Opposition to the Work of God: Tips on What To Do
Please notice this post title indicates that opposition to the work of God will come. The enemy leverages attacks upon any Christian committing to God’s will for them. Moreover, he loves getting another Christian to carry out his evil deeds and stop progress.
But that doesn’t mean you and I sit by idly and let it happen. We can continue to deliver truth that’s reliable, trustworthy, and consistent with the character of God. Likewise, we can encourage an opponent to repent from their hurtful indiscretion against others.
II Timothy 2:25 (Amplified)
“He must correct his opponents with courtesy and gentleness, in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and come to know the Truth {that they will perceive and recognize and become accurately acquainted with and acknowledge it}.
What do you do when opposition comes?
Opposition to the Work of God Requires a Plan
The Book of Nehemiah presents a working format to follow when others attempt to stop the plans God puts in your heart. Try to keep one thought uppermost in your mind.
An opponent is restless because they realize you know God. Nastiness comes forth as hatred for your worthwhile accomplishments.
Like Nehemiah, once you’re betrayed you can stay on God’s pathway to success. Right now you may be on your knees from someone’s opposition to your innocent Godly behavior. But learn from Nehemiah how to counteract spiritual assaults.
Background Regarding Opposition to Nehemiah
Babylon fell to Persia so the Jews return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Nehemiah learns from his brother Hanani that Jerusalem’s walls are destroyed and the gates burned. This news breaks Nehemiah’s heart over the condition of his city and his people’s suffering.
Nehemiah makes plans to enact changes and takes the following steps. Keep in mind defiant acts against Jerusalem are directed at God but carried out against His people.
Before Nehemiah Leaves for Jerusalem
- HE PRAYS: Nehemiah weeps and mourns for days; yet, he also fasts and prays before the God of heaven. Obviously, his heart breaks for these events but he finds strength. He communes with God regarding the children of Israel. Specifically, he intercedes for his Jewish family noting their imperfections and sins before God. Namely, he asks for forgiveness and to acknowledge their frailty before so great a God. Nehemiah knows by the end of his prayer that he must go before the King with his petition.
- HE TAKES ACTION: Nehemiah’s threatens his own life by showing sadness before the King. He makes a bold request to become a leader in a city that the King sees as rebellious. Regardless of the consequences, he does what is right on behalf of Jerusalem and especially God.
- HE ASKS FOR FAVOR: In Nehemiah’s initial prayer he asks for mercy in the sight of the King. God answers that prayer favorably. The King grants Nehemiah permission to go to Jerusalem and lead the rebuilding of the wall. Nehemiah’s boss writes letters to the governors so that he can pass through to Judah. The king writes a letter to Asaph to receive timber from the King’s forest for the rebuilding of the wall. He also sends captains of the army and horsemen with Nehemiah. The favor of God remains on Nehemiah throughout this project borne out of prayer. A God-approved project always has His backing.
Opposition to the Work of God While Nehemiah Is In Jerusalem
- ENEMY LAUGHS: Opposition to the work of God starts immediately. Once Nehemiah is in Jerusalem he inspects the various gates. His enemies, Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem accuse him of rebelling against the King. Notice how quickly the enemy comes against the plan God gives to Nehemiah. Some people give up at this level. Just the laughter and mocking are enough to instill fear and halt efforts.
- FAMILY OF GOD WORKS TOGETHER: The Jewish people recognize Nehemiah as a strong leader. Plus, they have a mind to work. They work in harmony (today’s Christians take notice).
- ENEMY IS ANGRY: The enemy sees the excellence of the Jews in body, mind and spirit and is jealous of their accomplishments. The enemy loves to cause trouble and now kicks up the opposition to the work of God to the next level. The enemy attacks God’s people along with Nehemiah. Additionally, the enemy starts mocking the Jews.
- ENEMY CONSPIRES AGAINST GOD’S PEOPLE: As is true to the enemy’s character, opponents come out of the dark like cockroaches. The enemy is against anything that is good in the eyes of the Lord. The adversaries speak these words. “They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease” (Nehemiah 4:11). Do you see the treachery in their hearts and the hatred behind their actions?
- GOD’S PEOPLE RESPOND IN FAITH: The enemy always brings fear to a situation so people stop acting in faith. Nehemiah speaks to the nobles, rulers and the rest of the people to not be afraid of them. He tells them to remember the Lord who is great and terrible and to fight for your family and your houses. What faith!
- GOD’S PEOPLE PROTECT THEMSELVES: Nehemiah rightly discerns that a battle is on. Therefore, he instructs that half of the people work and half of the people hold spears, shields and other weapons. They are determined to complete the project God gave them. Nehemiah provides fresh words of protection and guidance. What can current-day Christians do? We can immerse ourselves in God’s Word. Our fresh words of guidance are anointed words of scripture that we can use freely as weapons of defense. When the enemy comes against us, we must know how to use scripture against him. We must hold our ground against the enemy’s plans to oppose us at every turn.
The Enemy Keeps Up the Pressure
- DIVISION AMONG THE PEOPLE: The enemy works within congregations to bring strife and discord. Nehemiah realizes the Jews receive interest from poor people (their own kinsmen in order to pay the king’s taxes). Nehemiah stops this process at once. The Jews hold fields, vineyards and houses as collateral until the interest is collected. Take note the enemy instills pride and greed in people to cause a root of strife. This unfairness begins as a simple idea yet it goes against the heart of God. He desires for all people to live in freedom and not bondage to another person. God wants all people treated fairly.
- ENEMY SETS A TRAP: Nehemiah spends time with God and is sensitive to God’s voice. Therefore, he knows that Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem are setting a trap to kill him. Nehemiah realizes the nature of his enemy and predicts their steps. We are wise to follow Nehemiah’s discernment.
- ENEMY SPREADS LIES: The three enemies figure out Nehemiah doesn’t fall for their trap. They then identify Nehemiah and the people as potential rebels. Next, they start a rumor that Nehemiah built the wall so he could become the next king. Nehemiah refutes the accusation as nothing more than lies.
- ENEMY HIRES ANOTHER PERSON: When none of these actions by the enemy work, they hire Shemaiah who wants Nehemiah to meet him at the temple. Nehemiah spots this fear tactic of the enemy and know they’ve hatched another evil plan.
- ENEMY STANDS IN AWE: Once the enemy knows they can’t distract someone, they stand in awe and look at the finished work! They finally admit to themselves that God was behind the project. Do they apologize to those they hurt? NO!
- FRIENDS BETRAY NEHEMIAH: Some of the nobles of Judah who worked with Nehemiah were loyal to Tobiah (one of the enemies) because he was related to Shechaniah. An Old Testament prophet, Jeremiah, says, “Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm, and whose heart departs from the Lord” (Jeremiah 17:5). These are words to live by.
After Nehemiah Completes the Project
- GOD’S PERFECT ALIGNMENT: When you complete a God project, you’ll notice something about God. He demonstrates his nature of being a God of order and excellence. For example, Nehemiah assembles the leaders and creates a list of the people who returned to Jerusalem and numbers them. Sometimes we don’t understand why God asks us to do certain things (and may never fully understand). Just know, He has a reason and we must obey His requests.
- NO LACK: In Nehemiah 7:63-73, it’s obvious the extraordinary wealth maintained by the Jews. God is a God of prosperity and wants to bring abundance to ALL His people.
- WORSHIP: After completing the project, Nehemiah holds a worship service. Leaders give the Word of God to the people and teach its meaning. The people rejoice over scripture! It anchors them as a foundation does a building. Without a doubt, they worshipped God during the enemy’s attacks.
- FAST: The people fast and confess their sins. They cry unto their God and worship Him. The leaders remind them of where they came from.
- COVENANT: The people agree to obey God’s law and His commandments as well as other commitments. All of us revisit this aspect of God’s nature and make new or renewed covenants with Him from time to time.
- GOD’S PEOPLE REJOICE: They dedicate the wall of Jerusalem with thanksgiving, singing, harps, cymbals, and psalteries. God loves for us to praise (especially during adversity) for it ushers in blessings.
- PEOPLE GIVE OFFERINGS: In their acts of rejoicing, it was natural for them to offer great sacrifices. They GIVE with unspeakable joy!
- SILENCING THE ENEMY: The enemy simply does not exist in the scripture after they complete the project.
Concluding Thoughts about Opposition to the Work of God
Nehemiah’s sure steps of faith teach us to apply his leadership skills when opposition to the work of God happens. Do not be surprised when the enemy comes to stop you and to stand firm on the vision God gives you. For out of that obedience great things will happen.
You will desire to bring God’s truth to the enemy with courtesy and gentleness so they repent and become fruitful. The seasoned Christian recognizes that God loves all people regardless of their actions. Likewise, He wants us to demonstrate our love for Him in our response to an enemy who dances around us with opposition and attacks.
You may be sad at times as the adversary can be someone you love or someone you think should know better (another Christian). However, God allows us to teach others by our example and how we represent Him in our lives.
Every Christian can stand on either side of the opposition fence. To be hurt or deliver hurt to others. Regardless of where we stand, we can repent quickly from any wrongdoing. By doing so, we help those who hurt others find God’s truth. None of us should want to carry out deceitful plans that come to us as lies from hell.