How Does the Enemy Get Through a Believer’s Covering of Protection?
Author Dawn Wilson
www.dawnwilsonministries.org
The enemy has five ways he can get through a believer’s covering of protection and bring an
attack against them. Each of these ways is allowed by our chose. The enemy can not come
freely, as he wills, to bring an attack against us. We must open the way for him to get through our
protection we possess as believers. Satan is actively seeking for openings in our protection to
bring his attack.
It is so easy to blame the devil for all that goes bad, for all chaos and confusion, for all that is
happening wrong in our lives. I believe we must stop and take a look at our lives and see where
we have opened a hole in our covering of protection and allowed the enemy’s attack to come
through to harm us.
1) Sin and the refusal to repent
The enemy’s first way of getting through our covering of protection is if we are violating the Word
of God through choosing to habitually sin.
A habitual sin is a sin we continue to choose to operate in despite the conviction of the Holy
Spirit. A habitual sin is a sin we refuse to repent of or turn away from when confronted by the
Holy Spirit.
A hole is opened in our covering of protection when we refuse to heed to the conviction of the
Holy Spirit and we choose to continue in that sin. A hole is opened in our covering of protection
when we refuse to repent of our sin when we are convicted by the Holy Spirit. The enemy seeks
these holes in our covering to bring his attack against us.
We see this principle in effect between Israel and their covering of God’s protection. Israel was
kept protected under a covering of God’s protection as long as they obeyed Him and kept His
law. The enemies attack was kept far from them as long as they stayed under the covering. The
enemy could not get to them. Once they stepped out from the covering they became open to the
assault of the enemy.
I personally believe God set up the whole system of the law as a means to keep Israel safe from
the attack of the enemy. I personally believe we in the new covenant have the blood covering of
protection to keep us safe from the attack of the enemy.
The enemy could not get to Israel as long as they stayed under God’s protective covering. The
attack comes but it does not prosper against us as we stay under our covering of protection.
Israel often refused to stay under this covering of protection. Israel continually chose to sin and
walk out from under the protective covering set up for them by God. Because of this the enemy
was able to come through their protective covering and defeat them.
Israel willfully walked out of the protective covering of God by their choice to violate their
covenant with Him. We willfully walk out of our protective covering when we choose to walk in
habitual sin. We give the enemy access to our lives through the open holes in our covering of
protection.
When Israel would come to God in repentance they would once again be restored to His covering
of protection. They would be kept safe in God’s covering of protection for a season, until they
willfully chose to sin once again.
Let us examine scripture to understand how sin opens the covering of our protection.
1John 1:5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is
Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.
God is light and in Him there is no darkness. We, who are believers in Christ, have become
partakers of His light.
1Peter 2:9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A
PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him
who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
Colombians 1:13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the
kingdom of His beloved Son,
Through Jesus we have been taken out of the kingdom of darkness and we are now in God’s
kingdom of light. Through Jesus we have become filled with His marvelous light.
2 Corinthians 4:6-7 For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who
has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of
Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of
the power will be of God and not from ourselves;
We who once were in darkness now have the light of God shone in our hearts. We have this
treasure of light carried around in our earthen vessels.
John 8:12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who
follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."
We have established through the Word of God that we have become filled with the light of life
through the Lord Jesus Christ. We are no longer a part of the kingdom of darkness but have
become translated into God’s kingdom of light.
Romans 13:12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the
deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Let’s continue on with this study to see how sin allows darkness to penetrate the armor of light
that we possess in Christ.
Through Jesus we have put on the armor of light. Through Jesus we have put aside the deeds of
darkness and been translated into His marvelous light. In the armor of light we are protected from
the wiles and the attack of the enemy.
We all know and understand the light overcomes darkness. We see this in the physical world we
live in. We also know and understand the darkness dims the brightness of light. Our armor of
light is dimmed through habitual sin or through our operating in deeds of darkness. Our light is
dimmed through the deeds of darkness. We become spiritual naked – no longer covered by the
brightness of His armor of light.
