Don't Wait To Rebuke the Enemy!!

Don’t wait to rebuke the enemy!

By:: angie c tipton

act now ministries

3.26.2012

Well, today I was out riding my bike around the country side.  I found myself wanting to leave out one of the legs of the 22 mile ride.  The reason I wanted to leave it out is because in this 5 mile stretch, there is a dog that is, let’s just say, “less than friendly.” 

This is the beginning of my 4^th spring/summer to ride through this area.  The first couple of summers, every time I went this way, I was with my bestie, and I guess the dog stayed away because there were 2 of us.  So, I’ve known that this dog is there.  But, I had not seen him chase after people before.  Apparently, he really likes to chase after “lone bikers,” which, I must tell you, is rather terrifying!  The first time he chased after me, I didn’t expect it.  This dog came out of nowhere and I nearly fell off of my bike…and this is not some small teacup Yorkie with “little dog” syndrome either.  This dog is an aggressive Boxer that keeps up a pretty good pace! 

The first time this happened, I felt as if the Lord was comparing the attack of this dog with the attack of the enemy.  You see, this dog caught me totally off guard and yes, I was scared!  I really didn’t even know what to do.  I believe the enemy will and does attack like this.  I have to tell you, I’m not afraid of the enemy because I KNOW that in the name of Jesus, I have authority over him.  But, speaking honestly, I have had moments when the enemy came out of nowhere and caught me off guard and for a brief moment until I got my bearings, I was scared.  If the enemy can get us to operate out of fear, he has won the battle…hands down.  Operating in fear means that you, whether consciously or unconsciously, believe what the enemy is saying, doing or threatening more than what you believe God is saying or doing…Yes, it’s true!

So, when I ride my bike past this house, I have learned to stay totally focused and am totally prepared for this dog.  The thing that amazes me is that this dog does not operate the same way 2 times in a row, much like our enemy.  Take today for instance, I saw the dog lying on the grass.  I kept my eyes straight ahead and paid him no attention…I thought I was in the clear.  HA!! He waited until I was nearly past the house and then came at me from behind.  Still, I held my ground.  You see, through having to deal with this dog, the Lord has taught me some of the tactics of the enemy.  Sometimes he comes at you head on.  Sometimes he comes from what appears to be nowhere. And sometimes, he comes at you from behind.  No matter what his plan of attack is, it is ALWAYS to harm us!  The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.  John 10:10

Now, I have to tell you my husband bought pepper spray for me to use on this dog if I needed to do so.  But, I just haven’t done it…and I don’t really have a good reason for why I haven’t!  I guess I thought that the dog would get used to me and leave me alone…well, that’s just crazy thinking!  I’m beginning to think the dog has me marked and is not going to give up until he has caused me to crash.  Well, he has another thing coming! What I didn’t tell you is that on my ride I have to go past this dog twice…YES, TWICE!  Today was my breaking point!  I decided that I wasn’t going to take this any more and on my way back by, this dog got a healthy dose of pepper spray.  This action, today, was also a lesson on warfare.  Don’t let the enemy mess with you until you’ve had enough and then rebuke him!  Rebuke him or cast him out at the first sign of his appearance!

I know that the enemy, the devil or satan, whatever you prefer to call him, is very subtle at times and we may not even be aware of his tactics at first.  But, as believers, when we are made aware of the appearance of the enemy, we must rebuke him.  Don’t wait to rebuke the enemy!  We have ALL authority in the name of Jesus and spiritual warfare is part of the gig if you’re a believer.  I will even go so far as to say this.  If you are a believer and you find that you don’t have to fight off the enemy, you are probably not doing anything to advance the Kingdom of God.  That may be painful for some of you to hear.  But, it is SO true.  Trust me, the moment that you begin to do something to advance the Kingdom of God, he WILL rare his ugly head. 

¹² 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. ¹³ 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.

¹⁴ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; ¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.  Ephesians 12:12-18 



Be sure to put on the full armor of God, daily!  Plead the blood of Jesus over your home and family, daily!  Everything we need to know to fight the devil is in the bible, but for some reason, it’s not always taught or used.  If you are a Christian, you ARE in a battle!  Be prepared…and don’t wait to rebuke the enemy!  Jesus died to give us that authority…so, use it!