How to Tell if Your Struggles Are from You, God, or Satan..... Havilah Cunnington

 

How to Tell if Your Struggles Are from You, God, or Satan

• Havilah Cunnington

• If you've been a believer for much time, you've been faced with this question at least once in your spiritual life. "Is the battle I'm facing from God, myself, or the Devil?" 

  Depending on what side of the church tracks you live on, we can easily give credit to any one of them. I've heard the phrases, "God is trying to teach you a lesson" or "The devil is attacking you" in the very same community of believers. What about human choice? Don't we have a part to play in what we are experiencing? 

  Our winning and losing in our everyday lives will depend on our understanding of the battle and with whom we are fighting. We won’t be dominant over the enemy until we see this life-or-death fight up close and personal.

1. The War Is Over

The enemy of our souls would love nothing more than for each of us to believe we are fighting for victory and not from victory.  When Christ died on the cross in our place to pay the penalty of sin, the war was over. Spoiler alert: We Won! God has the whole world in His hands and has made a way for us to spend eternity with Him. 

So, why do we struggle? Because we still live on the earth. We have a real enemy, and as long as we are alive, we will have to deal with him. We have nothing to fear. If we are living our life in Christ, we will always be more powerful than anything that comes our way. But, the Bible is clear that we aren’t to be ignorant of our enemy.  

 “You must understand your enemy, for you cannot defeat what you do not understand.” T.D. Jakes

2. The Devil is an Angel with a God Complex

You may think of God and the Devil as equal and opposing figures fighting each other from two different sides, much like the cartoon image we have of a devil and an angel perched on someone’s shoulders. But we need to be clear: The story of God and the Devil isn’t one of two gods fighting each other. The Devil is an angel with a God complex. His power and authority are only in his possession because God has allowed him to continue for the time being. 

3. The Devil is a Liar

The only way to know if it's your enemy is to understand his exact characteristics. Your enemy’s whole purpose in life is to get you to believe a lie about God.  It started in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. His lies sound like, "God isn’t that good” or “God’s not telling you the whole truth.”  The lies always go deeper, “God made a mistake when he made you" or "God's not going to help you." All grounded in lies about God. One of his greatest and most powerful lies always begins with your identity. It sounds like, “You can’t do it” or “ You don’t have what it takes.” His words are wrapped in fear, anxiety, and shame.

4. The Devil is an Accuser

Our enemy loves to accuse us. He's known as the accuser of the brethren (Revelations 12). 

Once we begin to live in spiritual confidence, he uses another lie. "Who do you think you are?" often trying to accuse us of pride and arrogance. He loves to use accusation to stop us in our tracks. An accusation is claiming someone is doing something wrong. Our enemy will never stop there. He will always go further hoping we believe the lie, “You are wrong” or “You were made wrong.”  Accusations are dangerous because they will always distract us from our real purpose, which is to live in the abundant life Christ died to give us.

5. The Devil is a Thief

In John 10:10 it depicts our enemies exact character. It says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;”

The word steal in the Greek is the word klepto. It’s where we get the word kleptomaniac, which means, someone who steals for the thrill of taking. When the enemy operates in our lives, he is stealing from us as well. We may not realize it as it’s happening, but eventually, we feel the sense of loss and see that what is rightfully ours has been taken from us. If we want to walk in daily victory, we must remember that the enemy comes into our lives as a thief. 

6. The Devil Wants Us to Sacrifice

In John 10:10 it uses the word kill, but it doesn’t mean what you might assume. The word kill in the Greek is Thuo, which means to sacrifice. “God’s not coming through for you!” or “You are not going to experience it!” are the enemy’s smoke screens.  When the enemy comes to kill, he’s hoping you will sacrifice everything God has given you. He tells you that you have waited too long, believed for too much, and seen nothing happen. You might as well throw in the towel. The crazy thing is, we believe his lies. The Devil may not have to steal very much from us—especially if we are already giving it away.

7. Living Spiritually Alert

(…To keep Satan from taking advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his schemes” (2:11 amp). 

