(Ron Edmonson) Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. – 1 Peter 5:8
I’m not a pastor who is constantly looking for Satan behind everything that goes wrong. I concentrate my attention on Jesus and encourage others to follow Jesus—and not to focus on the defeated one. We are to keep “our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith.” Yet, I’m fully aware Satan loves to destroy—or attempt to destroy—a church. Obviously, Satan is a limited being—and God’s church is secure. The gates of hell shall never overcome what God started. But Satan certainly loves to disrupt the work of God’s church—and the work of those who love the church.
Here are seven ways Satan tries to destroy a church:
Church conflict – Satan loves business meetings that get out of hand or when two church members have disagreements inside or outside of church. He loves when church members argue about trivial things, such as colors of the carpet, or big things, such as whether to add another service. Worship style or pastoral authority—doesn’t matter to the evil one. Show him a potential argument and he’s willing to stir the fire—and these days he may use social media to do it.
Staff or volunteer burnout – Satan loves to burn out a church volunteer, staff member or pastor. If he can make them feel they are no longer needed, their work is not appreciated or they no longer have anything to offer—he feels he’s winning part of the battle. He loves to spread the lies of discouragement and unworthiness. CONTINUE
