From “In the Beginning” to Amen // Strategies of the Enemy (Exodus)
There are Five Strategies I Want to Look at: (I’m sure there are others too)
1. Discouragement
Discouraged by Circumstances
Exodus 6:9 (NLT)
“So Moses told the people of Israel what the LORD had said, but they refused to listen anymore. They had become too discouraged by the brutality of their slavery.”
Discouraged by the Enemy
Exodus 13:17-18 (NLT)
“When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”
Discouraged by One Another
Numbers 32:7-9 (NIV)
“Why do you discourage the Israelites from crossing over into the land the Lord has given them? This is what your fathers did when I sent them from Kadesh Barnea to look over the land. After they went up to the Valley of Eshkol and viewed the land, they discouraged the Israelites from entering the land the Lord had given them.”
Antidote: Encourage and Build Up
"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today,' so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.”
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)
"...Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together... but encouraging one another.”
1 Thessalonians
5:11 (NIV)
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
2. Distraction
Antidote: Stay Focused
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT)
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”
3. Disruption/Division
Antidote: Walk in Unity
“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”
Philippians 2:2 (NIV)
“Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.”
Colossians 3:13-14 (NV)
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
4. Deception
Antidote: Hold Fast to Truth
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
“Jesus said, ‘Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth’.”
Psalm 51:6 (ESV)
“Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.”
5. Destruction
Antidote: Choose Life
Proverbs 14:2 (NIV)
“There is a way that seems right to man, but the end of it is destruction.”
“But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
2 Samuel 22:2 (ESV)
“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer."