Your Most Spiritually Vulnerable Moment

“The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭6:30-32‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Jesus had sent the disciples out to do ministry in His name. This was their first time going out without Jesus. The ministry trial was so successful that they rejoiced and bragged that even the “demons were subject to us.”

Then Christ made this statement which has made me realize that success is more dangerous than suffering:

“And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭10:18-20‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Notice how Christ redirects their rejoicing. He essentially says, “stop celebrating your success; celebrate your salvation.” Christ turns their minds towards being in relationship with as Him as THE symbol of success versus them doing great things for God.

He illustrates his point first by using Satan as a sad example of this. Christ seems to suggest that Satan’s fall was in large part because he was intoxicated with his own greatness.

I personally know first hand that “pride comes before destruction.” Proverbs 16:18

Almost every time God would use me greatly I would relax spiritually and fall into sin. Success does this. It relaxes our spiritual defenses and causes us to sleep at the wheel.

So am I saying success is evil?

Absolutely not. We need to be successful! God wants us to be successful.

The problem is how we handle success, good days, and times when God blesses us.

Notice what Christ told the disciples to after they had a good day:

“The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭6:30-32‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Did you see it? Did you catch the timeless truth Christ just dropped that can save you from a major fall?

Here it is:

When things go well for you; when you get blessed or used by God go to a “desolate” place. Get alone with God! Humble yourself before Him. Praise Him for the blessing. Get low before Him. Ask for humility and grace. Pray for protection from the attacks of Satan, because when God uses you or blesses you, you become a target of the devil.

Check this sobering quote:

All who follow Christ… will be made a mark for the fierce assaults of Satan.–Desire of Ages p. 224

We are always most vulnerable to Satan’s attacks after our greatest moments.

So here is a formula for the successful:

When you succeed go seek God.