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The Bible warns that the enemy is always working to undermine the Church and derail believers from their faith. In John 10:10, Jesus says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” Satan’s strategies against the Church are subtle, deceptive, and often go unnoticed. Here are seven key ways the devil is attacking the Church today:

1. Division Among Believers

One of the devil’s primary tactics is to divide the Church. Whether through doctrinal disagreements, personal conflicts, or cultural differences, division weakens the Body of Christ. Jesus prayed in John 17:21, “that they may all be one.” However, when believers focus more on their differences than their shared faith, they fall into the enemy’s trap. The devil knows that a divided Church is a powerless Church.

2. Twisting the Truth

From the Garden of Eden to today, Satan has been twisting God’s Word to deceive people. He distorts biblical truths, causing confusion and leading many astray. False interpretations and half-truths are used to justify sin, redefine morality, and water down the Gospel. This is why it’s crucial for believers to stay grounded in the Word and discern what is truly from God (2 Timothy 2:15).

3. Compromising Biblical Values

The devil tempts the Church to conform to worldly standards instead of standing firm in God’s truth. Many churches compromise on moral issues to gain cultural acceptance. When biblical principles are sacrificed for popularity, the Church loses its power and witness. Romans 12:2 reminds us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.”

4. Encouraging Self-Promotion Over Humility

Satan fuels pride within the Church by encouraging leaders and believers to seek personal fame and recognition rather than glorifying God. Social media, platforms, and celebrity culture have made it easy to turn ministry into a means of self-promotion. However, true leadership in the Church is about serving, not self-exaltation (Matthew 23:12).

5. Raising Up False Teachers

False teachers have always been a major weapon of the enemy. They preach messages that appeal to people’s desires rather than convicting them of sin. These teachers promote prosperity without repentance, blessings without obedience, and grace without holiness. Jesus warned about wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15), urging believers to test all teachings against Scripture.

6. Creating Spiritual Apathy

Another attack on the Church is fostering apathy—where believers lose passion for God and settle for lukewarm faith. Revelation 3:16 warns about this, saying, “Because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” When people become distracted by comfort, entertainment, or worldly concerns, they lose their spiritual fire.

7. Distracting from the Great Commission

Jesus commanded the Church to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20), but the devil works tirelessly to shift the Church’s focus elsewhere. Whether through internal conflicts, social issues, or personal distractions, many churches become preoccupied with secondary matters and neglect evangelism and discipleship. The enemy knows that when the Church stops fulfilling its mission, its impact diminishes.

How Can the Church Stand Against These Attacks?

The Bible tells us to be alert and stand firm against the enemy’s schemes (Ephesians 6:10-18). Here are a few ways the Church can resist these attacks:

  • Stay rooted in Scripture and teach sound doctrine.
  • Prioritize unity and humility over pride and division.
  • Hold fast to biblical values without compromise.
  • Stay prayerful and dependent on the Holy Spirit.
  • Focus on the Great Commission and spreading the Gospel.

Though the devil is actively working to weaken the Church, we are not defenseless. Jesus declared in Matthew 16:18, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” If believers remain vigilant, prayerful, and steadfast in faith, the Church will continue to shine as a light in the darkness and fulfill its divine mission.

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