Strengthen During Spiritual Attacks || 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3 || Weekend Wind-Down #8

Welcome to the eighth week of “Weekend Wind-Down.” This series is where we take the verse of the day, look at the face value interpretation, check the background and context of the verse, do a deeper dive on the focus scripture, and figure out what we can walk away with. 

Today’s verse is 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3, which says this: 

1 Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you. 

2 Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer. 

3 But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.

Face Value

We should pray that God’s word will be accepted wherever it gets shared. Others shouldn’t convince us to stray away from God’s teaching. We can lean on God’s faith because God will strengthen and guard us from those temptations.

Background

Paul wrote this letter to clear up the confusion about the second coming of Christ. Today’s scripture discusses how we can live in the light of Christ’s return. We can be more active in living pure lives, using our time well, and working for His Kingdom. We must only be ready for Christ’s return at all times.

Deep Dive

Beneath the surface of the routine of daily life, invisible spiritual powers are waging a fierce struggle. Our primary defense is prayer that God will protect us from the evil one and strengthen us. The following guidelines can help you prepare for and survive satanic attacks:

• Take the threat of spiritual attacks seriously.
• Pray for strength and help from God.
• Study the Bible to recognize Satan’s style and tactics.
• Memorize scripture so it will be a source of help no matter where you are
• Spend much of your time with those who speak the truth so that you will recognize the truth and be held accountable for it.
• Practice what sound spiritual leaders teach you.

Take-Home Point

My face-value interpretation of this section was off. I wouldn’t’ve expected that we’d be talking about satanic attacks, but here we are. It’s not a common thing we talk about in my church or denomination, really, but it’s something that I’m aware that this wrestling exists. It’s something that I’ve been wrestling with recently to understand the concepts of the heavenly realms and the earthly realms. It surrounds the idea that “If God created everything, and the creation of heaven is a good place, then God must have created a place that is not good.” So, the idea that a force in the universe is “out to get us” feels rational. Let’s look at this list. The idea that these attacks are out there and serious is something I feel like most of us understand, but we don’t call it a “spiritual” or “Satanic” attack. We feel like life is tough and that we have no luck. When we feel this way, we can name it an attack on our Spirit and then go into our battle plan. When we name that the attack is coming, we ask God for strength and guidance. These battles will wear us down and make us weak, but through our weaknesses is when God’s strength shines. We name the battle and name the need for help. We can prepare ourselves by understanding how Satan attacks. It can be helpful to have this knowledge, but it often happens without warning. Less studying can cause us to overthink (see Ecclesiastes 12:12). I don’t have much more to say on this topic because I still need to do my due diligence. Memorizing scripture is crucial. When we’re in this battle, we can spiral out of control. God’s word gives us a firm foundation. Jesus in the wilderness fought with Satan by quoting scripture, and remember Satan knows scripture too. It’s all about knowing the correct verses for the right battles and how to apply them. Surround yourself with those who can fight alongside you. Jesus had 12 people who society viewed as outcasts to walk alongside him and do the work of the gospel. Society doesn’t have the correct answer to how that works, but God will put people in your life for the moments you need them. Practice what you preach. Listen to your spiritual leaders, whether your pastor, Sunday School teachers, small group leaders, or even a trusted church member. God’s wisdom gets shared through unlikely but needed vessels.

Thank you for joining me for this Weekend Wind-Down as we explored strength through the teachings of Paul. Stay tuned for the next reflection. Let me close out with prayer. 

Wondrous God, we thank you for the work you do to prepare us for the battles and hardships of life.

Please help us learn how to fight these battles with you as your spiritual leader. 

Knowing you have won the final war, grant us the confidence to fight these battles in your glory.