2Corinthians 6:14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have
righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
We are commanded to put away the deeds of darkness. Light and darkness are not to have
fellowship within us. Our armor of light is dimmed by any fellowship with darkness. Satan is
actively seeking for openings in your armor of light to bring his assault against you.
What are the deeds of darkness that dim the brightness of our armor of light?
1 John 2:9 The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness
until now.
If we do not operate in love are armor of light is dimmed by the darkness of hate.
Matt 15:19 "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts,
false witness, slanders.
Mark 7:21 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications,
thefts, murders, adulteries, 22 deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit,
sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.
Gal 5:19-21 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity,
sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes,
dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I
forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not
inherit the kingdom of God.
The enemy is able to run through every one of our “confessions of protection” if we do not lay
aside the deeds of darkness. I want you to understand clearly that many are claiming the Word of
God for divine protection but their lives are allowing gaping holes for the attack of the enemy to
come through.
I personally believe that “will not inherit the kingdom of God” is not only speaking to not entering
the kingdom of heaven but it is also speaking to our life NOW!! Sin keeps us from being able to
partake of the inheritance of the promises of God that we possess as saints. Many are claiming
their inheritance as saints of God but their lives have cut them off from their inheritance!!
1Corinthians 6:9-10 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of
God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate,
nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor
swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.
Heb 6:12 so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and
patience inherit the promises.
The word in the Greek for patience means fortitude. Fortitude is an action word!! It is a word of
effort and hard work. We inherit the promises of God not only through faith but also through our
WALK!!
We must lay aside every deed of darkness. We must cast off the works of darkness. We must
shine bright in our armor of light. Do not let your light be dimmed by the deeds of darkness.
We must have our armor of light shining brightly through confession and repentance of all sins.
We must close the holes to our covering of protection.
2) Fear
Job 3:25 "For what I fear comes upon me, And what I dread befalls me.
Proverbs 3: 25-26 Do not be afraid of sudden fear, Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when
it comes; 26. For the LORD will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being
caught.
Fear opens your covering of protection and allows the attack of the enemy to come in and
prosper against you.
Intimidation and fear is one of the enemy’s main tactic of attack against God’s people. He sends
the spirit of fear to come against us and cause us to fear. If he can make us fear he has an
opening to bring his attack against us.
Examples of this are the spirit of fear sends in thoughts of cancer or a heart attack. If you can be
made to fear by these thoughts the door way is opened for the enemy to bring the actual infirmity
of cancer and an actual heart attack. Our covering of protection is opened when we fear.
God has given us His promise. He will be our confidence. He will keep our foot from being
caught. If we put our trust in God, He will keep our foot from being caught in the snare of fear.
Fear of man is another way the enemy comes to ensnare or trap us. Fear of man will also allow an
opening in our protective covering.
Proverbs 29: 25 The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the LORD will be
exalted.
A snare is a trap for the foot. The fear of man brings this snare. For our foot to be snared the
enemy must come through our protective covering!!! We make an opening for the enemy to come
through by fear!!!
John 14: 27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give
to you. Let not your heart be troubled, not let it be fearful.
Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7. And the peace of God, which
surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
God commands us to not let our heart be fearful. He gives us this command because He knows
the snare that the enemy sets for our feet when we fear. God has sent His peace to guard our
hearts and our minds. God has sent His peace to keep our feet from being ensnared by the
enemy through fear.
3) Unforgiveness
We have already study that we allow darkness to dim our armor of light by the sin of hate. We
have already study that we allow darkness to dim our armor of light by sin.
Unforgiveness puts holes in our protection and allows the enemy attack to come in to us. How
does unforgiveness do so?? When we do not forgive, neither will the Father forgive us our sins!!!
Sin opens our protection and allows in the attack of the enemy.
Matt 6:12 'And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Matt 6:14 "For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also
forgive you. 15 "But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your
transgressions.
