Spiritual Warfare 5

We're examining the effects of the evil one's influence on our self esteem. Satan’s “passive attack” called temptation was examined yesterday. Today we view how satan intensifies his attack with flaming arrows.

Ephesians 6:16 ... with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (With the flaming arrows, he seeks to assault our weaknesses or encumber our mission.)
Flaming arrows are seen as more aggressive than temptations. They come with, as Tom White would say, “nearly irresistible intensity. Excessive irritation. Bitterness. Criticism. Lustful impulses. Jealousy. Fear.”

Not just a little irritation, but excessively so. Not just a resentment, but a hanging on vindictive, mean, getting even bitterness. Not just lustful impulses but obsession of desire. A fear that is all consuming and debilitating. An attack on self esteem that makes one feel worthless and impotent. satan especially hits the home and the church.

How many ministries have been corrupted because of:
1. satan’s lustful arrow? (A high percentage of pastors are involved in some lustful sexual activity - nearly 50% visited an Internet pornography web site in the last year, according to www.pastors.com.)
2. satan's pride arsenal? (“Our doctrine. Our method of worship is far superior to others.”)
3. his jealousy dart? (“His ministry is bigger than mine.”)
4. his sword of control for power? (As it has been said, “Power nurtures the idolatry of self. It corrupts.” Churches split over power maneuvers.)

Our scheme of attack for satan’s flaming arrows:
Put on the armor.
Ephesians 6:11-18 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 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. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

In satan’s progressive attack mode, he tempts, then he flings flaming arrows and
Monday we examine his ultimate strike of intensity.