The One Thing Satan Really Wants to Take from You

Contributing Writer
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The One Thing Satan Really Wants to Take from You

We all know and recognize that we have an enemy, yet there are things about him we sometimes get wrong. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard people mention how Satan is attacking them and he is after their stuff. They talk as if Satan is primarily interested in robbing them of their earthly possessions. I've heard sermons that center around this, listened to music that echoes the same sentiment, and witnessed many falling into the belief that Satan is relentlessly after their things.

I thought God said call upon me and I will answer. How’s that going for you?

These types of whispers and darts the enemy throws at you are all designed to attack and weaken your faith. When you are discouraged, disillusioned, or disappointed, the result is your faith can suffer.

When seeds of doubt or discouragement don’t work, Satan may turn to worldly distractions. He may tempt you to look at other things and take your eyes off Jesus. He aims to strip away your confidence in God's promises and provision. This can render you ineffective in your pursuit of God and his plans for your life. Regardless of the method, it all goes back to the one thing he wants to take from you, which is your faith.

To counter these attacks, you must guard and nurture your faith. One reason is because you overcome the enemies’ attacks on your faith by using the same thing he is after, your faith. The Bible reminds us in Ephesians 6 that we extinguish the darts of the enemy with the shield of faith. When the enemy comes to attack your faith, you use that same faith to fight back and defeat his plan.

However, to do this effectively, you must cultivate a vibrant faith. This requires intentional effort and a steadfast commitment to seeking God and His truth. You must immerse yourself in his Word and commune with him in prayer. It also helps to surround yourself with fellow believers who can encourage you and aid you in building your faith. 

One thing to note is faith is not an all-or-nothing proposition. It is a journey — a process of growth and development. You may experience seasons of struggle, but that does not mean your faith is irreparably damaged. God is gracious and compassionate, ready to restore and revive your faith as you surrender yourself to Him.

When you face moments of doubt or spiritual dryness – and they will come – then you must not succumb to the enemy's ploys. Instead, you can choose to anchor yourself in the truth of God's Word and rely on his faithfulness. As you walk closer to him, you fortify your faith and prevent the enemy from robbing your spiritual vitality. This does not mean life won’t hurt, but through it all your faith will stay strong.

Faith is an indispensable component of your walk with God. Just as your physical heart sustains life in your body, faith sustains and nourishes your spiritual life. Satan recognizes the power of faith and seeks to strip it away from you, hindering your connection with God. But you have the choice to protect and cultivate your faith. Let us commit to nurturing our faith through prayer, the study of God's Word, and fellowship with other believers. By doing so, you can guard against the enemy's schemes. This will also position you to experience the fullness of a vibrant, faith-filled relationship with your loving Heavenly Father. I pray today you would go and walk by faith.

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Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Sophia Floerchinger

Clarence Haynes 1200x1200Clarence L. Haynes Jr. is a speaker, Bible teacher, and co-founder of The Bible Study Club.  He is the author of The Pursuit of Purpose which will help you understand how God leads you into his will. His most recent book is The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. This book will teach you how to put the pieces together so you can live a victorious Christian life and finally become the man or woman of God that you truly desire to be. Clarence is also committed to helping 10,000 people learn how to study the Bible and has just released his first Bible study course called Bible Study Basics. To learn more about his ministry please visit clarencehaynes.com