The Church DefinedSample

Church Under Attack

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness 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.”

Matthew 16:18, “… I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” (NKJV)

All through history, the church of God has been under constant attack. These assaults came in the form of opposition, rejection, imprisonments, persecution and death. The global church at this juncture is challenged with an intrusion like we’ve never encountered before. 

Paul admonishes the church at Ephesus this way in Ephesians 6:12-13, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (NKJV) We as a church, must realize that we are in a spiritual battle, and God’s call to each of us, as members of His body, is that we be armed and ready to face the onslaughts of the evil one. 

Peter further encourages us in 1 Peter 5:8-9, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.” (NLT) This is probably the one time in the history of the world where the church at large is encountering a challenge that is affecting everyone, irrespective of who they are, or where they live. 

The assurance that comes from the Lord Jesus is that the church will always come forth victorious and the enemy will never be able to prevail against it. Here’s the word of confidence for us to cling on to from 2 Thessalonians 3:3, “But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.” (NKJV) The church of God will most certainly come out triumphant, for we have the Builder and Defender of the church on our side.