Trials Part 2 – Attacks from Satan

I felt it necessary to clarify and define trials and temptations that were discussed in the post: Trials. This should also help in understanding the difference between the previously discussed blessed trials and Satan’s attacks of temptation –

Trials are easily understood as “tests”. See, in order to be formed into the image of Christ, the areas that are in need of purification will be touched by God. We are tried, over and over again, until we learn the lesson. Not only are we tested to burn away the moldings of Adam, the flesh, worldly things, etc., trials also build up, strengthen, increase and ultimately reveal the characteristics of Christ, who is in us. Characteristics such as Faith, patience, love, kindness, etc, which are in us, start to shine through. Trials are good. The following verses are evident in what is purified, and what characteristics of the Spirit will shine through our souls:

¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, ²¹ envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. ²⁴ And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:19-25, New King James Version)

Pertaining to temptations, temptations are from Satan. We have to understand that if we read a verse in the bible that says “God tempted..”, the word in this sense means that God tested. The word ‘temptation’ is what we get in the English translation, but it has 2 meanings in Hebrew: To try (a trial) or to be lured into wickedness.

¹³ Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. (James 1:13, New King James Version)

Instead of turning this into a long post, the writer over at Bibleseo makes the definition very clear in the first few lines of this post.

The bottom line is that Satan seeks to steal, kill, destroy, deceive, distract, and do anything else he can to take us away from God. I have witnessed 2 areas that he will attack in.

1: He will prevent us from coming to Christ. He will do whatever he can to stop this. But see, once we are truly a follower of Jesus Christ (truly believing, as in following Christ and not just saying it w/ our lips), he lost our soul.

2: The battle rages on though! Because Satan knows that we will now be used by God to help others. He will continue to shoot fiery darts at us, constantly. To discourage us, tempt us to sin, destroy our testimony, hinder our faith, cause worry/stress, and so on.

Brethren, we are in a battle. All attacks are “temptation”, to take our minds/eyes off of God and onto worldly/fleshly things. The battle never stops, but the battle is always won in-Christ. As soon as we choose to look away from Him and look at the winds/fiery darts hammering up against our minds, we sink into what we look at (we sink into what we think upon, what we accept, what we believe.. we lose faith).

I use this all the time as a reference from the bible because it is very good –

²⁵ Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. ²⁶ And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.
²⁷ But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
²⁸ And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
²⁹ So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
³¹ And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:25-31, New King James Version)

Lastly, one of my Pastors said it best in a discipling guide: “Now that you are Born Again”:

“Testing can be used for both trials and temptations, but the contents and the motive of the testing will classify it either as trials or temptations. Often we face diverse temptations in the midst of trials. For example, if God wanted us to remain in a particular city, but we do not have a source of income, we may consider that we have a better chance of getting a job in another city. There is a tendency that we will desire to leave a place that God is telling us to remain. Such is a temptation in the midst of a trial for patience. Lastly, we should not take suffering, which stems from a consequence of our sin or neglect, as a trial. Such consequences could lead to trials and temptations though.” – Pastor Christian Nwobu

Don’t be deceived my beloved. The wiles of the devil are non-stop. Many senses of the flesh.. the things we see, hear, emotions, the thoughts, even physical pain, (and these same things that are in other people) very well may be a tool of Satan. That’s not to say people are Satanic. I.e. If I choose a thought of Satan (fell to temptation) like “He/She should not have done/said that”, then my choice will sometimes flow out of my mouth, and I’ll say something. If you’re listening to me, you’ll hear the result of my choice to choose Satan’s attack.  Just stand and smile.. If it doesn’t line up with God’s character, it’s not Him. Believe in the Lord and His promises, all else is Satan’s tools.

I pray for your protection and the armor of God to be strengthened around you and yours. God bless,

joseph

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