The Plans of the Enemy
In times of struggle and discouragement, look to Jesus and consider His sufferings, realizing that difficulties can make us more Christlike and reveal God's power in our weakness.
K.P. Yohannan emphasizes that while God can turn the enemy's plans for our good, we must recognize these as spiritual attacks and be prepared to stand firm. He encourages believers to focus on the Lord during times of struggle, as looking to Jesus helps us overcome discouragement. By shifting our gaze from the horizontal (people's opinions) to the vertical (God's promises), we find strength and encouragement. Our difficulties can lead us to identify with Christ's sufferings, allowing His power to shine through our weaknesses. Ultimately, our struggles can become opportunities for growth and deeper faith.
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Although God is able to take the plans of the enemy and use them for our good, we must also see these as the spiritual attacks that they are. Therefore, we must keep our mind and heart in gear, ready to stand against our adversary and receive the promises of God.
I want to share a few thoughts on things that have helped me in times of struggle and discouragement. God has given us focus in the battle and weapons to fight with.
First, no matter the reason for the discourage ment, think about the Lord. Hebrews 12:1-3 says,
Therefore we also, since we are sur rounded by so great a cloud of wit nesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
It is when we look horizontally that we get discouraged. When we let what people say or think and the expectations people have of us to influence us, then discourage ment sets in. When we look to men (hori zontal) rather than to God (vertical), we easily become weary.
These verses say, "Look unto Jesus" and "consider Him." It is in bringing our lives before the Lord that we find encourage ment. All our troubles and all our reasons for discouragement fade away when we look up and see Him.
When we do this, we realize that the difficulties we face are just another way for us to identify with His sufferings (see Philippians 3:10). He is able to turn them around into a means through which we become more Christlike. Discouragement simply becomes a way for His treasure to shine out through the broken clay vessels that we are (see 2 Corinthians 4:7). In our weakness, He is made strong. "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me" (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV).
Sermon Outline
- The Plans of the Enemy points: - God can use enemy plans for good
- Spiritual Attacks points: - Recognize enemy plans as attacks - Keep mind and heart ready to resist
- Focus in the Battle points: - Think about the Lord - Use God-given focus and weapons
- Looking Vertically points: - Don't let horizontal influences discourage - Look to God, not men
- Encouragement in Christ points: - Bring troubles before the Lord - Find encouragement in His presence
Key Quotes
“It is when we look horizontally that we get discouraged.” — K.P. Yohannan
“In our weakness, He is made strong.” — K.P. Yohannan
“Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.” — K.P. Yohannan
Application Points
- When facing discouragement, bring your troubles before the Lord and find encouragement in His presence.
- Realize that your weaknesses can be used by God to make you more Christlike and reveal His power.
- Boast in your weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on you and His treasure can shine through you.