The title above is the title of a unique book on spiritual warfare written by Mario Murillo, but that declaration best explains some of the thoughts that were stirred up in my heart during my daily reading of the book of Acts…
Acts 19:15 (MESSAGE) “when the evil spirit talked back: ‘I know Jesus and I’ve heard of Paul, BUT WHO ARE YOU?’” In this text, some Jewish men were trying to cast demons out of a man by saying, “In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out” (Acts 19:13 NIV). Of course, the Name of Jesus shakes all of hell itself; but how awesome is this that the name of Paul could cause such a response!
The challenge: Am I a nobody in the enemy’s camp, or have I gained some notoriety?
There was great triumph when the Israelites crossed the Red Sea (Exodus 15:1-3). In their jubilee, they sang “in faith” about how their enemies in Canaan were melting with fear (Exodus 14:14-16). Sadly, it only took a few trials and tests to dissipate that confidence and cause them to long for their “comfort zone” of Egyptian slavery! In fact, after hearing the frightening report of ten of the twelve men who spied out Canaan, they were convinced that marching into the Promised Land would be like parading a plate of food before a hungry bear (Numbers 14:32-33). Where did all that singing and jubilee go? It was nothing but mere doubt and fear that delayed their entrance into that “good land” for forty years.
Fast forward to the book of Joshua. All the previous generation of doubters are gone. Joshua and Caleb, the two spies with the correct report are the only ones of their generation which crossed the Red Sea that are still alive. Just imagine this: It was because of the disbelief of others that these two men had to endure the desert wilderness! Nevertheless, even after forty years of dust-tromping, their faith was just as vigorous as before (if not more so)!
Rahab, a Canaanite woman, told something amazing to the two Israelite spies which had secretly entered into Jericho. What they were about to hear from within the walls of the enemy’s camp surely rolled that previous doubting generation around in their graves in shame! She said, “The hearts of all us Canaanites have been in a molten state of fear ever since the Israelites crossed the Red Sea FORTY YEARS AGO!” (see Joshua 2:8-11) Wow! Apparently the enemy has a much better memory than we do!
If only we could overhear how the enemy camp feels about us, right? Well, there was a fear-stricken man named Gideon who was given such an opportunity. An angel had appeared to him, saying: “The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior!” Yet, those words were not sufficient to boost his courage to do what the Lord was calling him to do. The angel’s response to Gideon’s doubtful questioning was: “Go in this your strength and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?” (Judges 6:11-14 NIV)
Still groveling in his own sea of disbelief, Gideon asked for more signs and God wasted no time responding. One final proof that God gave to Gideon was to send him down to the enemy’s camp to do some eavesdropping (Judges 7:9-15). The words Gideon heard the enemy speak were: “This is nothing less than the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel; God has given Midian and all the camp into his hand.”
Up until that point, Gideon had totally convinced himself that he was supremely insignificant in view of the grand scheme of things. To his utter surprise, he realized that his very name had been shaking the enemy camp! It was this final boost that put Gideon in the saddle of God’s will and he wrought a might victory in spite of overwhelming odds!
Eavesdropping to hear what the enemy is saying about us like Gideon did could definitely boost our faith; but we have something so much better right in our very hands! It is a letter written down in eternally living words by the very Spirit of God! Words forever established in heaven! (Psalm 119:89) We have what God declares about us in His Word, the Bible! Here are just a few of the many declarations. Try these on for size: Psalm 57:2; 60:12; 138:8; Romans 8:37; 2 Corinthians 2:14; Philippians 1:6; 4:13; 1 John 4:4
