thedewsperspective

The Enemy’s Greatest Weapon Is Isolation

I asked a childhood friend of mine to attend church with me—someone I’ve known since I was 8 years old. We’re both now 52.

He didn’t come.

Every morning, after reading Our Daily Bread, I highlight a particular portion of the devotional, copy and paste it into a text message, and share it with family and friends. My childhood friend is one of the recipients of that “good morning” message.

He always responds with, “Thank you, good brother,” to which I reply with a ❤️.

When my friend didn’t join me at church, I wasn’t offended. But if I can be honest, I was somewhat disappointed because I was hoping he’d come, feel welcomed, and hear a word that spoke directly to him.

I shared with my cousin, who was in attendance, that I’d extended an invitation to our childhood friend as well.

He said something I’d obviously forgotten. But knew oh so well.

He said, “You know, when people are struggling and going through things, the church can sometimes feel like a place of discomfort.”

I thought, Wow.

As I kept listening, he continued:

“When you walk in, you can feel like everybody can read you like a book. They know your transgressions, your struggles, your sins. You feel like all eyes are on you.”

I replied, “That makes perfect sense to me, Cousin.”

Because when I was struggling, I avoided the church and its people as well.

When I was backsliding… “I ain’t going to church on Sunday.”

When my money was messed up… “I ain’t going to church on Sunday.”

When I didn’t have the right clothes to wear… “I ain’t going to church on Sunday.”

When I hung out the night before, drinking and smoking… “I ain’t going to church on Sunday.”

I remember a time when my life was in such self-inflicted turmoil and my spirit was so unsettled that, even while sitting in church, I felt as though all of my faults were magnified and amplified.

I vividly remember a season when Satan was winning.

It was during that time that I had a conversation with my pastor. He told me that the devil doesn’t fight fair. His goal is to isolate you—to keep you separated from the Body of Christ—so he can have his way with you.

My pastor said, “He’ll catch you by yourself and wear your ass out.”

I know why my brother didn’t come to church at my invitation.

I also know why many people avoid the church.

I know these things from personal experience.

That doesn’t negate the fact that I will continue to share God’s Word with my family and friends, along with my personal testimony.

And I pray that something God says through me—or something people see Him doing in me—will encourage my childhood friend, and others like him, to draw nearer to Him.

Because I also know this:

The same God who kept inviting me back never stopped loving me while I stayed away.

So I’ll keep extending the invitation.

One day, by God’s grace, my friend won’t just hear the invitation.

He’ll answer it.