Intimidation is defined as the act of making someone afraid. Our enemy does this so that we will be unable to live healthy, joyful Christian lives that are characterised by the freedom to do what is right and good and God-pleasing, as well as the calm confidence that says "I know God will never leave me nor forsake me." Our enemy knows that when we live in fear, we will never be able to live out the abundant, purposeful life that God has for us.
The enemy has all sorts of things that he uses to intimidate us, but thanks to the Bible we are able to know these, "for we are not ignorant of his schemes" (2 Corinthians 2:11). One of the means by which the enemy intimidates us is by taking us by surprise. After all, the Bible says that "Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). When he gets the opportunity to strike fear into our hearts, he will always take it.
Here are some things you can do to ensure that intimidation will not work on you.
1. Build yourself up in God
The best thing to do first is to build yourself in God. Jesus did this so well, that when Satan came to tempt Him during His forty-day fast, the tempter simply went off defeated. How did Jesus do that?
We read in the gospel passages that Christ Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted. Take note, "Jesus was led by the Spirit" (see Matthew 4:1). This simply means that He obeyed God Himself. His reason for going there was to obey His Father. And we know that in fasting we deny ourselves so that we'll be able to prioritise God over our own comforts and needs. Jesus went there with the intention of being with His Father!
2. Live by the Word of God
Next, we read that Jesus successfully shut the devil's promptings by refuting him with Scripture. This is how we fight!
Ephesians 6:10-20 says that the "sword of the Spirit" is the Word of God. We should handle it well. In the same way that swordsmen in the past mastered the art and skill of sword handling, we must be able to properly divide the Word of truth, and live by it.
3. Prepare for it
Jesus promised that in this world we are sure to face troubles, but we shouldn't be afraid (or intimidated) because He has overcome the world (John 16:33). Instead, we should know that attacks and testings will come, and we should prepare for them.
Ephesians 6:10-20 gives us the list of God's armour pieces that we should wear in facing the enemy. Aside from the armour, shield, sword of the Spirit and prayer, we should also faithfully stand our ground (v. 14).
We must be willing to face any intimidating attack, knowing that Christ has already overcome, and we are empowered to win it as well.
