April 10th, 2025
by Dr. Spencer Plumlee
by Dr. Spencer Plumlee
I have never had a season of ministry in which I have seen so many large scale distractions as I have in this one. The year began with a crazy Sunday morning in which my wife Shelley was incapacitated with neck pain and right before I began to preach, my son Noah ran out of the back of the room to throw up. This past Sunday continued this theme as we had a fire alarm go off during the worship service. We still are not 100% sure why this happened. We do know there was no fire.
At the same time, we have never seen a season of ministry in which we have had more growth and advancement for the kingdom of God! We have seen at least one person come to Christ just about every week this year, we are on pace to double the number of people baptized, and the church’s finances continue to be strong.
As I look at the distractions and the growth, I am reminded of what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 16:9:
A wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.
I believe we are at the very beginning of the greatest season of gospel advance this church has ever seen. I also believe that we will face incredible opposition as we move forward. In today’s post, I would like to address the topic of spiritual warfare and the corresponding need we have for vigilance.
REALITY OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. (Ephesians 6:12)
This world is filled with demonic beings who oppose God. These are beings created by God with incredible power and wisdom who in their rebellion against Him have been twisted and warped by evil. There is not a limitless number of demons in the world, but they are real and they are formidable.
They oppose not just God but God’s plans and purposes in this world. Because the church is God’s rescued people on a rescue mission, demonic forces attack the bride of Christ with all their might. This is why Paul describes our interaction with these forces as a “struggle.”
Demonic forces are not God’s opposite. They are not all knowing, all present or all powerful. God is in a class all by himself as the Holy, Eternal One. But this doesn’t mean that these beings aren’t incredibly powerful and deceptive.
The Screwtape Letters, is C.S. Lewis’ fictional correspondence between two demons. In Letter 12, Lewis records one demon advising the other about their task of deception: "The safest road to Hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts." While this is purely fictional, it is an interesting window into the world of darkness, revealing what the Bible does indeed teach: demonic forces are real, formidable and actively opposing the truth.
DANGERS CONCERNING SPIRITUAL WARFARE
There are two dangers concerning spiritual warfare. The first danger is to overestimate demonic powers. While not widespread, there are people who attribute every difficult thing in their life to spiritual warfare. “I chipped a nail. I think the devil is at work!” Chipping a nail is no fun, but we should be slow to attribute every difficulty to demonic powers. Remember, these are beings who are not all-present. They are in one place at a time. Additionally, they typically attack in places and moments designed to have the most potential damage and harm. Given this, I am afraid that people who attribute everything to the demonic could betray a bit of inflated self-importance.
But the second, and more pressing danger for us, is to underestimate demonic powers. We live in a world filled with modern conveniences the likes of which humanity has never seen. Technology has made our lives more efficient as we can with just a few moments on our phone order food, book travel and sign our kids up for summer dance lessons. In a world like this, it is so easy to lose sight of the spiritual world. The unseen world of demonic powers is real and it will be most of our tendency to lose sight of this. Let me challenge you not to underestimate the following things from demonic powers.
Underestimation of Demonic Power
Don’t Underestimate Demonic Deception. The enemy’s craft is half-truths. It is taking the truth and just twisting it ever so slightly. When Adam and Eve are tempted in the garden, the serpent approaches them as an authority on what God has said. When Satan tries to tempt Jesus, he too presents himself as an authority, even quoting Scripture. In your life, the enemy will regularly attempt to take good things like your family or your finances and make them ultimate things you worship. Taking God’s gifts and transforming then into idols we worship is one of the primary ways the enemy attacks. Don’t underestimate them.
One of the remedies to deception is to know the truth so well you can spot a lie. Ground yourself in the Bible. Make reading it a daily goal. Make hearing it preached with your church family a weekly rhythm. Often the enemy will try to get you to believe things about God and yourself that aren’t true. It is usually either, “Look at what you did, God doesn’t love you” or “Look at what you did, you must not be a real Christian.” Counter both of these lies with the truth: God’s love for me is real and I am his child. Claiming the truth of God’s word to your own heart is a critical way to protect against deception.
Don’t Underestimate Demonic Discouragement.
Listen to Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9.
For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of our affliction that took place in Asia: we were completely overwhelmed—beyond our ability to endure—so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.
Discouragement in the Christian life is real. The sin-sick world we live in is just too much to bear sometimes. By discouragement I mean an extreme feeling of defeat and despair that is difficult to shake. Oftentimes the discouragement we feel is demonic. The enemy will attempt to make a particular moment feel bigger than it actually is. You will feel as if one defeat means your life is over. This lack of perspective is oftentimes an attack from the enemy that seeks to bring God’s children down. Don’t underestimate the enemy’s discouragement.
One of the remedies to discouragement is persevering with God’s promises and God’s people. So often the remedy I have found to demonic discouragement is to tell myself the truth of God’s word. “No, I am not forsaken. God said he would never leave me or forsake me!” But as powerful as that is in my life personally, can I tell you that it is even more powerful when another believer listens to me, shares by heart, prays for me and then tells me the truth! Persevere in community with other believers to fight off the attack of the enemy.
Don’t Underestimate Demonic Division. Another way the enemy attacks is by trying to get Christians to fight with one another. To be clear, there is a time and place believer’s can and should divide. Consider how Paul and Barnabas went separate ways in Acts 15:39-40
They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed off to Cyprus. But Paul chose Silas and departed, after being commended by the brothers and sisters to the grace of the Lord.
I don’t believe demonic powers caused Paul and Barnabas to divide. Christians may end up leaving a church or distancing themselves from other believers for legitimate reasons like doctrine, philosophy of ministry, or just personality differences. But even in these instances, we continue to love each other (sometimes from a distance!) and we express our disagreement with gentleness and respect.
The enemy wants you to stir up conflict, especially in the church, by assuming the worst of another Christian. It is so easy to assume impure or evil motives behind another person’s actions. Because the body of Christ is meant to be an embassy of heaven, demonstrating the love of Jesus through our love for one another, the church is a place the enemy works harder than ever to divide. Don’t underestimate this.
I think it is particularly important that in this season in our church family, we are vigilantly guarding the unity of the body. As we pray about the name Christ Fellowship Church, let’s all work hard to assume the best of one another, especially those with whom we might disagree.
I have gone on record publicly to say that I haven’t handled every moment in this name change process well. At times, even in a sermon, I have been too intense and harsh in expressing my convictions about the need for a name change. I want to say how thankful I am for those of you who took the time to gently call me out and who in the same way were quick to extend forgiveness and grace as I repented.
It is important to reaffirm what our elders have said all throughout this process: our unity as a body is bigger than a name change. It is bigger than our differences of opinion about this, as important as they might be. I in no way believe our elders, starting with me, are infallible or are even capable of answering every question or concern the church has raised. There have been a number of moments recently where people have asked questions to which I have had to respond, “You've got a good point. Not sure I have a good answer to that. We will have to wait and see if your concern bears fruit.”
The remedy I am suggesting is humility and gentleness in our relationships with others. Approach others in a spirit of humility. Seek to love them the way Jesus loves you! And when you do have to express a disagreement, do so with a gentle spirit. How you say things can be just as important as what you say, especially when we have to say hard things to one another.
Don’t underestimate the enemy’s desire to divide, discourage and deceive our church family.
THROW UP AND FIRE DRILLS
I believe the distractions we have experienced in corporate worship are most likely demonic attempts to discourage. Is it possible that I am overestimating the enemy here? Maybe. But I have a hard time believing that the kind of distractions we have experienced are just random. The fire alarm NEVER goes off. Is it really the case that it just happened to go off, right as we were hearing a testimony from one of our students about evangelism? Is it just coincidence that Noah had to throw up right before I was about to preach? I think not. I think that as the church is advancing, the enemy is opposing.
In this season, pray for our church family. Advance is happening, but so is opposition. Pray for our unity, vitality and boldness to declare the gospel. Pray for our leaders, namely our elders, staff and deacons. Pray they would stay close and cling to the Lord. Finally, I would ask for prayer for me. The enemy knows that if he discourages the pastor who does the majority of the preaching, he can impact the most people. Pray for my holiness. Pray for my marriage. Pray for my kids. I know so many of you do, and please know that when you tell me that, it encourages me like nothing else.
