What is the Devil Really After?
The devil is essentially after two things when it comes to the Christian’s life: 1) your love for God and 2) your calling. All the attacks from the enemy can be summarized into these two categories. The enemy doesn’t really care about how wealthy you are, how healthy you are and how much you advance in your career. In fact, sometimes the devil will even use materialistic blessings to draw us further away from God (Matt 4:9; 6:19-20, 1 Tim 6:17).
This is not to say that the devil is not involved in bringing down your health, relationships and career. He does indeed attack these things. However, these attacks are just a means for him to draw us away from God and deter us from our purpose and calling.
So why does the enemy attack our love for God? Because for the Christian our love for God is the foundation and motivation for everything we do (Mk 12:30-31, 1 Cor 13:2). Our love for God is what ought to motivate every decision that we make. It is our love for God that will give us the strength to do things for God’s glory. The careers that we choose, the relationships we keep close to us, the way we use our money, these things must be funneled through our love for the Lord. This is why the devil will bring all of hell with him to destroy and distract us from growing deeper in love with God.
The devil will also do whatever it takes from stopping us from fulfilling our callings and purpose on this earth. The reason why he attacks our calling is because our callings are directly related to advancing God’s Kingdom (Matt 16:19; 18:18, Acts 1:8). Jesus came to this earth to advance God’s Kingdom and to destroy the works of the devil (Mk 1:15, Lk 17:21, Gal 1:4, 1 Jn 3:8). Many Christians forget that purpose has been handed to us. If Jesus our King came to advance God’s Kingdom and destroy the works of the enemy that is now our purpose and calling as well. Jesus has commissioned us to destroy the works of the enemy (Matt 10:7-8, 1 Jn 4:4)!
Every believer that is still alive is because God has a purpose for him or her to fulfill. That purpose has to do with our callings and advancing God’s Kingdom, which as a result will destroy the devil’s reign on this earth (Matt 6:10, Lk 17:20-21).
So how are we supposed to respond to the attacks from the enemy? Do whatever it takes to grow in your love for God! Remove things in your life that draw you away from God and continue to do the things that draw you closer to Him. Ask yourself, “what things do I do or not do that diminish my love for God? And what are some things that I do that raise my affections for the Lord?” Remove the things that diminish your love and continue to do the things that increase your love for God!
Regarding our callings. My beloved brothers and sisters do not let the enemy bring fear, intimidation and doubt when it comes to your calling. God does indeed have a purpose. A purpose and calling uniquely cut out for you and you only. He is trying to deter you, discourage you and eventually destroy you. Keep at it and do not stop. The enemy will bring discouragement and doubt to your minds as you follow the Lord and your dreams. Remain patient, faithful and courageous. You will overcome!