Years ago, I remember saying, "Every time I move forward in God, I get attacked by the devil." I wasn't trying to create a doctrine; I was simply describing what I believed was my experience. It seemed obvious that greater spiritual advancement meant greater spiritual attack.
One day I felt the Lord interrupt my thinking: "Steve, why do you keep saying that every time you move forward in Me, you get attacked by the devil?"
I answered, "Lord, because every time I move forward in You, I get attacked by the devil. That is why I say it." (Let's just laugh at that.)
Then I sensed Him say something that changed my life: "That may be true for you, but it is not truth."
He followed with another question that exposed a belief I didn't know I had: "Why do you talk more about the devil's attacks than My protection?"
I replied, "Well, if I saw more of Your protection, I'd probably talk about it more."
The Lord answered, "I've got a suggestion. Why don't you talk about My protection more, and you'll see it more."
That conversation was part of a turning point in my life. I realized I had spent years being a thermometer instead of a thermostat. I wasn't just describing my experiences, but I was strengthening my expectations. (Photo via Unsplash)
Assumptions that Shaped My Thinking
As I reflected on what I believed, I uncovered a whole cluster of assumptions that had quietly shaped my thinking. They sound almost humorous now, but at the time I accepted them as normal:
• The higher we go in God, the harder life becomes.
• Church leaders have miserable lives because they are under greater spiritual attack.
• Generals are the least protected people in an army.
• If I'm not experiencing an attack, I probably am not much of a threat to the devil.
• The safest thing to do is not spiritually advance.
• Really spiritual people talk more about satan's attacks than God's protection.
• My expectations have little to do with what I experience.
Today, I laugh at those beliefs because they are not rooted in Scripture.
Biblical Characters Who Experienced Extraordinary Protection
Please don't misunderstand me. I know we have a real enemy, and the Bible tells us not to be ignorant of his devices (2 Corinthians 2:11). But I also believe we can unintentionally magnify his activity beyond what God ever intended. When I read the Bible, I don't just see people facing opposition. I see people experiencing extraordinary protection while advancing God's purposes.
Biblical examples of extraordinary protection:
• Joshua was about to lead Israel into the Promised Land, and God didn't tell him to prepare for increasing attacks. He told him, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night... For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success" (Joshua 1:8 NKJV).
• Daniel was protected in the lions' den.
• The three young Hebrew men were preserved in the fiery furnace.
• Jesus repeatedly walked safely through hostile crowds until the moment He willingly laid down His life. (Photo via Picryl)
• Psalm 91 is filled with promises of God's protection for those who dwell in Him.
I eventually realized I had enough challenges in my life without also having faith for increased attacks from the devil.
Changing What You Declare
So I changed what I declared. Instead of saying, "Every time I move forward in God, I get attacked by the devil," I began saying things like, "As I move forward in God, I experience increasing wisdom, increasing favor, increasing strength, and increasing protection."
Did all challenges disappear immediately? No, but I can testify that "attacks" lessened in my life and protection has increased. I have decided to magnify God's protection more than the devil's attacks. I am not called to become an expert on what the enemy is doing. I am called to become fully convinced of what God is doing.
As I move forward in God, I expect His grace, His wisdom, and His protection to increase. I think that's a much better expectation to live with. I pray blessings, protection, and revelation of God's goodness to increase in your life.
Declarations:
1. As I move forward in God, I experience increasing strength and increasing protection.
2. God's protection is a greater reality than satan's attacks.
3. I expect God's favor, wisdom, and protection to increase as I advance in His purposes.
4. I talk more about God's faithfulness than the devil's strategies.
5. I am a thermostat, not a thermometer. I release faith, hope, and expectation wherever I go.
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Steve Backlund
Igniting Hope
Email:Â Info@ignitinghope.com
Website:Â www.ignitinghope.com
Steve Backlund is a prolific encourager, catalytic author, joy activator, and revivalist teacher. He brings transformational levels of hope to churches and organizations around the world. He is uniquely gifted to release hope, joy, and healthy leadership everywhere he goes.
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