people. Scorn is defined as “the feeling or belief that someone or something is worthless or despicable.”[i]
·      In Nehemiah 4:1-6 the enemy used ridicule and mockery against the people of God.
·      In Nehemiah 4:7-9 the enemy used the threat of attack to discourage and distract God’s people.
·      In Nehemiah 5:1-13 the enemy attacked the finances of God’s people.
·      In Nehemiah 6:1-4 the enemy’s strategy was to get God’s people into compromise.
·      In Nehemiah 6:5-9, Satan used slander, rumors, and lies to oppose the rebuilding efforts.
·      In Nehemiah 6:10-14, false prophecies were given to produce fear and keep God’s people from completing the task of rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.

In Ephesians 6:11 Paul encourages us to “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”  The wiles of the devil are the cunning devices of the devil.  The New Living Translation says, “The strategies of the devil.” 1 Peter 5:8 gives insight in how to understand the strategies the enemy uses against us, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”


[i] Retrieved from the internet, https://www.google.com/search?q=Dictionary, June 10, 2018.

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