Protect the Harvest: How to Keep What God Cultivates

This teaching explores practical strategies for protecting the spiritual harvest God has cultivated in your life. Many believers pray for blessings but fail to implement protection strategies once they receive them. The message examines three key areas of spiritual protection: understanding Christ as our protector, engaging in offensive spiritual warfare, and building protective relationships. By implementing these principles, believers can guard the growth and blessings God provides.

Key Scriptures:

• John 10:7-15

• Ephesians 6:10-18

• Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

• Mark 8:31-33

Does Your Palace Have Protection?

In ancient times, a castle wasn't merely a luxurious dwelling—it was a fortified structure designed to protect what was valuable inside. The palace required protection through innovations like drawbridges, castle walls, and moats. These weren't merely decorative features; they were essential investments to safeguard what was precious.

Similarly, when God blesses us with spiritual growth, relationships, opportunities, or resources, we must consider how to protect these treasures. Too often, we pray fervently for blessings but give little thought to safeguarding what we receive.

"Have you considered protecting what you prayed for?"

Many believers pray for promotions without considering the increased responsibility. Others pray for children without preparing for the wisdom and endurance needed to raise them. Some pray for relationships without developing the character to maintain them. We eagerly receive God's blessings but often neglect the protection strategies they require.

Jesus as Our Model Protector

In John 10:7-15, Jesus presents Himself as the ultimate protector—the Good Shepherd who guards His sheep. Unlike hired hands who abandon the flock when danger approaches, Jesus demonstrates true protection through sacrifice:

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep... I know my own and my own know me." - John 10:11, 14

In contrast to thieves who come "to steal and kill and destroy," Jesus came that we "may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). This pastoral picture reveals several important principles about protection:

1. True protection involves sacrifice - Jesus doesn't expect the sheep to protect themselves; He willingly lays down His life for them.

2. Protection requires discernment - Jesus distinguishes between genuine shepherds and "thieves" who merely pretend to care but abandon the flock when challenged.

3. The enemy's strategy is comprehensive - The thief comes to steal (take what doesn't belong to him), kill (destroy life), and destroy (eliminate evidence of the theft).

   
   

When we receive blessings from God, we must adopt this protective mindset. Are we willing to sacrifice to protect what God has given us? Can we discern those relationships and influences that genuinely care for our growth versus those that would exploit it?

Offensive Versus Defensive Spiritual Warfare

One of the most crucial mindset shifts in protecting our harvest is moving from defensive to offensive spiritual warfare.

"When it comes to warfare, do you play offense or defense?"

Many believers only engage in spiritual warfare reactively—after experiencing an attack. We pray against the enemy's advances only when we're already suffering their effects. This defensive posture leaves us perpetually vulnerable.

In football, a team that only plays defense might prevent the opponent from scoring, but they can never win. Similarly, in spiritual warfare, we need to adopt an offensive mindset that proactively pushes back darkness before it encroaches on our territory.

When Jesus encountered the demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes, the demons immediately recognized His authority and begged for mercy. This same authority has been given to believers, yet many fail to exercise it because they operate from a position of fear rather than faith.

The Armor of God: Equipped for Battle

Ephesians 6:10-18 outlines the complete armor God provides for spiritual battle:

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." - Ephesians 6:10-11

Several key principles emerge from this passage:

1. Our strength comes from God, not ourselves - "Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might" (v.10). Many believers try to conjure strength from within themselves rather than drawing from God's unlimited power.

2. We need the complete armor, not just pieces - "Put on the whole armor of God" (v.11). Some Christians wear only the helmet of salvation, leaving vital areas exposed.

3. The enemy uses schemes, not strength - After Christ's resurrection, Satan became a defeated foe with schemes rather than power. His primary weapon is deception, often working through offense and emotional triggers.

4. Our battle isn't against people - "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against...spiritual forces of evil" (v.12). Many believers misdirect their spiritual energy fighting people rather than addressing the spiritual forces at work.

