The Danger of Ignoring Spiritual Enemies - E-Books

Imagine a small crack in the wall of a dam. At first glance, it might seem insignificant and easy to ignore. But over time, as water continuously pushes against it, that tiny crack can expand, eventually leading to a catastrophic breach that floods everything in its path. What seemed harmless at first becomes the source of devastation. The initial crack may have appeared minor, but the consequences of ignoring it are disastrous.

Unfortunately, many Christians today treat their lives in the same way. They ignore the small cracks—those subtle, seemingly insignificant compromises, sins, or temptations that gradually erode their spiritual foundations. These small cracks left unattended, lead to catastrophic spiritual consequences. The Lord Jesus Himself warned, “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?” (Luke 6:39, NKJV). Sadly, there are many blind leading the blind, resulting in numerous spiritual catastrophes in the Christian world.

Ignoring your spiritual enemies is not just careless—it’s dangerous. The consequences can be severe and far-reaching. Consider the warning God gave to the children of Israel in Numbers 33:55-56. God had given them the land of Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey, but with this gift came a command. He commanded them to drive out all the inhabitants of the land. However, God, like a good father, also issued a stern warning: “But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain shall be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land where you dwell.”

God’s instructions were clear: deal with the enemies in the land, or they will become a perpetual source of trouble. The consequences of ignoring this command would be severe—those who remained would be like thorns in the flesh, constantly harassing and oppressing them. The imagery of thorns in the eyes symbolises spiritual blindness and dullness, where one’s ability to perceive and discern God’s will becomes clouded and ineffective.

But what did the Israelites do? Instead of obeying God’s command to completely drive out the inhabitants, they compromised. They allowed some to remain, intermarried with them, and eventually adopted their customs and idolatry. This disobedience led to a cycle of peace and war that never seemed to end. The very people they were supposed to eliminate became their oppressors, leading to endless conflicts and suffering.

The book of Judges records this tragic pattern: periods of peace followed by periods of war and oppression over and over again. This tragic cycle could have been avoided entirely if the Israelites had fully obeyed God’s command to drive out the enemies from the land. Instead, their failure to act decisively against these spiritual enemies led to generations of turmoil and suffering.

The lesson here is clear: spiritual enemies, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem, must be dealt with decisively. Ignoring them or compromising with them will only lead to greater trouble down the line.

Dealing with the Root Causes

What is that thing in your life that is causing you to fail? Is it smoking, alcohol, anger, unforgiveness, laziness, or sloppiness? Are you caught up in endless gossip, wasting precious hours on the phone?

Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom. (Song of Solomon 2:15)

These seemingly little foxes can ruin your progress and pull you away from God’s best for your life. It’s crucial to identify these little foxes and deal with them decisively, allowing God to transform your weaknesses into strengths.

No One is Indispensable

Over the years, I’ve learned a vital truth: No one is indispensable—not me, not you. We often fall into the trap of believing that without us, nothing can be accomplished. But the truth, though bitter, is that the work will continue. God can raise up anyone, even a humble shepherd boy like David, and elevate him to greatness. David was taken from the fields, where he tended sheep, and was anointed as king over Israel (1 Samuel 16:11-13). His rise from insignificance to significance was a result of God’s favour and David’s willingness to obey. So, it is in our best interest to deal with our spiritual enemies, lest we miss out on the purposes God has for us.

Misplaced Blame and Spiritual Blindness

Too often, we look at others and label them as our enemies. We get hurt easily, hold grudges, and allow bitterness to fester. In some families, this becomes an evil pattern—divisions, misunderstandings, and unresolved conflicts. We might pray fervently for nations like Israel, which is commendable, but we neglect to pray for our own families. Some of us can’t even attend the same church as someone we consider an enemy, letting petty grievances keep us from a spirit-filled fellowship.

The Solution: A Personal Spiritual Retreat

The solution is simple: Go on a personal spiritual retreat. Take out some time during the day to sit quietly in God’s presence. Reflect and ask the Lord, “What are the things that are pulling me down?” Write them down and seek His guidance on how to overcome these issues.

And remember, not everything needs to be shared on social media! Imagine posting, “These are the things pulling me down. What are yours? Please share.” It’s funny, but it’s also true—some things are meant to be dealt with privately between you and God. There are personal battles that need quiet reflection, not public commentary.

If you diligently deal with those issues, whether it takes a week or a month, I want to prophesy over you: like David, you will recover all (1 Samuel 30:19). You will emerge as a completely transformed person, stronger, wiser, and equipped for the next season of your life. God’s restoration is powerful, and when you align with His will, nothing can stop your breakthrough.