God vs. Man

Discovering our true enemy and defeating it

A little retreat

A few years ago, I was blessed with the use of a friend’s home while they are away on a mission trip to South Africa. I had sixteen days to draw closer to God and pray about the many things floating in the infinite space between my ears.

One of the days I planned a day of solitude. No phone, no Facebook, no use of my Bible app, no internet not even my dictionary app. It wasn’t easy. It seemed every few minutes I was wanting to reach for my phone to look something up. Not that phones are a bad; I just find myself looking there for every question I have sometimes. Sometimes I even find myself saying “Hey Siri, what does God want me to do right now.” Wouldn't that be something?

I wanted a day laser focused on relying on God. I started with prayer of course and then spent some time writing down all that came to mind. I must say it only left me wanting more. I had had a difficult time writing for the past few months and that seemed to have ended. I started writing every thought. If you know me personally you are probably wondering how I wrote it all down. Easy answer, I couldn't! My mind gets so full sometimes. I think of things I think I need to figure out and the things I think I should know. I try and solve problems that aren't mine that I think I need to find the solution to in order to help those around me. I contemplate future plans and how they should play out. I run them through my mind as though by thinking about them I can 100% tell what the outcome will be!

I wrote fourteen pages in my journal that day on my little retreat. God spoke to me and ever so gently showed me a few areas that I would be refined in.

Like the idea that I can think of future plans and know the outcome. If I just think through them all the way. If you want a quick way to talk yourself out of doing anything I suggest you do the same. Just by thinking them through too much! Think about what you want to do and then think out every step, think of every obstacle and how impossible the task seems and give up before you start. Most important step, (PAY ATTENTION)- don't ask God a thing. Make your plans and then later when you’re crying about how you aren't where you should be, cry out for Him to help, for Him to save you. This was my pattern for years! The God of convenience, there when I had no other options. The place I went last, when I felt no hope.

Fast forward through years of heartache. Fast forward through trials-a-plenty and stubborn prayers demanding my way and my Will be done. Fast forward past the pain, the anger, the entitled feelings, the feelings of lose and anguish over a life that shouldn't have started; or so I had thought from time to time. Now, put God where He belongs.

First and foremost, your go to, your rock, your strength, the most perfect and beautiful resting place for your tired soul. Ask Him first, ask Him how, ask Him why and why not, ask Him who, ask Him anything. Just, ask. Believe, Ask, Receive. That is the message that to clearly came to me while spending this time with God on my mini retreat. Even more important I was shown what holds me back.

What holds me back

What keeps me from believing and what keeps me from asking God and following through. MAN- Not men, this is not about to turn into a man bashing feminist rant about men hold me back. But MAN as in mankind. Humans, people, men and woman, boys and girls, saints and sinners alike. Man is keeping me from God the most. I had to pause and think this through a little. I am surrounded by people I believe to be "strong believers”, I listen to nothing but Christian music (at the time), I read the Bible daily. How could my fellow Christians get between me and God. How can my biggest idol be man?! I was shocked!

The Enemy Revealed

Let's see how man has been revealed as my enemy, then how I learned who the enemy really is and then how to battle this formidable foe.

Man is my biggest foe? How do we define foe or enemy? Enemy defined by Websters Dictionary 1. one that is antagonistic to another

2. something harmful or deadly

3. a: a military adversary

God is the commander of the army I am in. Yet I still take orders and listen to opposing forces our adversary. Wait... that doesn't make sense. How can you fight a war and expect to win if you take orders from the very enemy you aim to destroy? That isn't even the biggest problem with what is happening. The biggest problem is most of us don't even see the enemy as an enemy. We see coworkers that upset us, family issues that drive us crazy, traffic jams, bank account woes and late bill payments. We see people who "just don't get it" and keep thinking repeatedly that "if things would just be____ (fill in that blank as you wish) then everything would be fine and I would be happy, content, and at peace.”

