We often encounter setbacks in our lives and ministries.  But these are designed to bring us to a place of growth and maturity.  Join me, prayerfully, in reflecting on the reasons that we may fail to produce. 

Demonic oppression

Some reasons for failure are due to ignorance, some are due to negligence, but some are due to demonic attack.  Like Paul, we must not be ignorant of Satan’s devices (2 Corinthians 2:11).  The Bible identifies various devices that attempt to sabotage God’s plans.  

There are governmental systems that are assigned to kill the seed, which is Christ, as seen during Herod’s massacre to kill all male infants (Matthew 2:16). Similarly, in Revelation 12:1-4, Satan, symbolised by the dragon, tries to kill the Messiah as He is born, seeking to destroy God’s plan of salvation. The same was seen in Pharoah’s decree to kill all Hebrew male infants (Exodus 1:15-16).  There are modern governmental systems in the Church persecuting the “Mary Company” who are spiritually pregnant with God’s purposes.  Believers must identify and distant themselves from such oppressive systems. 

Jezebel depicts a system of control that manipulates the people of God and stifle God’s voice by eliminating God’s prophets (1 Kings 18:4).  There are religious systems, symbolised by the Scribes and Pharisees who conspired to assassinate Him (Mark 3:6). Absalom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 15:4, 10-13), Sanballat and Tobiah’s plot to assassinate  Nehemiah (Nehemiah 4:7-8), and figures like Korah, Moab, Adonijah, and Athaliah all represent different forms of opposition to God’s established order and seek to undermine legitimate leadership, disrupt God’s work, and gain power through rebellion, deception, betrayal, or manipulation. Their actions symbolise systems that oppose divine authority and try to thwart God’s plans through selfish ambition, violence, confusion, and spiritual corruption. 

We must recognise that our struggle is not against flesh and blood. Just as Satan tried to disrupt Jesus by misusing Scripture to test Him, he will also challenge your identity as a son of God.  In Luke 22:31-32, Jesus warns Peter that Satan desires to “sift” him like wheat—this after Peter’s revelation of Jesus as the Son of God.  Hezekiah, the great reformer, had an Assyrian attack after deeds of righteousness.  Satan’s ultimate aim is to target those who are establishing God’s purpose, particularly those who carry His vision.  He is constantly looking for an accusation and seeking someone to devour. Therefore, we must be aware of his devices.  Be vigilant and ensure that you do not break the hedge of protection around your life (Ecclesiastes 10:8).  If you remain faithful to God, Satan cannot touch you (1 John 5:18).

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. – Ephesians 6:12