Faith Under Fire: How Spiritual Battles Reveal Your Calling | Pastor Paula | StoryLife Church 2024

Understanding the Tactics of the Enemy: How People of Purpose Handle Battles

Are you a person of purpose? Today, we’re diving into how people of purpose navigate the battles they face, especially when it comes to spiritual warfare. Grab your Bibles, notebooks, and journals, and let’s take notes. I believe God is going to move in powerful ways as we discuss how to overcome challenges. Scripture reminds us that “we perish because of a lack of knowledge”—sometimes, the battles we’re in are caused by our own decisions, our fleshly nature, or spiritual attacks. But today, we’re going to unpack how to handle these battles effectively.

When you’re a person of purpose, you will inevitably face battles. It’s a part of the Christian journey. But don’t get discouraged! Victory is assured—both in this life and in eternity. So, how do we navigate these battles without becoming overwhelmed by anxiety, stress, or worry? The answer lies in understanding that battles are normal for people of purpose.

Before we dive deeper, I want to wish a special birthday shoutout to Tuana and all the February babies! May your celebrations be filled with joy!

Now, let’s look at Nehemiah 2:17-20. This passage will reveal how a person of purpose responds to battles. Let’s break it down:

Nehemiah 2:17-20 says: “Then I said to them, ‘You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies in waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come, let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.’” Nehemiah identifies the problem—Jerusalem is in ruins—and offers the solution: building the wall.

Nehemiah continues, telling them of God’s favor and the king’s support. When people of purpose step forward, empowered by both God and man, they take action. The people didn’t sit idly by; they responded, “Let us rise up and build.” Nehemiah’s call was clear: You are the solution.

Now, here’s a key point—if you’re in a battle, it might be because you’re a builder. Every builder faces opposition. Builders, equipped with a hammer in one hand and a sword in the other, work hard and fight battles. Are you a builder? Because every builder must be ready for battle.

The people didn’t just talk about building—they acted. They “strengthened their hands for this good work,” uniting their resources, power, and talents to accomplish the task. Unity in purpose leads to progress.

But here’s where things get interesting—Nehemiah faces three key sources of opposition, which we will encounter too. These adversaries represent spiritual challenges we all face:

Satan (Sanballat the Horonite)
The Carnal Mind (Tobiah the Ammonite)
The World System (Geshem the Arab)

These three sources of battle—spiritual, mental, and worldly—will always be present when you’re pursuing a godly purpose. But remember, you are a builder, and with God’s favor, you can rise above any obstacle. Let’s dive deeper into how these enemies work and how we can stand strong in faith.

Stay tuned for more insights on overcoming these challenges!