Paul points out, “We are not ignorant of his schemes.” I have often heard the phrase, “Ignorance is bliss,” which suggests that if I don’t know something, then life is more comfortable, relaxed, and peaceful for me. But ignorance is not a godly way of living. Being ignorant of the enemy’s schemes only leaves us vulnerable to his tactics. 

Being spiritually illiterate doesn’t mean the enemy will leave us alone. It means we are more likely to make critical mistakes due to a lack of full understanding. Ignorance will hurt us and leave us confused, dejected, and deceived. God did not call us to be spiritually blind; he called us to be spiritually alert.

Streams in the Desert

I tell you the solemn truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it produces much grain. (John 12:24)

Go to the old burying ground of Northampton, Mass., and look upon the early grave of David Brainerd, beside that of the fair Jerusha Edwards, whom he loved but did not live to wed.

What hopes, what expectations for Christ’s cause went down to the grave with the wasted form of that young missionary of whose work nothing now remained but the dear memory, and a few score of swarthy Indian converts! But that majestic old Puritan saint, Jonathan Edwards, who had hoped to call him his son, gathered up the memorials of his life in a little book, and the little book took wings and flew beyond the sea, and alighted on the table of a Cambridge student, Henry Martyn.

Poor Martyn! Why should he throw himself away, with all his scholarship, his genius, his opportunities! What had he accomplished when he turned homeward from “India’s coral strand,” broken in health, and dragged himself northward as far as that dreary khan at Tocat by the Black Sea, where he crouched under the piled-up saddles, to cool his burning fever against the earth, and there died alone?

To what purpose was this waste? Out of that early grave of Brainerd, and the lonely grave of Martyn far away by the splashing of the Euxine Sea, has sprung the noble army of modern missionaries.
—Leonard Woolsey Bacon

“Is there some desert, or some boundless sea,
Where Thou, great God of angels, wilt send me?
Some oak for me to rend, Some sod for me to break,
Some handful of Thy corn to take
And scatter far afield,
Till it in turn shall yield
Its hundredfold
Of grains of gold
To feed the happy children of my God?

“Show me the desert, Father, or the sea;
Is it Thine enterprise? Great God, send me!
And though this body lies where ocean rolls,
Father, count me among all faithful souls.”

The Power of a Discerning Spirit..... Dr. Charles Stanley

 The Power of a Discerning Spirit

Dr. Charles Stanley

Hebrews 5:11-14

In a world filled with endless sources of information and opinions, believers need to develop a discerning spirit. Otherwise, how will we know what is true? Much of what we see and hear is based on a worldly perspective that is influenced by Satan, the Father of Lies. Deception is found even in the religious realm: cults mix lies with enough truth to make some people consider them legitimate Christian institutions.

The only way believers can guard against deception is to ground themselves in God's Word. The more time you spend filling your mind with the Lord's thoughts, the more discerning you will be. However, just knowing biblical truth isn't enough. You must put what you learn into practice so that it becomes more than head knowledge.

The goal is to let God's Word become such an integral part of your thinking that it guides all your decisions. Even if the situation you're facing isn't specifically addressed in the Bible, scriptural principles provide the needed wisdom for every choice. In addition, the Holy Spirit was given to each believer as a Helper, whose job is to guide you into all the truth (John 14:26; 16:13). However, your responsibility is to put God's Word into your mind so that He can bring it to your remembrance. If you neglect the Word, you'll lack discernment.

What are you allowing into your mind? Is Scripture high in your priorities? Unless you're careful, worldly thinking will overpower spiritual discernment. It's difficult to keep God's perspective in the forefront if you spend two or three hours in front of the television and only ten minutes in the Bible.

