Day 3 of 40 Days of Lent: 5 Ways To Defeat External Adversaries

MOOD MUSIC FOR REAL

For a Godly soul, it is only natural that the godless emerge when they sense movement. I am grateful for the Yoruba blood and DNA that flows through me, for it calls me to stay vigilant, to look alive.

Friday—Òjò Ẹtì—is traditionally regarded as the "Day of Deadlock," a day where adversarial forces press their advantage, pushing domination to its limit. It may be Ẹtì (a 50/50 day), but I am certain of one thing: neither my adversary nor I will claim victory in battle today. Why? Because I was already moving in surrender before the thief even approached.

All that I have, all that I am, is secured in God's custody—my refuge and my portion in the land of the living (Psalm 142). And that? That is an automatic K.O. The battle is already won.

All glory, all praise, all victory belongs to God. Today makes for a value lesson.

The righteous walk a path of purpose, shaped by divine intention and clarity. But along this journey, there are those whose very nature compels them to destroy the works of God they can see because they lack the power to touch the God they cannot. These individuals are not merely obstacles; they are saboteurs, programmed by their own nature to tear down, distract, and steal.

As John 10: 10 states:

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

As John 8:44 states:

"You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies."

This is a truth one must grasp early: not all people are children of God. Some are driven by a different force, an opposing will, one that thrives in deception, disruption, and destruction. They do not create; they corrupt. They do not build; they tear down. Their only joy is in the ruin of another, particularly one who carries the divine essence within because they themselves DO NOT possess the God Molecule.

As John 15:18-26 states:

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.  If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also.  If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father.  But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’ “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning."

A Tale of Strength and Divine Focus

Ezra was a man of vision, a craftsman chosen to build something extraordinary. His work was pure, his intentions righteous, and his purpose unwavering. Yet, from the moment he set his hands to create, a man named Malek appeared, determined to derail him. Malek did not openly oppose Ezra—no, that would have been too obvious. Instead, he wove his opposition in whispers and schemes, planting doubts, sowing discord, and creating unnecessary battles to divert Ezra’s focus.

The attacks were not always direct. Malek would disguise insults as jokes, challenge Ezra’s credibility in the eyes of others, and create delays that forced Ezra to spend energy fixing problems rather than progressing in his work. He hoped to wear Ezra down, to make him abandon his task so that he could step in and claim the spoils.

At first, Ezra fell into the trap. He diverted his energy to defending himself, putting out fires, explaining himself to those deceived by Malek’s words. But then, clarity came: this was not about the work itself; it was about stopping the work from happening at all.

Ezra made a decision—he would no longer engage. Instead, he pressed forward, pouring all his energy into completing his work. He refused to answer Malek’s provocations, ignored his distractions, and rejected the snare of reaction. And when the time came, Ezra stood victorious, his work completed, his purpose fulfilled. Only then, on his own terms, did he address Malek, not as an equal but as a conquered adversary.

Lessons in Overcoming the Godless Saboteur

Recognize Their Nature – Not all opposition is innocent. Some people are programmed to destroy. Accept that there are those who serve a different master, and their goal is not to challenge you but to stop you altogether.

Do Not Engage in Distraction Battles – As John 15:18-26 reminds us, the world will hate those who carry God’s essence because they first hated Him.

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18)

Engaging with these individuals drains energy meant for your purpose. They thrive when you stop working to fight them. Do not give them that satisfaction.

Protect Your Focus – When faced with opposition, ask yourself: Does this move me forward or is this a distraction? If it does not serve your purpose, it is a trap. Press on.

Know When to Speak and When to Remain Silent – Proverbs 26:4-5 offers wisdom here:

"Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes."

There is a time to ignore and a time to set the record straight, but never let their chaos dictate your actions

Finish First, Deal with Them Later – Prioritize your mission. Let your success be your answer. Once you have secured your purpose, you will be in a position of strength to address your adversary, if necessary, on your own terms.

Final Word

The battle against the godless is not always fought with swords, but with discipline, wisdom, and divine focus. Not all humans carry the God-molecule; some are driven by the father of lies, as John 8:44 makes clear. Understand this and move accordingly. Your best defense against those who seek to destroy is not to become entangled in their games but to finish the work God has placed in your hands. Victory is not merely in defeating them—it is in proving that they were powerless to stop you. Stand firm, move forward, and let no distraction keep you from your divine purpose.

A Mighty Prayer for the Removal of Adversaries

Heavenly Father, the Almighty and Righteous Judge, I come before You in the authority You have given me, calling upon Your divine justice to move against those who rise up in opposition to Your will for my life. You are the God who sees, the God who hears, and the God who defends the righteous. You have declared in Psalm 37:12-13:

"The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him, but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for He sees that his day is coming."

Lord, let their day come swiftly. Those who seek to hinder my purpose, those who sow confusion, those who work in darkness to delay, distract, and destroy—let their own devices turn against them. Let their plans crumble into dust, their words return upon their own heads, and their schemes be exposed and rendered powerless.

Father, You have said in Deuteronomy 28:7:

"The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before you. They shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways."

Let it be so! Scatter them, Lord! Confound their tongues, turn their alliances into discord, make their strength as nothing before You. Where they have plotted evil, let them fall into their own traps. Where they have spoken falsehoods, let the truth rise and silence them. Where they have sought to steal, let their hands be bound by Your divine justice.

Mighty God, I do not seek vengeance with my own hands, for Romans 12:19 reminds me:

"Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord."

So I release them into Your hands. Remove them from my path, cut their influence, and strip away their power. Let them be too busy with their own downfall to stand against me any longer. I will not be distracted. I will not be delayed. I will not be diminished. My eyes are set upon the work You have given me, and I will see it through to completion.

I seal this prayer in the blood of Jesus, under the covenant of divine protection and victory. Let my enemies know that I am covered, I am chosen, and I am untouchable under the shadow of the Almighty! In the name of Jesus Christ, the Risen King, I declare it done.

Amen!

XOXO,