How to Stand Strong Against the Enemy

I’m a sucker for wildlife videos. I mean, real life is always best, but if a video is all I can get, I’m in. Years ago, I discovered Africam.com, and to say that I geeked out is a huge understatement. On African.com you can see African wildlife in their own surroundings, thanks to live webcams strategically placed throughout the wilderness.

You can also sign up for alerts of your favorite animals. For a little while, I was signed up to receive “Big Cat Alerts”. It’s exactly as it sounds: Every time a lion, leopard or cheetah would show up on a webcam, my phone would receive a notification. Several times, my husband, Jeff, awakened in the middle of the night to find me watching those big cats, I must admit. 

One day, I was watching a live cam with gazelle or impala (not sure which) drinking at a

small pond. They were having the best time. I even caught a pic of them because, like I said, I love Africam.com!

Animals drinking from a small pond in Africa.

Then it caught my eye. These impala were in grave danger. Little did they know that lurking just  feet away was a lion, waiting for the perfect time to strike.

Lion waiting to pounce on unsuspecting prey.

While those animals were busy going about life unaware, danger was right in their midst, and they didn’t even know it. I’ll spare you the pic of the lioness presenting her catch to her man! Suffice it to say, the lioness won that day. 

All of this got me thinking about our lives here on earth, and how we, too, have an enemy lurking around. A few years ago, I found myself in a season of warfare. This season snuck up on me, truth be told. It started innocently enough — just a silly little dream that woke me in the middle of the night. I brushed it off as “nothing” until the same dream awakened me the following night. And the next night. And every night for more than two years.

It was a dark season. It was a lonely season. And only in hindsight can I see that part of why it was so difficult is because I was utterly unprepared. I was unaware of the possibility of such a brutal attack against me spiritually. But I shouldn’t have been caught off guard. Scripture warns us to be ready.

Scripture tells us, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world” (I Peter 5:8-9 CSB).

The Word is clear that our enemy, Satan, is just like that lioness — prowling, stalking, and waiting to devour us. If we are not prepared, we too will be caught unaware. Don’t for a minute think that being caught off guard means being defeated. The Lord has already been victorious over Satan. But that doesn’t mean he can’t still tempt us and attack us. 

So how do we protect ourselves? The Scriptures are clear on that, too. Scripture tells us to put on the full armor of God so that we can stand against the devil’s schemes:

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:10-17 ESV).

Perhaps you’re in a season of warfare right now. Perhaps you feel the breath of a lion at your back. Rest assured that the Lord is greater and is able to defeat anything Satan tries to throw at you. My season of warfare was long. But in the end, I learned to wait upon the Lord with great expectation and to praise Him no matter what I was experiencing. I promise you He can be trusted. I promise you He is always victorious. I promise you He will never fail you. 

Put on the Lord’s armor and stand today. Let the Lord fight your battle. His way is better.

How have you experienced the Lord's presence in the midst of spiritual warfare? We'd love to hear how He showed up to protect you in the comments below. Let's celebrate those victories together!

Holly Prosser is first and foremost a follower of Jesus and strives to become more like him every day. She’s been married to Jeff (her favorite human) for 32 years, and they have two adult children- Bryan and Ellie. Holly has worked as a psychiatric nurse for more than 30 years, a ministry she loves dearly. Among her favorite things are chips & salsa, all things football, sunsets and a good fire.