Nehemiah 6 -- Seeing the Attacks for What They Were

The walls were finished and the gates were hung.  Nehemiah’s enemies therefore had to try a different angle of attack.  My commentary noted four strategies Satan used in attacking Nehemiah, which he still uses today:

First, it was compromise:  “We will help you work.”  It was time for the enemies to join Nehemiah’s group and then try to take over.  “Once the enemy gets a foothold in a ministry, he starts to weaken the work from within … leaders must take care that they cooperate with the right people at the right time for the right purpose, otherwise they may end up cooperating with the enemy … When you invite the devil to join your team, expect him to change the rules and the goals, and expect to be defeated.”

Nehemiah had three convictions that kept this from happening:  “He knew they were lying and wanted to kill him, he was convinced of the greatness of the work God wanted him to do, and the Jews had nothing in common with Sanballat, so there could be no basis for cooperation,” my commentary said.

Second, it was slander:  “We will tell everybody about you.”  The enemies accused Nehemiah of sedition, of fomenting a rebellion.  How did Nehemiah handle that?  “He simply denied the reports, prayed to God for strength, and went back to work.  He knew that his character was such that no honest person would believe the false reports.  If we take care of our character, we can trust God to take care of our reputation.”

Thirdly, it was threats:  “We will protect your life.”  The enemy tried to tell Nehemiah he was in danger, so he’d go into hiding and be sidelined.  Yet Nehemiah knew that a layman was forbidden from entering the Temple in the law of Moses, and therefore he determined that this was not a message from God.

Finally, it was intrigue:  “We will not give up.”  “Satan is not a quitter, but stays on the field even after it looks as if he has lost the battle.  Many a careless Christian has won the war but afterward lost the victory … If you can’t see Satan working, it’s probably because he has gone underground.  Actually, we are safer when we can see him at work.”

Despite the attacks, Nehemiah persisted, and what he knew, we need to remember – when God begins a work, He completes it.

Father, we need great discernment as Satan attacks us.  Keep us from believing the lies of the enemy.  Allow us to see the truth behind compromise, slander, threats, and intrigue.  These have no place in Christian service.  Allow us to know what is of You and what is of the devil.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford