Matthew 16:13-18 - When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 

Jesus told Peter that the church would be built on the rock of the revelation that Jesus is the Christ. Nothing is more powerful than the church; the enemy doesn't stand a chance against the church of the living God.  

We are the church; the church is made of people, and God intended for us to stand and take our place as a radiant church full of power and authority.  

We know that there is an enemy that opposes the church.  Jesus tells us in the Gospel of John. 

John 10:10 - The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 

The enemy has no power over a born-again believer unless we are ignorant or yield to him in an area of our life. The scripture says:  "Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world."  The enemy knows he can't destroy the church from the outside, so he tries to attack from within.  

He tries to work in believers' hearts to get them distracted, complacent, bickering, discouraged, etc. He wants believers to live a life of defeat. He reminds people of their failures and lack and how their prayers were not answered. He wants them to feel hopeless and powerless. People become defeated when they buy into these thoughts and accept these lies. Jesus told us that the devil was a liar. 

John 8:44...He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 

When you believe the enemy's lies, it's like putting your faith in him.  His lies only lead to discouragement, doubt, and unbelief.  You need to keep your eyes on the truth of God's Word and know the truth so that when the enemy brings his lies to you, you will reject and resist them.  

Don't allow the enemy to be victorious over you. You are born of God and have dominion and authority over the enemy. Don't become complacent and satisfied with where you are spiritually; rise up and pursue the things of the spirit. The enemy is looking to destroy the church, and he tries by working on one person at a time, so don't let him take you off your course. 

As the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, a young minister, to encourage him, his words can also encourage you. 

1 Timothy 6:11-12 - But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I thank you that Jesus gave victory and authority over the enemy to the church. I thank you for setting me free from all enemy tactics through the blood of Christ. I set my mind on the truth of your Word today. I resist the enemy in my thoughts and declare victory over my life in Jesus' name. Amen.