Growth Scares The Enemy

“But the children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them. Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, “Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we; come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and it happen, in the event of war, that they also join our enemies and fight against us, and so go up out of the land.” Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens…” (Exodus 1:7-11)

Did you know that growth scares the devil? Spiritual growth of the Christian as well as growth in numbers amongst the body of Christ puts the devil on notice! And in his fear, he strikes back. BUT KNOW THIS! No weapon of the enemy is mightier than God!!!

I recently had this revelation of “When the enemy brings out the BIG GUNS, turn to God and bring out the BIGGEST GUNS!”

Satan always has been very dramatic and he is very good at making it seem like we are outnumbered and overpowered. But this is all a LIE! Of course it’s all lies. What else could the “father of all lies” produce other than lies and deceptions? (John 8:44)

Take this into consideration:

•         The devil is a created being, therefore he can NEVER be more powerful than his creator (John 1:3)
•      No matter how great the attack is against you, you have more for you than against you! (2 Kings 6:16)

So let’s return to Exodus 1.

Here we see the enemy in the form of man (which is how the enemy works) trying to destroy God’s people, the Hebrews. Pharaoh notices that the Hebrew people are both great in numbers and blessings, and this disturbs him. He immediately begins to fear that they will turn on him and take over his kingdom. So, he makes the first strike. He puts them into bondage.

And here is where I want you to pay attention. Whenever satan sees potential in a person that God can use for His purposes, he sends out his minions (demons) to “work” on that individual. There are many believers who have been mercilessly attacked from as far back as they can remember, even as children. Now that does not mean that satan knows God’s plans for our life. Only God is omniscient! But satan can see potential and if he can cut that person down before they reach a certain point of maturity, then he has succeeded. After all, when you are clearing land, it is much easier to cut a young tree (sapling) than a fully grown (mature) tree.

But as the scriptures tell us “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:28-31)

Right after the Egyptians set their taskmasters over the Hebrews to burden and afflict them, the scriptures note “But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel.” (Exodus 1:12)

The first strike did not produce the results Pharaoh wanted. As they burdened the Hebrews, the Hebrews thrived.

Paul described this effect as such “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

Here again, if God be for you, then who can stand against you? God is in control, and no weapon or plan of the enemy will change this truth!

So in true fashion, Pharaoh sets up another, more devious strike against the Hebrew people.

“So the Egyptians made the children of Israel serve with rigor. And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage—in mortar, in brick, and in all manner of service in the field. All their service in which they made them serve was with rigor. Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of one was Shiphrah and the name of the other Puah; and he said, “When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.”” (Exodus 1:13-16)

The enemy will continue to press you, seeking a way to bring you down. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) and he comes to “steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” (John 10:10)

This battle is REAL! You have a REAL ENEMY. And he would like nothing more than to destroy you!

But we have REAL GOD who is on our side!!!

Did you ever notice how often the scriptures remind us to not be afraid and to trust in God?

God’s people have many promises of protection and care from His word. Here are just a few of my personal favorites:

“And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” (Psalm 34:19)

“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me.” (Psalm 138:7)

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the Lord.” (Isaiah 54:17)

“But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.” (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

***All of Psalms 23, 91, and 121.

So if you are experiencing strong attacks from the enemy, I want this to encourage you. You are being attacked so mercilessly because there is something in you that God can use for His glory and the devil wants to keep you from growing and maturing into a mighty Child of God who knows how to use their authority and power through Christ.

You know, sometimes the enemy doesn’t necessarily seek to destroy you so much as to “halt” you from moving forward. He doesn’t mind you being a little sprout in the garden, just as long as you never grow to the point of producing fruit!

There is nothing more pitiful than a permanently immature Christian “holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith].” (2 Timothy 3:5)

CHRISTIAN! Jesus has given us marching orders! “Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

We don’t have time to play games with the devil. Yes he is attacking us. Yes he hates us. Yes he wants to stop us. Yes he is an annoying imp!

But we are the Children of the MOST HIGH GOD! We have power and authority over ALL DEMONS and to cure diseases. (Luke 9:1).

Do you know the difference between POWER and AUTHORITY? Power is the ability to do something and authority is the right to do it! And we have both through Christ.

Take heart my brothers and sisters in Christ. If you are being attacked from all sides, cheer up! That means God is about to do something amazingly AWESOME in your life (if you are living in obedience to His word and have no sin in your life). Right before your breakthrough, the pressures of attack feel the strongest. Just as in labor, the pains increase in frequency and intensity right before the baby is pushed out. It’s hard! It’s painful! It’s exhausting! But oh, it is soooo worth it!!! PRAISE GOD ❤

Hold on, because God is about to birth something in your life that only He could create and bring to pass. And He shall receive ALL THE GLORY! So keep growing and keep pressing into the LORD. He sees you and He hears you. He is in control and will show His might on your behalf (2 Chronicles 16:9).

God bless you!