5. Standing is sometimes enough - "Having done all, to stand" (v.13). God doesn't always call us to spectacular victories; sometimes simply maintaining our position is the victory.

   
   

Each piece of armor protects a specific aspect of our spiritual life:

• Helmet of Salvation - Protects our mind and thought patterns

• Breastplate of Righteousness - Guards our vital organs and character

• Belt of Truth - Secures our reproductive potential (ability to bear spiritual fruit)

• Shoes of the Gospel of Peace - Enables mobility and advancement

• Shield of Faith - Extinguishes attacks and doubt

• Sword of the Spirit - The only offensive weapon, the Word of God

  
  

However, the most crucial element that activates the entire armor is prayer: "praying at all times in the Spirit" (v.18). Many believers are fully dressed for battle but never engage through consistent, strategic prayer.

Relational Protection: The Power of Godly Connections

Beyond personal spiritual armor, God designed us to fight within a community. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 highlights the protective power of godly relationships:

"Two are better than one... For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up... A threefold cord is not quickly broken." - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12

This passage reveals several principles of relational protection:

1. Balanced relationships provide recovery - When both individuals fall, the one who recovers first can help lift the other.

2. Isolation increases vulnerability - Being alone physically or being surrounded by people with the same weaknesses leaves you without support when you fall.

3. The third strand is God - A truly strong relationship includes God as the strengthening third strand.

   
   

However, not all relationships provide protection. In Mark 8:31-33, when Jesus revealed His upcoming suffering and death, Peter attempted to dissuade Him from God's plan:

"Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, 'Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.'" - Mark 8:32-33

This remarkable exchange demonstrates that even well-intentioned friends can become unwitting vessels for the enemy's schemes when they counsel us against God's purposes. Jesus identified the source of the opposition (Satan) rather than merely addressing the symptom (Peter's words).

The Cost of Protection: Fighting to Retain What We Received

The central principle emerges: To make the most of our growth, we must fight to retain it as hard as we fought to receive it.

What requires faith often requires a fight. Many believers are willing to believe God for blessings but unwilling to engage in the disciplined fight to protect them:

• We pray for healing but neglect the discipline to maintain health

• We pray for marriages but resist the counseling that would strengthen them

• We pray for financial blessing but ignore the stewardship principles that sustain it

  
  

Things worth praying for are worth fighting for. The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus came that we might have abundant life. That abundance includes both the blessing and the wisdom to protect it.

Practical Steps to Protect Your Harvest

1. Recognize what armor you're missing - Honestly assess which aspects of spiritual protection you've neglected.

2. Develop an offensive prayer strategy - Don't wait for attacks; proactively pray against the enemy's schemes in your life, family, and community.

3. Evaluate your relationships - Do they strengthen or weaken your spiritual protection? Are you balanced, or surrounded by people with the same vulnerabilities?

4. Practice forgiveness - Unforgiveness creates openings for the enemy to attack. Release offenses quickly to maintain your spiritual defense.

5. Strengthen your sword - Increase your knowledge and application of God's Word to enhance your offensive capability.

6. Embrace peacemaking, not peacekeeping - Don't avoid necessary confrontations that would resolve underlying issues.

7. Commit to daily prayer - Prayer activates all other forms of spiritual protection.

   
   

Conclusion: The Cost of Protection

Just as ancient castles required substantial investment in walls, moats, and defensive systems, protecting your spiritual harvest demands intentional investment. The cost of protection may seem high in the moment—requiring discipline, uncomfortable conversations, and consistent prayer—but it's far less than the cost of losing what God has cultivated in your life.

The thief comes to steal the harvest, but with the proper protection strategies, you can "stand firm" against his schemes and preserve the abundance God has provided. Remember, you're not fighting alone—you have the power of God's might, the full armor of God, and the support of godly relationships to help you protect what matters most.