A Thankful Tomorrow..... by Ryan Duncan

 A Thankful Tomorrow

by Ryan Duncan

“How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.” – Psalms 31:19

I’ve always really enjoyed Thanksgiving. Sure, the family can be pretty crazy at times, and I usually end up on dish duty after the meal, but Thanksgiving has always been a time for me to stop and realize how blessed I am. Friends, family, a warm meal, there are many simple things in this life that are easy to take for granted, so it’s good to have a day that reminds us to be thankful for all God has given us. The problem is that’s usually how long it lasts, a day. After the food has been eaten and prayers have been said, many people wake up the next morning and jump head first into the madness of Black Friday.

I can only remember shopping twice on Black Friday, and I regretted it both times. It’s complete chaos, with people running, screaming, and sometimes even fighting each other over things they want to buy. I’ve never had any crazy experiences myself, but my brother-in-law remembers a particularly strange incident that happened while he was in college. One year, while he and my sister were still dating, he drove up to visit her on the Friday after Thanksgiving. He had left his house at 3am with hopes of avoiding the holiday rush and was making good time on the freeway when suddenly, out of nowhere, a long line of traffic appeared in the distance.

At first he thought there had been an accident, but as he got closer he realized that the stalled traffic was due to cars making complete stops on the freeway so their passengers could get out, jump the guard rails, and climb a small hill to a nearby outlet mall. It’s ironic, and a little sad, that a day which celebrates American greed happens after the holiday about being thankful. At times like these, it’s important that as Christians realize we cannot live Christ-centered lives when we leapfrog between God and possessions.

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” (Matthew 6:24)

So don’t throw out your thankfulness with the evening leftovers, but hold onto it as the Advent season begins. Remember the blessings Christ has given us and use them to prepare yourself for Christmas, when we celebrate the birth of Christ, the greatest gift of all.

Intersecting Faith and Life: Don’t let the crazy shopping season distract you from what’s really important.

Further Reading

1 Timothy 4:4

Let Prayer Be My First Response..... By Lynette Kittle

 Let Prayer Be My First Response

By Lynette Kittle

Especially during the holidays, it’s easy to be weighed down with all the stresses connected to gift-giving, holiday gatherings, family dynamics, and much more. All this added to life’s daily demands can be overwhelming. Yet scripture encourages me to devote myself to prayer.

So how can I be devoted to prayer with so much going on, along with being watchful and thankful in the process?

Pray First

In a culture where “making things happen” is often valued over seeking God first, Scripture directs me to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18).

Often in hearing others tell stories of dealing with difficulties, first I’ll hear a list of all the approaches and methods attempted in resolving the situation until finally coming to a point where the storyteller says, “All that was left was to pray.”

In hearing these words, I often think, “What might happen if prayer is the first response? Like people call 911 in an emergency, what if prayer is the first option?

As most when faced with challenges, worry, fear, and anxiety try to take over my thoughts and direct my responses but Philippians 4:6 encourages me to, “not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present my request to God.”

Devotion to prayer begins when I make it my priority in responding to everything and anything. Like 1Timothy 2:1 urges me to first of all, make petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving for all people.

Keep Alert

In the busyness of life, it’s easy to tune out what’s happening around me. Still, Scripture directs me to, “be alert and of sober mind because the enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).

As I become watchful, my eyes open up more to my surroundings, alert to what is taking place around me. Things I didn’t notice before or considered praying about seem to stand out, increasing my prayers for others and situations.

Being observant helps to turn my thoughts continually to living out 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to pray without ceasing throughout my day and week.

Give Thanks Often

Scripture advises me to offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving (Psalm 116:17), which can be as simple as thanking God for His faithfulness, comfort, presence, and peace regardless of daily challenges and events.

It’s expressing my gratitude for His never leaving or forsaking me (Hebrews 13:5), the act of being grateful He is close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18), and thankfulness for being able to cast all my anxiety on Him (1 Peter 5:7).

A Prayer to Pray before Studying God’s Word..... By Christina Patterson

 A Prayer to Pray before Studying God’s Word

By Christina Patterson

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” - James 1:5

The Bible compares the Word of God to a double-edged sword showing its ability to cut the heart and change lives forever. (Hebrews 4:12) Whenever I pick up my Bible I feel the weight of this sword and its power. It makes me feel like a little girl holding a weapon too big to carry. Handling something so powerful is exciting yet intimidating at the same time.