Finally, believe that Jesus Christ is greater. I’ll finish with these words from John 16:33:
I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.
At the same time, we have never seen a season of ministry in which we have had more growth and advancement for the kingdom of God! We have seen at least one person come to Christ just about every week this year, we are on pace to double the number of people baptized, and the church’s finances continue to be strong.
As I look at the distractions and the growth, I am reminded of what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 16:9:
A wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.
I believe we are at the very beginning of the greatest season of gospel advance this church has ever seen. I also believe that we will face incredible opposition as we move forward. In today’s post, I would like to address the topic of spiritual warfare and the corresponding need we have for vigilance.
REALITY OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. (Ephesians 6:12)
This world is filled with demonic beings who oppose God. These are beings created by God with incredible power and wisdom who in their rebellion against Him have been twisted and warped by evil. There is not a limitless number of demons in the world, but they are real and they are formidable.
They oppose not just God but God’s plans and purposes in this world. Because the church is God’s rescued people on a rescue mission, demonic forces attack the bride of Christ with all their might. This is why Paul describes our interaction with these forces as a “struggle.”
Demonic forces are not God’s opposite. They are not all knowing, all present or all powerful. God is in a class all by himself as the Holy, Eternal One. But this doesn’t mean that these beings aren’t incredibly powerful and deceptive.
The Screwtape Letters, is C.S. Lewis’ fictional correspondence between two demons. In Letter 12, Lewis records one demon advising the other about their task of deception: "The safest road to Hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts." While this is purely fictional, it is an interesting window into the world of darkness, revealing what the Bible does indeed teach: demonic forces are real, formidable and actively opposing the truth.
DANGERS CONCERNING SPIRITUAL WARFARE
There are two dangers concerning spiritual warfare. The first danger is to overestimate demonic powers. While not widespread, there are people who attribute every difficult thing in their life to spiritual warfare. “I chipped a nail. I think the devil is at work!” Chipping a nail is no fun, but we should be slow to attribute every difficulty to demonic powers. Remember, these are beings who are not all-present. They are in one place at a time. Additionally, they typically attack in places and moments designed to have the most potential damage and harm. Given this, I am afraid that people who attribute everything to the demonic could betray a bit of inflated self-importance.
But the second, and more pressing danger for us, is to underestimate demonic powers. We live in a world filled with modern conveniences the likes of which humanity has never seen. Technology has made our lives more efficient as we can with just a few moments on our phone order food, book travel and sign our kids up for summer dance lessons. In a world like this, it is so easy to lose sight of the spiritual world. The unseen world of demonic powers is real and it will be most of our tendency to lose sight of this. Let me challenge you not to underestimate the following things from demonic powers.
Underestimation of Demonic Power
Don’t Underestimate Demonic Deception. The enemy’s craft is half-truths. It is taking the truth and just twisting it ever so slightly. When Adam and Eve are tempted in the garden, the serpent approaches them as an authority on what God has said. When Satan tries to tempt Jesus, he too presents himself as an authority, even quoting Scripture. In your life, the enemy will regularly attempt to take good things like your family or your finances and make them ultimate things you worship. Taking God’s gifts and transforming then into idols we worship is one of the primary ways the enemy attacks. Don’t underestimate them.
One of the remedies to deception is to know the truth so well you can spot a lie. Ground yourself in the Bible. Make reading it a daily goal. Make hearing it preached with your church family a weekly rhythm. Often the enemy will try to get you to believe things about God and yourself that aren’t true. It is usually either, “Look at what you did, God doesn’t love you” or “Look at what you did, you must not be a real Christian.” Counter both of these lies with the truth: God’s love for me is real and I am his child. Claiming the truth of God’s word to your own heart is a critical way to protect against deception.
Don’t Underestimate Demonic Discouragement.
Listen to Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9.
For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of our affliction that took place in Asia: we were completely overwhelmed—beyond our ability to endure—so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.
