Life Lesson: Responding to Attack

And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18

The church belongs to the Lord; Christ is the Head of the church. Whenever and wherever the building up of the Church, the Body of Christ, is taking place, the enemy tries his best to attack and perhaps, destroy it. But the fact is, the Lord's words stand tall and strong. This is an eternal and universal promised, "the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." Try however much he may, he cannot destroy the Lord's work. Come what may, the saints will stand strong in the Lord. The present seeming defeat is a step to the coming victory!

In the recent attack on the Lord's work in India for which we also had a special fellowship on the 4th of April, I have a deep impression within that the enemy is utterly defeated in spite of the seeming havoc he managed to create in the Lord's move in India, especially in the church in Chennai. All the internal attacks of the enemy through some brothers who are ambitious, with an unrenewed mind, in their spiritual blindness, managed to create a storm in a teacup. But this incident, though negative it may sound, is positively approving the work of the Holy Spirit in that particular local church. It only vindicates the genuineness of His work in and among the saints. Through such a storm in a teacup, the true color of the brothers was exposed. In a sense, this is a good lesson for all the serving ones in the Lord's work to learn. Not that we approve of the negative situation happening, but that, from such, we learn what the Lord wants us to learn in a very positive way.

I personally pray and cover the brothers who are severely being attacked. I pray that the Lord would grace the brother, cover him, fully strengthen him, and also recover back his function in time. I also pray for the brothers who are the "attackers. May their eyes be open to see what foolishness they have committed in their natural zeal, immaturity, and spiritual blindness. May the Lord cover and recover both the culprits and the victim. 

Amidst such attacks, there are some lessons that need to be learned.

Never rejoice at the fall of a brother. Those who do so are evil-hearted brothers. A delight in other's fall, even the slightest delight, is surely a manifestation of an evil heart.

Never spread a rumor about a brother's fall. Blessed are those who cover the nakedness of their brother. Whoever spreads negativity will be invaded by negativity. Learn to cover the brothers, and you will be blessed.

Grief for the church and the brother where such an attack took place. Pray for their restoration. In restoring the brother there will be the blessing.

For there must even be parties among you, that those who are approved may become manifest among you. 1 Corinthians 11:9

The Lord is sovereignly teaching us a life lesson on how to respond to Satan's attack whenever or wherever it may occur. We are not ignorant of his schemes.

That we may not be taken advantage of by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes. 2 Corinthians 2 :11