Note: For my summer series I’ll be drawing on inspiration from experiences happening during this more unstructured season. Posts may be less regular, but you’ll still find plenty of biblically rooted inspiration, encouragement, and gentle nudging to let God expand your comfort zone.
Pedaling through verdant fields, past narrow canals, and into bustling towns throughout the lowlands of Europe, one constant always caught my eye—church steeples. They always stood as the tallest points on the horizon or the most noteworthy buildings in town squares. And although many have become more like museums or tourist attractions, they still hold rich biblical symbolism for anyone interested in finding it.
Less than thirty minutes outside of Amsterdam, Saint Bavo’s Church towers above all the other buildings in the picturesque town of Haarlem. Wandering through the cavernous sanctuary felt like going on a treasure hunt as I discovered many objects symbolizing biblical truth. While the vibrant stained-glass windows, enormous pipe organ, and historical artifacts were all impressive, I was most intrigued by the brass hand rail leading down the stairs of the elevated pulpit. It had been shaped into the curving body of a snake ending with the head at the base of the stairs. Puzzled to see a serpent in the church, I learned that it symbolized the enemy slithering away from the Word of God as it is proclaimed from the pulpit.
This striking image calls to mind the temptation of Jesus at the start of His public ministry. While the enemy lures Him to sin, Jesus fights back with Scripture. During the final temptation “Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.” (Matthew 4:10-11, NIV) Note how Jesus fends off the attacks of the enemy using God’s Word. Sometimes as His followers, we don’t behave like we have spiritual authority or remember we have access to this same power, but Scripture makes it clear we do:
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:10-17, NIV)
Recently I found myself in a downward spiral of discouragement. An old relational wound tore open and flooded my mind with convincing lies. The enemy had capitalized on one of my weak spots and was tapping into some longtime insecurities from the past. After two days of wallowing in self pity, I finally fought back using spiritual weapons. Instead of remaining in misery, seeking reassurance from my husband, or trying to numb myself with distractions, I confronted all of the ugly thoughts that had been poisoning my mind.
Sitting alone in my backyard, I wrote until my hand ached, pouring out my struggles to God in my prayer journal. Once I’d purged all my angst and fears, the Lord comforted me through His Word. With my heart softened, God also enabled me to see where I’d let old and unhealthy thought patterns creep back into my mind. I took ownership of the areas I’d sinned, sought forgiveness, and laid down my lingering pain before Him. Focused time reading the Bible and praying changed my perspective and reminded me of deep truth that led to restored peace. The serpent slithered away as I buckled on the belt of truth and recognized how I’d been deceived.
I’ve been attacked spiritually before, but I still fell for the enemy’s lies. It wasn’t enough knowing that spiritual armor was available to me, I had to use it. When do you get lured in by the enemy’s schemes? Are you arming yourself with tools God has given you? Maybe the relaxed pace of summer has distracted you from praying and opening your Bible consistently. Or maybe you’re struggling with anxious thoughts, nagging fears, or challenging relational dynamics. Has the serpent slithered in and magnified an area of weakness in you? Instead of feeling defeated, remind yourself of truth and put what you know into practice. Claim your spiritual authority, engage the armor of God, and send the enemy packing. You can take a deeper dive into this important topic right now by clicking here: “The Armor of God.”
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