When we set out to pursue God’s purposes and mission for the Church, we develop a vision for where that could take us, what it could look like. Then we set goals to get there. As we cast that vision with the Body, we can run into resistance. Some will be fleshly, because of people finding change difficult or they’re setting their sights on their own interests rather than God’s (Phil. 2:1-4, 21). Some resistance, however, will be spiritual in nature wherein the enemy, Satan, comes against us to keep us from moving forward. We need spiritual means to fight spiritual battles (2 Cor. 10:4).
How Satan Works Toward Keeping Us from Achieving Our Vision and Goals
It helps to understand that Satan is a schemer (2 Cor. 2:11). He strategizes how to keep us from going where God wants us to go. Rather than a full on frontal attack against the vision, he might come in the back door attacking in unrelated ways that serve as just a great of a distraction. Or, he might try to get us to tack on something extra that appears to be something good but isn’t of God.
We must remember that he’s a deceiver, the father of lies (Jn. 8:44), who will try to trick us into believing something is okay with God when it isn’t, like he did with Eve in the Garden (2 Cor. 11:3). Satan “masquerades as an angel of light”, and may use people we would least expect to bring resistance, discord, and discouragement (2 Cor. 11:14-15).
The enemy might throw darts of doubt fear, and uncertainty our way (Eph. 6:16), causing people to question the direction God would take us. Like a roaring lion, Satan is ready to pounce the moment we let our guard down (1 Pet. 5:8).
Grab Hold of the Means God Provides to Protect Us
As leaders, we might be tempted to do everything we can to protect our vision and goals. When engaged in a spiritual battle, that is futile.
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. (2 Cor. 10:3-4)
We must grab hold of spiritual means, that which comes from God, and not rely on ourselves.
1) Don’t rely on your own wisdom.
We need to ask God for wisdom and insight to see through the schemes of the enemy (James 1:5). It isn’t a coincidence that immediately following a list of God’s armor in Ephesians 6 that we read, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Eph. 6:18)
2) Don’t rely on your own efforts.
We are to “take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (Eph. 6:16). The One in whom we place our trust, protects us. He is sufficient for the battle, not us. — “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” (2 Cor. 10:4)
3) Don’t rely on your own words.
The piece of spiritual armor that can be used both offensively and defensively is “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17). When tempted by the devil, Jesus used God’s Word as His sword each time. He said, “it is written” (Matt. 4:1-11). If Jesus relied on the written Word of God, certainly we shouldn’t think our own words will be sufficient.
4) Don’t rely on your own choice of spiritual armor.
We can stand firm against the attacks of the enemy and be overcomers when we put on the full armor of God (Eph. 6:10-17). The armor is multi-faceted but doesn’t come as a pick and choose option. We’re to put on the full armor. If we approach the spiritual resistance in pursuing our vision and goals by taking up only the piece of armor we know best or feel most comfortable with, Satan will hit from another angle. Remember, he’s a schemer.
When our vision and goals truly lead to the accomplishment of God’s purposes and mission, resistance will undoubtedly come. Let’s rely on God’s power, using the means He provides to overcome and keep moving forward.
For More, Go To: Resources on Divine Weapons for Spiritual Warfare
All Posts about Vision Casting & Goal-Setting:
- Have a Vision that Expresses Your Purpose?
- Have a Vision That Clarifies Your Purpose?
- Have a Vision Challenging Enough to Reach Your Purpose?
- Who Sets the Vision?
- Behind the Great Commission
- Good Example of Mission & Vision
- No Specific Examples of Goals in the Great Commission?
- Christ-like Intent in Vision & Goal-Setting
- Christ-like Pursuit of Vision & Goals
- Christ as the Focus, Not the Vision & Goals
- Power to Grasp and Implement a New Vision for the Church
- Vision and Goals Born Out of Prayer
- Vision and Goals Grounded in the Gospel
- Vision and Goals Enveloped by Grace
- Vision and Goals Guided by the Holy Spirit
- Vision and Goals Pursued Through Spiritual Gifting
- Where Might God Want to Take Your Church?
- Vision Casting That Engages People
- Goal-Setting to Reach Our Vision
- Vision and Goals Protected by Spiritual Means
- Vision Problems Solved
- Vision and Goals Reflect the Hope We Have?
- Vision and Goals Rooted in God’s Word
- How a Leader’s Roles Affects Vision and Goals
Shalom, I have just came across on this page and found it very useful and very powerful. May God bless you. Thank you so much
You are welcome, Alice. May God bless you as well and use these truths to strengthen, encourage, and propel you and your church forward to His glory under His protective arm.