Many times, in our prayers as Christians, we sound like people who are always on the defensive. You may not agree with me, but take time to consciously listen to the things you say when you pray. They are mostly things that depict a person who is afraid of the traps of the devil and is crying desperately for God to save him.
There is no problem with asking God for deliverance and expressing your fears of dangerous situations. But if this has become routine, then you are missing out on another part.
The Juice
A couple of weeks ago, something struck me in Matthew 16:18. It says, ” And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Let’s focus, for a moment, on the concluding part of that statement from Jesus. He clearly stated that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the Church. We already know that the Church referred to here are you and I, not the cement structure we visit every Sunday.
In ancient times and even today, when one builds a gate, it is to ward off enemies’ invasion or wandering eyes from seeing what goes on within the compound. The defence cities of the old had walls around them that helped to keep their inhabitants safe from the invaders that crossed that path. So, a gate is built to defend the builder/owner.
Therefore, it follows that the gates of hell have been built by Satan and his cohorts to defend themselves from the Church. The Church is the one in attack(offence) while the gates of hell are defending. All the strategies we see and hear the devil projecting today and all his walls against the advancement of the gospel of Christ.
The gates of hell shall not prevail against the Church of God means that the defence of the enemies shall not prevent or withhold the gospel of Jesus Christ from spreading to all the nations of the earth. Satan cannot and should not prevent us from invading its territory, no matter how much he tries. We, as Christians, are not the ones always defending; Satan is. And despite his defence, we shall penetrate everywhere with the Gospel.
Reflection:
Therefore, put on your whole armour and get out to war. Stop living below your authority as a child of God. Quit yourself as men and fight the gates of hell. The war should not happen in your house but in the house of the devil and his agents. You can return their arrows to them and send some more in addition. Don’t be afraid, have faith. Don’t always be defensive; be on the Offensive!
Quote:
Be strong and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight.
1 Samuel 4:9
