Enemy Strategies

1 Samuel 13:17-23

Dr. Ronald D. Harbin, Sr., Pastor

The nation of Israel was unprepared for battle. The only weapons to be found were in the hands of Saul and Jonathan. The rest of the people had farm tools, but no weapons. They were totally unprepared for the battle that was to come upon them. Unprepared for the battle in one sense, but they were forced to rely upon the strength of the Lord. He didn't fail them! He will not fail us!

On December 7, 1941, 190 Japanese warplanes attacked Pearl Harbor. In a matter of minutes nine battleships and twelve other ships were sunk or damaged, 188 aircraft were destroyed, and 2,403 Americans lost their lives.

On September 11, 2001, four airliners in the hands of terrorists attacked our nation. In a matter of minutes the World Trade Center towers were destroyed, the Pentagon attacked, and over 3000 Americans lost their lives.

These two events, although separated by 60 years will always be compared. The reason? The unexpected attack of the enemy, and the unpreparedness of the nation for such a ruthless and cunning attack. Why bring up the past? Why stir up the painful memories of such dark times in our nation's history? Because as Winston Churchill said, "Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

As believers, we have an enemy that is no less ruthless or cunning. Every day, he executes carefully crafted plans aimed at our destruction. Throughout the centuries, he has launched countless attacks aimed at crippling the effectiveness of believers and destroying local churches. 2 Corinthians 2:11 states, "We are not ignorant of his devices." This morning, I want us to see four strategies that Satan employs in his attack against Christians. He seeks to…

Disarm us - to strip us of our power. Distract us - to lead us from our purpose. Disable us - to impair our productivity. Destroy us - to completely neutralize our potential.

I. To Disarm us: and strip us of our power

A. Illustrated by our text.

1. Saul is in his second year as king over Israel. The Philistines were camped just four miles from Saul's capital in Gibeah.  According to verse 5, their army included 30,000 chariots, 6000 mounted cavalry, and a large host of infantry. Saul had only been able to gather together 3000 men, and when they began counting tents in the Philistine camp, over two-thirds of Saul's force deserted. Saul was vastly outnumbered, and the army was also absurdly outgunned. In the entire Israeli Army there were only two swords - one each for Saul and Jonathon.

The remainder of the army was armed with clubs and farming tools. The reason for this, we are told, is that the Philistines had disarmed the people of God. They had stripped the land of Israel of her weapons and denied her an effective fighting force.

B. Satanic strategy against us.

1. He seeks to disarm us.

2. He has nullified the message of the Gospel.

Ro 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

a. Whether O.T. or N.T. the requirement for salvation is the same - simple faith in God.

b. When we replace the element of believing with any other condition or combination, our witness becomes powerless.

C. Today, there is much confusion over salvation.

1. That isn't a coincidence; it is one of the enemy's devices.

2. If the Gospel is diluted, it loses its power.

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

3. Note the last phrase of that verse…Jesus said there was no other way to come to the Father!

4. Narrow minded view…yes, but it is biblical!

5. Satan would like us all to think that there are many paths that a person can take to reach eternal life.

6. The more paths, the more likely it is that a person chooses the wrong one!

II. To Distract us: away from our real purpose

A. He has distracted many from the true purpose of church. Ephesians 4:11-16

1. The purpose of church ministry is:

a. To mature the saints, b. Mobilize them in service , c. So that the we can multiply our outreach

2. Through the teaching of the Word of God, we can:

a. Help people solve their problems, b. Help families build stronger homes, c. Confront the problems of society

3. Through our church we can build strong relationships and join in our worship of God.

4. These things are important, but they are not the primary purpose of the church.

B. If the enemy is successful in distracting us from our real purpose…he has won!

1. Many churches have lost their evangelistic outreach. 2. Many are in a maintenance mode.

3. They are inward in their focus…instead of outward!

III. To Disable us - to impair our productivity

A. He seeks to trip us up.

1. Today, we are very familiar with the subject of disabilities.

2. We understand that different things, such as accidents or crippling diseases, may cause a person to be disabled.

3. Often we have no control over these things.

4. But our enemy Satan deliberately puts things into our paths that are meant to cripple us in our Christian walk.

Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

IV. To Destroy us - to neutralize our potential

1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

A. This is the ultimate goal of Satan for every church and Christian.

1. Like the Philistines in our text, he amasses his forces for the purpose of complete destruction.

2. He is not content to disarm, distract or disable us.

3. He wants only to destroy us.

4. Don't misunderstand me here.

5. He cannot destroy our soul…when a person places their faith in Jesus Christ, they are eternally secure in Him.

If we are aware of how the enemy attacks, and we are consciously aware of his strategies…then we can avoid becoming tragic casualties.