Here are previous plots with links to those blogposts:
1. The enemies first attack - friendship and flattery.
2. His second line of attack is just the opposite - insults and ridicule.
3. If these fail, he'll come at you with threats and discouragement (which both lead to weariness).
4. The next set of attacks are internal. They are Selfishness and Strife.
If all else fails, the enemy tries to tempt us away from our focus on living for God and following His purposes in our life. The fifth plot of the enemy is through SEDUCTION and SLANDER. These attacks come when you've been GOOD and FAITHFUL and the work of God is strong, powerful, and intimidating to the enemy. These are some of his final strategies.
"I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it—though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates..." Nehemiah 6:1, NIV. Just before they finish the work of God.
Since he can't directly attack or threaten you, and the internal battles haven't worked, the enemies of God will work on your own desires. Your enemy will leverage your appetites and desires against you. He'll tempt and seduce you away from the work of God. He'll pull out the stops, appeal and tempt you.
Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were scheming to harm me... Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer. Nehemiah 6:2,4, NIV.
The enemies of God will try to seduce us away from God's work by offering treatise, compromise, tempting opportunities, and delicious pleasures. They look good and sound good, but they are intended to distract and draw us away from God, His work and purposes. And how did Nehemiah reply?
...so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” Nehemiah 6:3
Nehemiah was not tempted or lured away. He held to his resolve and maintained his commitments to God and His people.
Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his aide to me with the same message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter 6 in which was written: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem says it is true—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king... so come, let us confer together.” Nehemiah 6:5-6,7.
4. The next set of attacks are internal. They are Selfishness and Strife.
If all else fails, the enemy tries to tempt us away from our focus on living for God and following His purposes in our life. The fifth plot of the enemy is through SEDUCTION and SLANDER. These attacks come when you've been GOOD and FAITHFUL and the work of God is strong, powerful, and intimidating to the enemy. These are some of his final strategies.
"I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it—though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates..." Nehemiah 6:1, NIV. Just before they finish the work of God.
Since he can't directly attack or threaten you, and the internal battles haven't worked, the enemies of God will work on your own desires. Your enemy will leverage your appetites and desires against you. He'll tempt and seduce you away from the work of God. He'll pull out the stops, appeal and tempt you.
Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were scheming to harm me... Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer. Nehemiah 6:2,4, NIV.
The enemies of God will try to seduce us away from God's work by offering treatise, compromise, tempting opportunities, and delicious pleasures. They look good and sound good, but they are intended to distract and draw us away from God, His work and purposes. And how did Nehemiah reply?
...so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” Nehemiah 6:3
Nehemiah was not tempted or lured away. He held to his resolve and maintained his commitments to God and His people.
- guard against temptation,
- recognize the voice of the enemy, even if he comes with a sweat, seductive voice or the promise of pleasures,
- remember your Call and Cause,
- renew your Commitment and Resolve.
When the seduction didn't work after several attempts, the enemies resorted to name-calling and slander.
Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his aide to me with the same message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter 6 in which was written: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem says it is true—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king... so come, let us confer together.” Nehemiah 6:5-6,7.
When you are doing God's work and following hard after God's purposes, expect God's enemies to stir up lies and rumors about you. In fact, if there aren't lies, slander, and rumors being spread about us, then we may not be doing much for God and His Kingdom.
How did Nehemiah respond? Did he retaliate? Fight back to defend himself? No...
I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.” They were all trying to frighten us... Nehemiah 6:8-9, NIV.
Nehemiah knew the rumors were a lie, and called it what it was. "You're just making this up to scare us, and try to discourage us from continuing the work of God in this great project/ cause." He didn't expend a lot of energy answering their questioning or defending himself, but simply stated, "Nope, that's not true!" And then continued about the work of God.
Leaders, Jesus-followers, don't engage the enemy in lies and defending against lies. He's the master of deceit, and only the guilty have to be defensive about their trustworthiness and truthfulness.
Best guidance I've ever received when under attack of lies, slander, and attacks against my reputation: STAND on TRUTH! Let Christ's character be your defense and His omnipotence, your protection. He will defend the defenseless.
- Guard your heart against temptation and don't come down from the Great Cause of God.
- Recognize the enemy. He's the one trying to lure you away from the Work of God.
- Remember your call and renew your commitment.
- Don't engage the enemy in rumors and lies NOR try to defend your reputation.
- Stand on truth!
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