Discouragement in the Christian life is real. The sin-sick world we live in is just too much to bear sometimes. By discouragement I mean an extreme feeling of defeat and despair that is difficult to shake. Oftentimes the discouragement we feel is demonic. The enemy will attempt to make a particular moment feel bigger than it actually is. You will feel as if one defeat means your life is over. This lack of perspective is oftentimes an attack from the enemy that seeks to bring God’s children down. Don’t underestimate the enemy’s discouragement.
One of the remedies to discouragement is persevering with God’s promises and God’s people. So often the remedy I have found to demonic discouragement is to tell myself the truth of God’s word. “No, I am not forsaken. God said he would never leave me or forsake me!” But as powerful as that is in my life personally, can I tell you that it is even more powerful when another believer listens to me, shares by heart, prays for me and then tells me the truth! Persevere in community with other believers to fight off the attack of the enemy.
Don’t Underestimate Demonic Division. Another way the enemy attacks is by trying to get Christians to fight with one another. To be clear, there is a time and place believer’s can and should divide. Consider how Paul and Barnabas went separate ways in Acts 15:39-40
They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed off to Cyprus. But Paul chose Silas and departed, after being commended by the brothers and sisters to the grace of the Lord.
I don’t believe demonic powers caused Paul and Barnabas to divide. Christians may end up leaving a church or distancing themselves from other believers for legitimate reasons like doctrine, philosophy of ministry, or just personality differences. But even in these instances, we continue to love each other (sometimes from a distance!) and we express our disagreement with gentleness and respect.
The enemy wants you to stir up conflict, especially in the church, by assuming the worst of another Christian. It is so easy to assume impure or evil motives behind another person’s actions. Because the body of Christ is meant to be an embassy of heaven, demonstrating the love of Jesus through our love for one another, the church is a place the enemy works harder than ever to divide. Don’t underestimate this.
I think it is particularly important that in this season in our church family, we are vigilantly guarding the unity of the body. As we pray about the name Christ Fellowship Church, let’s all work hard to assume the best of one another, especially those with whom we might disagree.
I have gone on record publicly to say that I haven’t handled every moment in this name change process well. At times, even in a sermon, I have been too intense and harsh in expressing my convictions about the need for a name change. I want to say how thankful I am for those of you who took the time to gently call me out and who in the same way were quick to extend forgiveness and grace as I repented.
It is important to reaffirm what our elders have said all throughout this process: our unity as a body is bigger than a name change. It is bigger than our differences of opinion about this, as important as they might be. I in no way believe our elders, starting with me, are infallible or are even capable of answering every question or concern the church has raised. There have been a number of moments recently where people have asked questions to which I have had to respond, “You've got a good point. Not sure I have a good answer to that. We will have to wait and see if your concern bears fruit.”
The remedy I am suggesting is humility and gentleness in our relationships with others. Approach others in a spirit of humility. Seek to love them the way Jesus loves you! And when you do have to express a disagreement, do so with a gentle spirit. How you say things can be just as important as what you say, especially when we have to say hard things to one another.
Don’t underestimate the enemy’s desire to divide, discourage and deceive our church family.
THROW UP AND FIRE DRILLS
I believe the distractions we have experienced in corporate worship are most likely demonic attempts to discourage. Is it possible that I am overestimating the enemy here? Maybe. But I have a hard time believing that the kind of distractions we have experienced are just random. The fire alarm NEVER goes off. Is it really the case that it just happened to go off, right as we were hearing a testimony from one of our students about evangelism? Is it just coincidence that Noah had to throw up right before I was about to preach? I think not. I think that as the church is advancing, the enemy is opposing.
In this season, pray for our church family. Advance is happening, but so is opposition. Pray for our unity, vitality and boldness to declare the gospel. Pray for our leaders, namely our elders, staff and deacons. Pray they would stay close and cling to the Lord. Finally, I would ask for prayer for me. The enemy knows that if he discourages the pastor who does the majority of the preaching, he can impact the most people. Pray for my holiness. Pray for my marriage. Pray for my kids. I know so many of you do, and please know that when you tell me that, it encourages me like nothing else.
Finally, believe that Jesus Christ is greater. I’ll finish with these words from John 16:33:
I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.
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