The real enemy... he hides in plain sight! He's right in your face! People who study war would tell you how smart that is. It is unsuspecting and innocent looking. It’s a gift of a hollow horse full of enemy forces waiting to burn your life down as you sleep.

I want to try and explain something very important. The actual people are not the enemy! Let me repeat that for you, the actual people are not the enemy. Your boss that nags you about deadlines is not the enemy, the guy cutting you off in traffic is not the enemy, the annoying moms on the PTA that gossip and cause issues are not the enemy. The situations, circumstances, and the way we think when controlled by the enemy is the enemy. My sister is not my foe or someone to battle with, the irritation and the thoughts the enemy can make you think when you begin to disagree and the small little things that start pinning you up against each other like there is a world war about to start, now that is sparked by the enemy.

He tries to separate Gods believers, he tries to keep believers from having a good influence on non-believers he tries to prevent us from traveling to share Gods word, he tries to cripple us with fear of stepping out for God in blind faith. If there is one thing this journey is teaching me, it is that the enemy hates bold steps made in faith when it seems like the most irrational thing to do and we do it any wat because we feel Gd leading us to. That is what makes the enemies blood boil.

Yet, I find that when those fears are met head on with a faith that tells me God wins and I'm on that side. It is easier to face that enemy and step out into the darkness.

Now that we have defines this enemy and more about who it really is that angers us and gets us going in the wrong direction, how do we love our enemies then? Especially when at the time these situation and circumstances seem so worldly and to be honest annoying, frustrating and people are just rude or ignorant or overly opinionated. Well the first way to love your enemy is realizing that that person in front of you isn't the enemy. They are just an earthly Trojan Horse rolling through their life. The enemy is the unseen force surrounding that person waiting for an insecurity to exploit a weak spot in the armor to be shown or a default in character that he can’t wait to influence you to let loose on someone. Notice I didn’t say MAKE you let loose on someone. The enemy has no power to MAKE us do anything. Remember that when you your talking about how you lost your you know what on someone and you couldn’t help it because the enemy was at work. I don’t doubt the enemy was there, but you had a choice, and you made the wrong one and you LET the enemy use you as his instrument of chaos. Another important note, it isn't always the enemy! We are flesh and blood and flawed and fallible. Sometimes it is our flesh. In general, I think it all starts with our own flesh. The enemy is just an opportunist that has impeccable timing. These are more reasons to draw close to the Lord and ask to be refined and ask for guidance and growth. To allow God to work in us, so the enemy has less of us, to use against us. The more like Christ we become the less flesh the enemy will have available to him.

Next step, in loving our enemies is to Love God and allow Him to work in us, stay close to Him and live in His Spirit. Then we will begin to see others more as He sees them and less like the jerk that cut in line at the grocery store. (who does this guy think he is?) The more clearly, we will be able to see they are not actually the enemy. This is especially true with people who aren't walking with God. They don't have the guidance from the Lord we have. Next time your boss starts freaking out or treats you in a way that just makes your blood boil, do this. Picture that person standing in eternity with no God, now picture them being used by the enemy as his pawn in an epic battle of the ages. Picture them worn down by trying to do life on their own without God. Picture them alone, hurting, separated from the only thing that could possibly give them any hope in this world. Now, imagine them as a drowning person in a sea of deception and grief sinking deep into the world they see and the enemies lies the enemy whispers of how things should be. Picture them with no hope and no way out. Now, imagine you are standing on the shore of this sea or better yet, you are on a boat nearby. Will you get angry back at them and argue and bicker and make the waves around them bigger? Will you add to the chaos in their day, their life, their existence? Will you ignore the opportunity God is giving you? Every action and reaction is a witness to the character of God in us. Will you keep on sailing by in you comfy boat? Will you keep the truth to yourself? Or will you get out of the boat and reach out your hand? Will you offer them safety? Will you share what can save them? Every situation we face in this life is a chance to "get out of the boat." Every time we come up against a trial or we face the enemy either in the form of our thoughts or a person or situation we have the chance to trust God, have faith in what He is teaching us and face that enemy. Recognize that our "enemies (the object the enemy uses, person or otherwise) are to be loved" and the enemy (the devil) is to be defeated by that love.

