As long as God’s people sin against one another, the enemy can rest, but as soon as sin has been dealt with, the enemy must attack once more. Here are some more weapons he uses.
Guile (1–4). Beware when the enemy is smiling and holding out his arms to hug you! We must say no to invitations that compromise our witness (2 Cor. 6:14–7:1) and take us away from the great work God has called us to do.
Accusation (5–9). Satan is both a liar and an accuser (Rev. 12:10); he seeks to slander God’s servants (Job 1:6ff.). When you have a clear conscience (Acts 24:16) and you know how to pray, this weapon will fail to frighten you or stop your work.
Fear (10–19). Jesus had His Judas and Nehemiah had his Shemaiah, an informer who tried to frighten Nehemiah. There were also “family informers” opposing the work (vv. 17–19). But Nehemiah was a true shepherd and not a hireling (v. 13; John 10:11–15). He was not going to flee. The work was completed in a record fifty-two days, and God was glorified.
Keep on Course
A true leader will not desert his or her post, but a hireling flees when the going is tough (Prov. 28:1). The enemy tried to get Jesus to flee, but He refused to alter His course (Luke 13:31–33). Paul continued on his course even though he knew that suffering lay before him (Acts 20:22–24; 21:13). We must always flee sin and temptation (Gen. 39:12; 1 Cor. 6:18; 1 Tim. 6:11; 2 Tim. 2:22), but we must not flee the place of duty.
