Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. — 2 Timothy 3:12
The British preacher Charles Spurgeon said, "Satan never kicks a dead horse." The idea being that he will only attack someone who is a threat to him. If you were to say to me, "Greg, I can't remember the last time that I was persecuted or the last time I had any kind of spiritual attack against me," then I would have to check and see if you have a pulse. Because, quite frankly, if you are walking with God, there should be some measure of persecution you are facing—some form of attack.
As 2 Timothy 3:12 says, "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." Persecution is a reality, and the devil will approach it in two primary ways: outward and inward. Sometimes he comes at us like a lion. He will attack outwardly in the form of physical threats, slander, and so forth. But more often he comes like a snake, slithering in the back door.
When I was a kid, I had a great fascination with snakes, so much so that I actually aspired to be a herpetologist. I collected snakes, read about snakes, and even memorized details about snakes. And I also learned that snakes have the ability to get in and out of the tightest of spaces, having had a few of my own escape.
You may have all of your defenses up and be thinking, The devil will never penetrate this fortress. I am ready! But then he will come slithering through some little opening. That is why the Bible warns us, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). So remember: Whenever God is working, the devil will be opposing.
Copyright © 2009 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Bible text from the New King James Version is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Attn: Bible Rights and Permissions, P.O. Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214-1000
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