Ok, so back to wondering how the people in our lives get between us and God. First off, let me start this next section with a huge thank you to all the people who support every "crazy" idea that comes to my mind. I am sure I can overwhelm even the most creative mind at times with how many directions my brain can go.

So, to those of you who keep track of me and listen to all my ranting first hand.

THANK YOU! you are amazing.

Please don't take any of the following statements to heart. *(see right there, had to put a note in to make sure the feelings of loved ones are protected from the truth I'm about to share) Half of them don't even know I write or preach.

So, While "retreating" and spending quiet time alone with the Lord I was praying and reading and writing. On the coffee table right in front of me was a small magazine I will reference it to avoid any copyrighting issues. (Table talk, The Seven Deadly Fears.) While reading, a few things struck me and God convicted me big time! Fear of Men by. Nicholas T. Batzig (no idea who he is but God used his writing today. If anyone reading this is friends with him on Facebook be sure to tag him so he knows he is being used as an instrument of God).

We are around people everyday all day. I am becoming increasingly aware of how much, what they think or what I think they might think effects what I do, what I say and how I say it. Even the way I might DO anything could change. Think about that for a moment. You're at work, working and a person you don't know very well is in the same space as you. You feel God nudging you to ask this person a simple question. What do you do? Do you fearlessly ask the question? Do you ask God to repeat Himself to make sure it was Him? Do you think the entire situation out to the end. For example: I ask and the person looks at me nuts and has a bad opinion of the crazy girl asking random questions. Get scared of being rejected and say nothing? Or, do you walk past them seven times, think all these things through, and then realize not asking is against what God wants you to do. Then, finally terrified and reluctant ask the question?

The last option is the one I choose today. What did I find? Not only was the person happy to answer but it helped me learn more about them. It opened a door. It was two people talking about their faith at work. To top it off something even more unexpected happened. They asked me to answer the same question! Which turned into me sharing about the time I spent with God yesterday and sharing this fear of Man I have with someone else. That one simple question turned into a deep meaningful spiritual conversation with someone I haven't really talked to before. I will tell you what, I will take that over "Hi, how’s it going?" any day.

God knows what He's doing. Even when we don't. The enemy wants to prevent us from these simple conversations. These simple conversations bring strangers closer together in Christ. Even people who seem to have no faith can gain some from us asking the questions God prompts us to. We need to hear Him and obey.

So, the hidden foe I speak of are the little whispers of doubt in the tiny little things we think we hear God prompting us to do.

He whispers "Ask Nate how he sees me working in his life." if I obey -a relationship with God at the center starts and faith becomes strengthened. God gains more ground in the battle. We are faithful in little and will receive more.

He whispers "Ask Nate how he sees me working in his life." if I ignore it (disobey)- nothing happens. No relationship, no strengthening, no added faith, no spiritual gain. The enemy keeps us in a boring mundane regular day at work lull. Nothing spiritual about that, no battle taking place. (or is there?) The enemy gains ground in the battle any way and even worse we don’t even realize (or admit) we lost for God.

These situations can be the worst with family. Like I said, I love mine and they are very supportive. But, lets face it. Who's approval do you seek out when it is God vs Family? Do you stick with the urges and prompts that God gives you? Do you say something about Jesus to the person in your family that you are unsure of where they stand with Jesus? Do you take the chance of offending them because God wants you to say something? Or, do you ignore the quiet voice, or feeling that you shouldn’t say something because it might be uncomfortable? They might get upset or push you away!

We fear the loss of man’s favor, loss of their love or we fear their disapproval. We fear loss of friendship, comfort or pleasure from those relationships. So, we "edit" what we know we should say. We all do it. I'm the worst at this. Time and time again the chance to speak Gods truth goes by, ignored especially with family. Will they think I’m a velot? I better tread lightly. The voice will whisper in the back of my mind. The God clear as day, I will protect you, just do this. Who do you listen to? His convicting words tight in my chest as the anxiety builds. Do I really say that to them? (Whatever it is your feeling you should say at the time). What if they freak out on me? What if this guy never talks to me again because I need to keep strict boundaries he doesn't understand? What if my words sound overzealous? What if I sound nuts?

