Perilous times, like the days in which we live, are exciting times for those believers who recognize the power available in God’s Word. The power of God’s Word will bring to pass every promise He has spoken and every dream He has given.
But for the casual or carnal Christian, these are dangerous times. Those who do not know how to activate the power in God’s Word may easily become caught in the snares the enemy spreads especially for them. In order to spot the traps of the enemy we must know his target. Those who are unaware may easily be caught in snares set for them.
The problem is that many believers don’t spot the traps because they don’t understand the enemy’s target. The assault of the kingdom of darkness against God’s people is centered in destroying the dreams and desires God has deposited in our hearts. Our enemy, Satan, will use any means possible to prevent us from pursuing God’s plan and power. And it may be surprising just who and what he will use to stop us.
The Bible exposes Satan’s last-days strategy in Second Timothy 3:1-5: “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (NJKV).
Notice that the dangers of these times are not the threats from obvious enemies. This scripture did not warn us against God haters or the world’s system. Instead, the assault comes from those who have a form of godliness but who deny its power. The dangers we face emanate from God’s people who have let their love for God grow cold.
Think about the dream of young Joseph and the opposition he faced. One night while Joseph slept, God implanted a dream deep within him that would guide and order his entire life. This dream revealed how God would raise Joseph into a position of authority.
Who was it that Satan used in an attempt to destroy this dream? The attack against Joseph’s dream didn’t come from enemies outside his family. It came from his own brothers.
Amazingly, these same men would later be used to lead Israel as the fathers of the tribes that formed that nation. Yet, when they first heard Joseph’s dream, they were determined to destroy their younger brother even though God was lifting him up. Joseph’s brothers hated him, his dream, and his words.
Joseph’s experience reminds us that not everyone is ready to embrace God’s plan when they first become aware of it. Many times it is wise to keep our God-given dreams to ourselves. We can keep them prayerfully in our hearts, but we do not share them with others.
God’s Word planted in us has a very similar impact to the dream God planted in Joseph to guide and order his life. God’s Word revealed to us contains the plans for our future and the power to move us into His dream. Beware of the dream slayers! Don’t let your God-given dream die!