So I never go into studying God's Word lightly. We never should. The Word of God has the power to change minds, heal hearts, and cut out sin. However, something so powerful handled the wrong way can also cause harm. I never want to be the one using God's Word to cause hurt, pain, or confusion. And I’m sure you don’t either.

For this reason, before I open my Bible and heart to the Word of God I first open my mouth in prayer to request specific things from God. And over years of studying my Bible God has faithfully answered this prayer. I want to share my prayer with you in hopes it will increase the quality of your time in God’s Word and help you to handle it’s truths with clarity and confidence.

I always start off praying for discernment and wisdom. James 1:5 tells us:

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (NIV)

Coming across a scripture I do not understand can be discouraging. But I've found that unlocking the mysteries of scripture starts with prayer. All wisdom, knowledge, and correct understating come from God and He is ready to grant us understanding if we are willing to ask. This also ensures that I am receiving God’s understanding and intention about scripture and that I am not relying on my own understanding.

Let’s Pray:

“Lord, thank you for this time you’ve given me to open your Word and discover who you are. Thank you that you don’t leave us in the dark about who you are and what you are doing in the world, but that you have revealed yourself and your will through the Bible, your sacred words to us. Lord, I need wisdom as I read your Word. You promise us in James 1:5 that we only have to ask for wisdom to receive it. Lord, please give me your wisdom now as I approach your word. Help me discern the truth of this text. Help me not rely on my own understanding. Thank you God for the clarity, encouragement and hope your Word brings.

In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.”

3 Ways to Be Thankful Through the Holidays..... By Lynette Kittle

 3 Ways to Be Thankful Through the Holidays

By Lynette Kittle

Especially during the holidays, it’s easy for a heart of thankfulness to fade. And as with most things in life, it’s easier said than done. So how do I go through the holiday season with a thankful heart?

Scripture offers three directives in how to prepare my heart towards an attitude of gratefulness.

1. Be Thankful in Actions. Colossians 3:17 gives me clear direction stating “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thank to God the Father through Him,” encouraging me to live out my faith through my actions and reactions.

This can be anything and everything I do from waking up in the morning and deciding to thank God for the day, to being a courteous and safe driver on the roadways. With each action and reaction, I can determine beforehand to have an attitude of gratitude towards God.

2. Be Thankful By Remembering. Psalm 77:11 encourages me to remember the deeds of the Lord, which can be as simple as thanking God for His comfort, presence, and peace in daily challenges, remembering that He never leaves me or forsakes me (Hebrews 13:5). Of thinking how I can cast all my anxiety on Him (1 Peter 5:7).

It can be as easy as picking up my Bible and reminiscing through the underlined and highlighted verses and passages, remembering God’s goodness, mercy, and love.

Likewise as Psalm 105:5 urges me to remember the wonders God has done, it’s good to talk with family members and friends of the ways God has answered prayers and met needs.

Reminding myself of His faithfulness stirs my heart towards thankfulness.

3. Be Thankful in Everything. Giving thanks in everything can seem like a hard task to accomplish at times, especially in difficult circumstances. Even so, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 directs me to make this choice stating, “give thanks in all circumstance; for this is God’ will for you in Christ Jesus.”

One way our family lived this out was when my husband’s job at a church ended rather abruptly. Being the only breadwinner at the time, along with hitting us unexpectedly, we felt tremendous disappoint with what had happened in the situation, as well as combating the uncertainty associated with the loss of income.

Wanting to respond in a way that pleased God and set a godly example for our four young daughters, we looked to express it in a way they would understand and could also be involved in, which resulted in baking a “Thankfulness” cake.

Even though at the time being thankful felt like an opposite kind of reaction to have in such a serious circumstance, doing so made a life-long impression on all of us and surprisingly not only comforted us but also cheered our hearts concerning God’s plans for our future.