So, we compromise. We say half of what we thought we should. We edit so the truth is sorta there and Gods message is kinda given, but in a way we know it will be better swallowed.

Question: Do you know that person better than God knows that person? Do you really think you know what is best said and not said to them at any given moment?

If you feel God telling you to deliver a message do you put your own words in, edit the message to make it more palatable then deliver the message? Or, do you deliver it as you know God is telling you to?

Maybe, the enemy has you double guessing all together. After all, why would God use you to tell someone they are heading down the wrong path? Why wouldn't He just tell them Himself? Am I actually hearing God in my thoughts or am I being judgmental and nosey.

When we fear man it mutes and quiets our witness and keeps us from living for his glory. (Nicholas T. Batzigs words not mine) But it spoke very clearly too me.

This fear of Man is a thing I never even thought of and it turns out to be my greatest road block. My biggest idol standing in my way to doing all the things God wants from me and for me is me and how I let me fear of man get in my way and makes me edit my words and behaviors to fit in with them more.

Now, picture what it would be like to act on all the things you feel God telling you to do. Imagine, fearlessly and confidently carrying out every order large and tiny that the Lord gives you. I wonder what that would be like. Not even sure if it is possible. I mean we are human. We are prone to exaggeration and misunderstanding. Sometimes, I have a hard time knowing for certain it is God telling me to do these things and I’m not just thinking them on my own because I think I know better. Even the Bible tells us to test the spirits. 1 John 4:1. I will not delve into this at this time but I have my own method to be sure and you can find more on this elsewhere. For now we will stick here with getting over this fear.

Jesus was able to do this and he never worried what people thought he never compromised for gain and his only goal was to bring honor and glory to the Heavenly Father. He was also rejected and despised because of it.

I don't know if I can say I have what it takes to do the same. How do we battle this foe? When the earthly consequences we see and feel are so much more of a reality to us then the promises God makes? How do we put God above all others all the time? How do we seek His approval over mans every time? How do we break free from our Man pleasing default setting? I cant even begin to give you the answers to all these questions. This was more an exercise in exposing the issue and asking the important questions that most of us didn’t know we needed to ask. I didn’t. I think to answer these questions God is the answer and only he in is individual knowledge of each of us and how we operate can answer these questions for each of us if we will only seek them out and be open to what is revealed to us. Its best to start with prayer.

“Father, I pray for all mankind that we would seek you more fully. I pray that when we feel you and hear you speak to us we would follow more quickly and with less reservation. I pray you help us to come together and trust you as our guide and counselor. I pray you strengthen our faith as a whole, as one body in Christ. I pray you show us when the enemy is at work and make us more aware of how real the spiritual battle is day to day. I pray Father, that you would give us a boldness to speak when you ask us to and a willingness not to edit the message according to what we think would be more pleasing to the receiver. I pray you help us to see the power and authority you have given us over the enemy and that we would see him and his attempts to keep us weak and fearful. I pray you help us to see you put us here to love one another and not to fear one another. I pray you help us to see there is one purpose Father. To glorify you Lord in all we do. In Jesus Name Amen.”

You’ll be posting loads of engaging content, so be sure to keep your blog organized with Categories that also allow visitors to explore more of what interests them.

Create Relevant Content

Writing a blog is a great way to position yourself as an authority in your field and captivate your readers’ attention. Do you want to improve your site’s SEO ranking? Consider topics that focus on relevant keywords and relate back to your website or business. You can also add hashtags (#vacation #dream #summer) throughout your posts to reach more people, and help visitors search for relevant content.

Blogging gives your site a voice, so let your business’ personality shine through. Choose a great image to feature in your post or add a video for extra engagement. Are you ready to get started? Simply create a new post now.