THE ENEMY STRIKES

Spam.

I have come to despise that word.

I've been reading lately in Blog Land about a recent (and annoying) influx of *fake comments* that are infiltrating our beloved blogs.

So far, I thought I had escaped.

But, in the last couple of weeks, I've had a few pesky (and annoying) comments "sneak past" Blogger's spam filtering system.  (I'm not going to get snide here – but honestly, spam filters should actually WORK, right???)

These comments were obvious attempts to get me to click on over to some random website - (not a *real* blog, mind you).

Oh, they were sneaky.

One complimented the great content of my blog.  (Working on the flattery angle evidently…)

One said I was having browser viewing problems.   (Working on the fear angle evidently…)

But, the other night, I was attacked.

That's my word for it.  Let me tell you why.

First of all, let me set things up a bit.

It had been a very long day.

Late in the afternoon the previous day, I had made the long trek down the hill.  Woke up to a day full of activity.  Errands in the morning, a long hair appointment, and then a fun jaunt up the freeway to go to a hockey game with my oldest son…during rush hour…to Los Angeles.  (For those of you who live in Southern California, you'll understand.  For those of you who don't, picture billions of cars moving an inch at a time for almost 1½ hours).

It was a very exciting, but very close game.

Let me tell you, I really, really love hockey.  And I really, really get into the game.

So, a very close game is emotionally draining for me!  Fortunately, our team won.  But it was a touch-and-go battle.  Phew…

Then, son and I had to stop and get something at a Walmart on the way home.  (I didn't know that Walmart stayed open until midnight in some places).  I was tired, yes, but shopping with my oldest is a treat.  He’s very funny, and we always get the giggles.

Then we had to finish our yakking when we pulled into the driveway. Suffice it to say, that I finally walked in the door at 12:30 AM.

I'm not sure what made me check my blog.

Well, actually, I totally believe it was a God thing.

"Oh," I thought to myself, "I got another comment today."

So, I went to read it.

SPAM.

But, this comment was different.  It was full of terrible words and impure thoughts and lewd suggestions.  (Working on the filth angle evidently…)

I. WAS. SHOCKED.

Stunned by what I was seeing.

Like I said, I felt attacked.

I quickly deleted the comment, and then logged in to remove all traces of this disgusting invasion.

I worried, too.

What if someone read that comment?  I know that people would quickly realize that it was something that I had no control over, and that it was an unabashed attempt to discredit the Christian content of my blog.

But still…

I was chagrined to think that anyone might have been exposed to such awful language.  (If you were, I really am so very sorry…)

After I deleted the comment, I simply looked at the computer screen and muttered:

"Hello, Mr. Satan."

(Spam, as defined in Sharon's Acrostic Dictionary):

S atan
P ersecuting
A ttacking
M aligning

I had trouble sleeping for a while, and I have a feeling that I'll be watching my blog like a hawk for quite a long time.  If it keeps up, I'm going to have to enable comment moderation.  Thank goodness that we have that option!

But, I was mostly kept awake thinking about how ugly our enemy 
can be.

Prince of the power of the air (Internet) indeed.

I was reminded of the scene when Jesus confronted a demon – (I like the way The Message relates the story):

"Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people.  They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority.  In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, 'Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!'
  
'Be quiet!' Jesus said sternly. 'Come out of him!' Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.  All the people were amazed and said to each other, 'What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!'

And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area."  

(Luke 4:33-37, MSG)


An attack.

An attack against the words of Jesus.

And in a way, an insight into the way that followers of Jesus will also be attacked.

Persecuted.  Maligned.  Belittled.

Perhaps even "smut-splattered" by Spam comments.

The father of lies is all about conducting a *smear campaign* against the Lord.  And, because of our association with Him, the enemy is going to go after us, too.

So, what to do?

Well, what we always do.  We pray, we put on our armor – and we fight back.

I have been praying for all of us who seek to spread the Good News in Blog Land.  I have been praying for a hedge of protection to surround us.  I have asked God to guard the words He speaks through us.  I have prayed for God's courage – so that we might not be dismayed, or discouraged, or defeated.

I have prayed for the power of The Word to overcome.

And, of course, it will.

"The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever." (Isaiah 40:8, NLT)


That night, as I finished talking to the Lord, as I turned over to go to sleep, I heard the words that He seems to be speaking to me lately – over and over again:

"Don't be afraid."

OK, Lord.

Fight for me.  Fight for all of us who seek to honor and glorify You in this place called Blog Land.

And I believe this is His strong response:

"I got this one.  Rest easy, dear ones.  I will not be thwarted."

Yes, Lord.

Let it be so.


"It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it." 
(Isaiah 55:11, NLT)

That Wily Serpent

How do you fight back against the enemy?


Linked today with:

Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY
Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY
Pamela at A SHELTERING TREE
Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"