Mark 11:25-26 "Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone,
so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. 26 "But if you
do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions."
When we do not forgive our sin and our transgression is not forgiven us. Openings have now
been made for the attack of the enemy to come in against us.
Matt 18:21-22 Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin
against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you,
up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
Luke 17:4 "And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times,
saying, 'I repent,' forgive him."
Jesus is telling us to continually forgive those who sin against us. He is telling us to hold no
unforgiveness. He commands us to do so in order for our sins to be forgiven by the Father. He
commands us to do so in order that there is no opening in our lives for the enemy to come
through and his attack prosper against us.
Matt 18:33-35 'Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way
that I had mercy on you?' 34"And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the
torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. 35 "My heavenly Father will also do
the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart."
Let us close the openings of our protection that has been opened by unforgiveness. Let each
one of us forgive our brothers from our hearts!!
4) Negative Spoken Words
Proverbs 18:20-21 With the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied; He will be
satisfied with the product of his lips. 21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And
those who love it will eat its fruit.
In the power of you tongue you either keep your protective covering free from having holes or you
with your mouth shoot it full of holes. The negative and unclean words you speak open holes in
your protective covering.
The words of our mouths should always be in agreement with what the Word of God says over us
and over our circumstances and situations. If we will speak words in align with God’s Word our
covering stays hole free. When we speak forth negative, doubtful and unbelieving words our
protective covering becomes full of holes. Then enemy then is able to bring his attack in to us.
Proverbs 18: 7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul.
Fear was a snare to our feet; spoken words are a snare to our soul. Just as the enemy came in
through the opening of fear to snare our feet he comes in through the opening of spoken words
to snare our soul.
Psalm 116:10 I believed when I said, “I am greatly afflicted.”
The enemy is able to bring us into a position of great affliction by the words of our mouth. The
words of our mouth open up the covering of our protection which allows him to do so.
5) Thoughts
What we think will also open up our covering of protection and allow the enemy to bring his attack
in against us.
2 Corinthians 10: 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against
the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,
We are to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Every thought that does not line
up with the Word of God we are to grab and cast from out minds. We are commanded to do this
so that there will be no holes in our covering of protection.
Philipians 4:8 Finally, my brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are
honest, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely,
whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think on
these things.
God has commanded us in His word what we are to think on. God has commanded us how to
think so that we do not create holes in our protective covering. Satan seeks to come in through
these holes and bring destruction into our lives. Our thoughts must be taken captive to keep him
from doing so.
James 1:14-15 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own
lust. 15. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it
brings forth death.
Isaiah 65:2 "I have spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, Who walk in the
way which is not good, following their own thoughts,
Psalms 64:6 They devise injustices, saying, "We are ready with a well-conceived plot"; For
the inward thought and the heart of a man are deep.
Ezekiel 38:10 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "It will come about on that day, that thoughts will
come into your mind and you will devise an evil plan,
Sin begins with a THOUGHT!! Our thoughts become our actions!!!
Thoughts that do not align with the Word of God open our covering of protection. Satan comes in
through these holes with his temptation and his lies to make our thoughts become our very
actions!!!
A good example of this is when you are angry at your husband and you think of the angry things
you want to say to him. What happens when you do speak to him----you wind up saying all the
angry unclean words that you had thought of in your mind to say.
Your thoughts became your actions of sin!!! Your thoughts opened your protective covering and
the enemy was able to turn your thoughts into actions of sin!!
The Word of God says from our thoughts come actions of evil.
Matt 15:19 "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts,
false witness, slanders.
Mark 7:21-22 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts,
fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, 22 deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as
deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.
We must keep the covering of our protection closed by thinking on what God commands us to
think and dwell on. We must keep the covering of our protection closed by taking every thought
captive to the obedience of Christ.
Author: Dawn Wilson
Please Be Advised that all sermons and writing by Dawn Wilson of Dawn Wilson
Ministry is protected under the U.S. Government Copy Right Laws.