“Christian” is more than an assignment to a religious group; it means “anointed one.” You are a beloved, royal daughter of the Most High God. The enemy’s tactics are different with each of us, and he will do all within his power to hinder or bend your growth to his purposes and distract you from your destiny.
When you were born again, you left normal behind. This doesn’t mean you became weird or abnormal; it just means you were stripped of average and common when you were covered in His righteousness. You may live in this earthly time period, but you are ultimately a daughter of eternity.
Know You Are a Target
The fact that you are female makes you a more specific target and the worthy recipient of Satan’s enmity.
“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring” (Gen. 3:15).
Enmity is “deep-rooted hatred and irreconcilable hostility.” This describes a breach so profound that with each passing generation, Satan’s hostility and hatred deepen because he knows he’s running out of time. Never has his attack against women and children been more wicked, obvious and widespread.
In addition to the atrocity of sex trafficking, there is undeniable evidence that conservatively estimates 50 million women are presently missing from the Earth. What do I mean by “missing”? These daughters are gone, meaning they were never born or were killed at birth.
The major reason for their disappearance is the evil practice of gendercide. Just as genocide is slaughter based on race, gendercide is slaughter based on gender.
I believe we are on the threshold of yet another release from human oppression and captivity, but this time, it is the girls, not the boys, who are the target. Satan is not able to touch our bridegroom, Jesus, so his onslaught is now waged against the bride of Christ.
“Then the dragon was angry with the woman, and he went to wage war with the remnant of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 12:17).
In her book, Unnatural Selection, Mara Hvistendahl cites statistics that show this outrage may be more than a startling 160 million baby girls lost. In countries such as China, India and Pakistan and on the continent of Africa, simply being a girl endangers your life. It could mean pre-emptive abortion, abuse, trafficking, neglect or honor killing.
Lovely one, you should not imagine you are safe just because you do not live in a developing nation. Your birth location just means you will be targeted in a different way and from another angle. I believe he is already working hard to distract you, diminish your role and divide you from your purpose so you will never give birth to God’s plan for your life.
I do not share these things to frighten you. I want you to know the weight of your moment in history. As a daughter of this age, the target dynamic is a certainty. The hero factor is a choice.
This is not an earthly battle. This conflict is ultimately with spiritual wickedness in high places, and therefore, it will require heavenly strategy, prayer, unity and, of course, a sword.
Turn from the numbers. As horrible as they are, they only hint of a greater darkness. It is time you lift your eyes and lend your voice to what heaven would want to speak into this void. The storyline is set. On one side, a relentlessly cruel enemy is perpetually bent on your destruction, and on the other side, a magnificent Prince of unfailing love is equally determined that you realize all He created you to be. The role you choose to play in this altercation is what is in question. Will you be an unarmed civilian, victim, prisoner of war or hero?
“There is no neutral ground in the universe; every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counterclaimed by Satan,” C.S. Lewis says.
There is no middle ground. It is only a matter of time before you must join one side or another. It is always better to predetermine your position with decisive intention rather than have it chosen for you by passive default. Remember, God chose you before He even created the Earth.
“In Him also we have received an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His own will, that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, should live for the praise of His glory. In Him you also, after hearing the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and after believing in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory” (Eph. 1:11-14).
Becoming who God created you to be is at once your best offense and your best defense against all the enemy’s strategies. He obviously didn’t stop you from drawing breath, so now it is time to keep him from aborting the life God planted inside you. When the enemy oppresses us, it is always because he fears what we might become.
I believe you are positioned to become an extraordinary, heroic daughter of the Most High God—one who behaves virtuously, matures brilliantly and lives with the intent of enhancing the lives of others. So lean into God, lift your sword, boldly pray His Word and show the enemy the lovely face of a hero.
Lisa Bevere is the author of several best-sellers, including Lioness Arising, Fight Like a Girl and Kissed the Girls and Made Them Cry, and travels the globe speaking at events such as Propel, Hillsong Colour Your World and Joyce Meyer conferences. This article is based on content from Girls With Swords (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group). Follow her on Facebook (facebook.com/lisabevere.page) and Twitter (@lisabevere).
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