"The Devil Isn’t Afraid of Us Going to Church - He’s Afraid of Us Becoming the Church"

I recently heard this quote from Chris Overstreet, while we were driving along the streets of Celaya, Mexico, on our recent missions trip. As he said it, my heart was captured with this revelation download. Chris summarized this message into one sentence. Here is my personal revelation on the topic that I had during our recent missions trip to Mexico.

As Christians, it's easy to think that simply showing up to church every Sunday is enough. However, the devil isn't particularly afraid of our church attendance. He isn’t intimidated by us sitting in pews, singing songs, or listening to sermons. In fact, these actions - though important - don’t automatically make us spiritually dangerous to the kingdom of darkness.

What truly terrifies the enemy, however, is when we move beyond a mere attendance mentality and become the church - the living, breathing, Spirit-filled body of Christ, carrying His love, truth, and power into every aspect of our lives. This is when we start to make an impact for God's kingdom, and this is what shakes the gates of hell.

The Church: Not Just a Building, But a Movement

When Jesus spoke of the church, He wasn’t referring to a physical building. He was speaking about the ecclesia, the gathering of believers who would be His hands and feet on earth.

Jesus said in Matthew 16:18:"And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it."

The church isn’t just a gathering of people on Sundays - it’s a movement empowered by the Holy Spirit, commissioned to take the gospel to the world and advance God's kingdom.

When we truly become the church, we stop being spectators and start being participants in God's mission.

Be Doers of the Word

James 1:22 reminds us:"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."

It’s not enough to hear the Word; we must live it out. This means we carry God’s Word with us into our homes, workplaces, schools, and communities. We must be active participants, not passive consumers of religion. When we begin to live out our faith in practical ways - loving sacrificially, praying fervently, preaching boldly, and standing firm in spiritual warfare - the devil begins to fear. Because a church that is living and active is unstoppable.

Living the Great Commission

Jesus commissioned His followers in Matthew 28:19-20, saying:"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you."

The Great Commission isn’t just a call for a select few - it’s a mandate! Becoming the church means we don’t just wait for people to come to us; we go out into the world, sharing the love and truth of Christ with everyone we meet. When we live out the Great Commission, we start taking ground for the kingdom of God, and the devil knows he is losing influence.

Walk in the Power of the Holy Spirit

What will it cost to wake up every day, fully aware that you are filled with the same power that raised Jesus from the dead? That’s what happens when we become the church - when we stop just going to church and start living in the full authority of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:8 tells us: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

This isn’t just about feeling good in a worship service. It’s about being empowered to live with boldness, courage, and purpose - no matter where you are or what you’re facing. The Holy Spirit doesn’t just give us strength for Sunday mornings; He gives us strength for every moment. He gives us the courage to speak truth in the midst of fear, to stand firm when everything seems to be falling apart, and to shine light into the darkest places.

When we walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, we become a force the enemy can’t ignore. This is the kind of boldness the devil fears - the kind of power that shakes the ground and pushes back darkness.

Can you feel the stirring in your heart? It’s time to step into the power that’s been waiting for you. Will you walk in it

The Church on a  Mission

The enemy trembles when the church becomes a true reflection of Christ on earth - a church that doesn't just gather in buildings but goes out into the world to be the church. A church that is united, empowered, and living with purpose is unstoppable.

As 1 John 4:4 declares:"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."

When we become the church, we recognize that we are empowered by the One who is greater than any force of darkness. The devil has no power over us when we walk in the authority of Christ and carry His presence wherever we go.

Moving from Passive to Active

The shift from being passive consumers of religion to active participants in God’s mission is where the real transformation happens. It's not just about attending church - it’s about being the hands and feet of Jesus in our homes, workplaces, schools, and communities.

When we live out our faith in this way, we become spiritual warriors, equipped for battle in the unseen realm.

Ephesians 6:13-17 reminds us:"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."

This is the power we are meant to walk in. A church that is walking in Her full authority empowered by the Holy Spirit carying the name of Jesus, is a force to be reckoned with. And it’s in this place that the enemy trembles.

A Church That Walks in Power and Purpose is Unstoppable

The devil may not fear church attendance, but he does fear a church that is fully alive in Christ, walking in the power of the Holy Spirit, and actively fulfilling God’s mission on earth. When we become the church, we shift from being spectators to warriors, from passive attendees to active participants in God’s great work.

So, let us move beyond the ritual of a church service and step into the full purpose of being the church - an unstoppable force for good in the world, bringing light into darkness, and pushing back the gates of hell.

I Beleive in the local church!

I encourage you to plug into a local church congregation that empowers and encourages you to become THE CHURCH. Moving you from a place of only seeking a Sunday church experience, to pursuing a lifestyle of BEING the church, in your homes, schools, workplaces and in your everyday lives. We are the church wherever we go, the carriers of Jesus. He longs to touch the people around you, through you.

Are You Ready to BE the Church?

Join our FREE six-week School of Compassion to Action, starting April 9th, 2025!

Each Wednesday, we’ll gather to unite with a community of passionate revivalists on a mission to impact the city for the Gospel. Together, we’ll be part of something bigger - seeing the Church grow as new believers are born again and brought into the family of Christ. Don’t miss out on this life-changing opportunity to take action and be a part of the revival!

School of Compassion to Action