DON’T FORGET TO LOCK THE GATE

PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY FROM THE ENEMY’S ATTACK

Introduction: It was around 1997 when a newly met church attender spoke to me after a meeting. I shared some awesome things that were happening in the planting of a new church and the raising up of a church movement in the Philippines. He simply said, “When you go to war, don’t forget to lock the gate to your house.”

The significance of this word soon became clear. While I saw some of the greatest breakthroughs in my ministry, my family went through some of the greatest challenges we had ever gone through.

I mentioned this in my sermon last Sunday called, “Taking back what the devil has stolen.” It was from the story of David’s crisis at Ziklag mentioned in I Samuel 30. While David was out conquering land for God, the Amalekites snuck in, destroyed his city and kidnapped all his fighting men’s wives and children, along with all their possessions.

Sometimes as we’re doing the Lord’s work, we forget that we are in a battle (Ephesians 6:10-12). The enemy is ok with us creating great ministries if he can steal our families. We are encouraged by Paul to be sure that we are continually putting on the armor of God, winning our battles in the Spirit at home and as we go to conquer the world. I’ve learned the hard way that when the arrows start flying, it can be too late to remember to put on the armor. Our greatest victories in life will be the victories that we may not have even had to fight, because the enemy was defeated before he could attack.

What does that look like

1. It means that we shouldn’t be ignorant of the enemy’s devices (2 Corinthians 2:11).

God wants to help us be strategically aware of our weak spots. Satan is looking for our ‘Achilles Heel.’

I believe it is not only important to pray with our spouses and kids, but to seek to have honest and accountable conversations with them to help discern each other’s week points. Our first line of defense is our prayer and support to each other in our family. I believe this is greatly enhanced when we have a close group of trusted friends who know us well and can pray and hold us accountable for these areas.

2. Pre-prepare and decide how we should be prepared for these areas. Here is a list of things that I need to be sure the gates are monitored and locked in my life.

• Have I overcommitted myself in my schedule, so that communication has suffered and our marriage is operating close to empty?

• Have we spent significant time to have meaningful communication, so essential for strong

relationships? Neglect in this area is an open gate.

• Are there areas we are living with secrets, where unresolved hurt, blame, fantasy, or depression could be sneaking in?

• Are we aware and monitoring what is going on with our kids’ relationships and who is influencing them?

• Have I begun to operate in the flesh, trying to do things in my own power to fix people, prove my ability and worth or begun to operate out of comparison or competition?

• Is there an elephant in the room in our family or ministry that is going to sabotage things if not addressed?

• Are there people beginning to operate in our lives who are bringing a toxic culture?

• Am I trying to do more than the Holy Spirit is leading?

What if we find ourselves, like David did on the other side of regret and heartbreak? We are facing the fact that the enemy snuck in and stole something precious in our family?

The Good News is that God can give us grace, strategy, and opportunity to take back what the devil has stolen. Joel 2:25 says, He will restore what the locust has eaten. That can happen when we choose to withdraw from the voices of hopelessness and despair and dare to step into audacious hope based on the promises of God. We mentioned how bold Joseph was in declaring to his brothers, who betrayed him and sold him into slavery, “What you meant for evil, God meant for good” (Genesis 50:20).

• We can expect and receive a word or revelation of action from God. We said for every wound God has a word; for every devastation God has a revelation.

• We can unite as a family in faith, believing what God can do to work towards reconciliation and recovery.

• We can let God turn our graves into gardens, ashes into beauty by letting the story of our restoration bring faith and keys to help others in their recovery.

Questions For Discussion

1. We mentioned in the sermon about antiques and how old things can become even more valuable when they are restored. Do you have a favorite antique or heirloom you keep in your house or memory? How has God created a spiritual treasure in your life by redeeming a painful situation in your past?

2. As you think about locking your gate, what are some weapons Satan has regularly tried to use to bring chaos into your home or family?

3. What are some key steps you are going to take to more effectively prepare to spiritually guard and protect your family relationships?

4. How could we pray with you to restore something the enemy has stolen?