Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 

James 4:7 ESV

Key verses: Nehemiah 6; Ephesians 6:16; James 4:7

Recurrent Thought

Christ-devoted followers must understand that by nature, and association with the Christ, they face increased Satan-driven Spiritual attacks which aim to entrap, overcome and defeat them.

Every servant of God who does authentic Kingdom of God work faces opposition. The enemy normally attacks with words, lies, fear, and distraction. In Nehemiah chapter 6, the wall was almost finished. The work was near completion. That is when Sanballat and his companions intensified their attacks. The tactics of the enemies of Nehemiah are a picture of how the Devil fights against believers. The reality is that when God’s people are doing God’s work, the enemy shoots flaming Arrows at them

Paul later describes these attacks as flaming Arrows of the evil one.” (Eph. 6:16, ESV). In the past these were arrow with tips wrapped with fabric soaked in flammable fluids so it would burn with hot and angry flames. Flaming Arrows signifies the intensity and flammability of the Devils tactics. To counter this, before going to battle, Roman soldiers purposely soaked their shields in water until they were completely water-saturated. They did this because they knew the enemy would be shooting fire-bearing arrows in their direction. Every arrow had a potential to begin a bigger fire at the battle-front.

Nehemiah’s experience gives us a living picture of how the arrows shot by the evil one must be quenched. They must be quenched by faith-filled discernment, prayer, and perseverance.

Background

• As the work comes near finishing, the enemies intensifies their attacks.
• They use many different ways to interfere even to the point of wanting to kill Nehemiah
• He sends four times a message that they meet on the plain of Ono ( Nehemiah 6:2-4)
• Fifth time, he was sent an open later with wild accusations of Rebellion. This was supposedly certified by Geshem (6:5-9)
• They hire a Prophet (6:10-13) to instill fear in him by false prophecy.

In this Message we deal with spiritual attacks that believers experience. This is very basic, and it is one of the topics a new believer must learn. However, this is a teaching every believer must constantly revise for we all need the principles from this lesson in our daily walk

Brief Study of Satan, the Enemy

1. Satan is the Scriptural term for the created powerful angelic being, chief of fallen spirits, and the arch-principle of evil.
2. Besides the name Satan, he is called the Devil, the Dragon, the Evil One, the Angel of the Bottomless Pit, the Prince of this World, the Prince of the Power of the Air, the God of this World, Apollyon, Abaddon, Belial, Beelzebub.
3. Satan” and Devil” are the common names he is often known by. Satan is from Hebrew which means “to lie in wait,” “to oppose,” “to be an adversary;” Hence the noun hence, the noun denotes an adversary, or opposer.
4. Devil is a word from the GK Diabolos which means, “to thrust through,” “to carry over,” and, “to inform against,” “to accuse.” He is also called the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10).

I. Flaming Arrows of Distraction ((Neh. 6:1–4)  

1. The First tactic the enemy uses in their attempt to stop God’s work was by pulling God’s servants away from their God-given assignment. This is the weapon of Distraction.
2. Distraction is anything that prevents someone from concentrating or focusing on something else, especially the essential aspect at the moment.
3. The Enemies of the Israel used the Arrow of distraction which came in various ways.
4. Distraction is framed as Compromise

“Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” (6:2)

1. Sanballat’s invitation sounded sounds reasonable and peaceful, but it was a trap. Ono was far from Jerusalem. The enemy did not attack openly; he invited Nehemiah to step away from the work.
2. Many distractions look harmless. A soldier who leaves the wall to talk with the enemy leaves the city exposed.
3. Ask yourself: What is pulling me away from what God clearly called me to do?
4. Distraction Rides on Persistence

And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner (Neh. 6:4, ESV)

1. The enemy did not stop after one refusal. Repetition is a common satanic tactic. The devil will attack relentlessly. Temptation often returns when it first fails (see Matthew 4).

1. But many times when we are not discerning we fail to the same attack that we foiled earlier. Wisdom demands that If the call doesn’t change, the answer shouldn’t either.
2. Be consistent. A firm “no” today must remain “no” tomorrow. Remember that “No” is a full sentence that is usually powerful to ignore

1. Distraction is masked as Subtle Delay

“I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down.” (Neh. 6:3 ESV)

1. Nehemiah knew the value of his calling. Delay can be as destructive as disobedience.
2. It is possible you have pressure to come down from your task, your assignment. You should Value God’s work more than human pressure. You cannot come down when God called you to build up.

II. Flaming Arrows of Defamation (Neh. 6:5–9)

1. The enemies in this text were vigilant and desired to destroy Nehemiah. Therefore, they tried all kinds of tactics. When one failed, they engaged another
2. When distraction failed, the enemy used lies to damage their credibility and create fear. The enemy loves to defame the Children of God.
3. Defamation is the action of damaging the good reputation of someone. This include spoken, written or recorded words, or voice that damage some one’s image or character
4. Defamation is founded on False Accusation

Sanballat sent an open letter with defaming accusation

In it was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king. (Neh. 6:6, ESV)

1. Sanballat used rumors. Of course, lies spread faster than truth. But we must know that a lie repeated is still a lie. He was accused the biggest charge ever: Treason
2. Jesus Himself was accused falsely (Matthew 26:59).
3. Here is a caution: Judge well when to answer. At times it’s not necessary to defend yourself; trust God to defend your name.
4. Defamation tend to Lead to Fear

“For they all made us afraid…” (Nehemiah 6:9, KJV)

1. This was deliberate. Create fear in them to make the work stop. Fear aims to weaken hands. Fear paralyzes service. Recognize fear as a spiritual attack, not just an emotion.

1. Defamation is Quenched by Prayer

Nehemiah Prayed: “Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.” (Neh. 6:9, KJV)

1. Nehemiah did not argue; he prayed. It was a short but powerful Prayer. Short prayers can win long battles

1. Jesus through Prayer, he overcame Satan on behalf of Simon (Luke 22:31-32)

1. Find an excuse to pray for every occasion. This is a powerful discipling lesson. Learn to pray immediately when attacked.

III. Flaming Arrows of Deception (Neh.6:10–14)

1. The enemy had another tactic. He used to spiritually-look deception to produce cowardice.
2. Deception is generated by False Spiritual Counsel

He came to a religious person, Shecaniah, who tried to persuade to go hide in the temple on the guise that he had prophetic word for him. He said that the enemies were about to come and kill him.

Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple. Let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you. They are coming to kill you by night.” (Neh. 6:10, ESV)

1. The advice sounded spiritual but contradicted God’s law. This is significant. Not every religious voice speaks for God. False prophets were common in Israel (Jeremiah 23).
2. To counter false prophecy, test by Scripture, not by fear.
3. Deception usually produce Cowardice
4. Nehemiah saw that this was smokescreen. It was a lie and did not fall for it.

But I said, “Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? I will not go in.”  (Neh. 6:11, ESV)

1. Nehemiah understood his identity and responsibility. Knowing who you are helps you stand where you are.
2. Part of Growing in Christ is to be clear of your identity in Him.
3. Deception is Exposed by Discernment (Neh. 6:12)

By the leading of the Spirit and exposure to the truth he concluded and “perceived that God had not sent him.” (Nehemiah 6:12, KJV)

1. It is essential to grow in discernment. Spiritual discernment exposes satanic schemes. Discernment sees what fear hides.
2. One critical prayer for every believer is to ask God for spiritual perception and discernment

Conclusion

The work of God always advances when God’s people refuse to come down.