How the Enemy Attacks- Plot 1

The enemy doesn't want God's purposes to prevail, and if you are following and serving God and His purposes than you are a target of the enemy's attacks. Examining the narrative of Ezra and Nehemiah, we discover several strategies the enemy of our soul uses to attempt to destroy God's destiny and purposes in and through our lives.

PLOT 1

When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the LORD, the God of Israel, 2 they came to Zerubbabel and to the heads of the families and said, 
“Let us help you build because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.” Ezra 4:1-2 (NIV).

The enemy of God in your life will first try to befriend you and flatter you.

The plot of Satan is to distract you through ungodly alliances and the facade of friendship. However, he is plotting to destroy God's purposes in your life and to prevent you from continuing in the work of God.

How? The enemy will do the following:

1. claim to be like you and share your love for God and His work,
2. flatter you with praise and affirm your efforts,
3. publicly express these sentiments for others to hear, so that others will be persuade and possibly persuade you.

How did Zerubbabel recognize this tactic and first plot of the enemy?

But Zerubbabel, Jeshua and the rest of the heads of the families of Israel answered, 

“You have no part with us in building a temple to our God. We alone will build it for the LORD, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, commanded us.” Ezra 4:3 (NIV).

These wise and discerning God-fearers and God-followers saw past their enemies words to the fruit of their intentions. They recognized that their enemies did NOT serve God but had other gods- false gods.

Application: are you being lured away from doing God's work through enticing offers of "friends"? Is flattery distracting you from God's best and greatest purpose for your life? Are these "friends" serving God or do they have false gods of power, politics, pride, and/ or the purse (money)? If those who are appealing to you claim to worship God but worship another god then they are being used by the enemy to plot against you.

Anytime someone attempts something great for God and takes a step of faith, the enemy will set a trap for them by trying to sweeten the offer to stay where you offer. Sometimes that's a pay raise, new or better opportunity, friends or family getting upset. But every time, it's also an attempt to keep you back from following God.