(Listen to the Podcast at www.bibleblogpodcast.com or subscribe at iTunes.)
Sometimes, the devil can be really cool to have around you.
I'll pause for a minute while the Super Spiritual Christians! of you
stop your fanatical blubbering that I said something regarding Satan
that was actually said in a positive way.
Take your time. You might want to wipe that bit of spittle off your shirt.
Yes, I said sometimes it's really cool to have the devil around you.
Why? Because if you're doing something for the Lord and temptations
start to flood you like you were sitting along the mighty MIssissippi
then you know you must be in God's will.
For example, let's say that you're feeling as if the Lord wants you
to go on a fast. What's going to happen to you? If it's the Lord's
will you stay on this fast then you'll be hit with temptations for food
right and left. Your small group at church will decide to have a
picnic. Your spouse will cook your favorite meal because they have
forgotten you were fasting. Everything on your schedule clears off and
you and your wife get invited out for dinner. Food will be everywhere.
That's when it's good to have the devil around to throw those
temptations your way. It helps you be strong and helps you focus on the
Lord and what He's called you to do. After all, if it wasn't for the
devil, you wouldn't have these temptations come before you.
Many Christians have been brought up in church with the
misconception that God will tempt you with something to help build your
faith. The fact is that Scripture clearly tells us that this is not
the case. In James 1:13-14 (ESV) it says "Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted
when he is lured and enticed by his own desire." We have our own
desires...for example, in the case of a fast it would be eating
food...and Satan is more than willing to put things in front of us to
try and get us to give into those desires that are against what God is
telling us to do.
If anything, Satan's trying to get us to sin by ascribing to God
things that are sinful in nature. It's a clever ruse on Satan's part,
but as Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 2:11 (ESV) "we are not ignorant of
his designs." All Christians if they ask for the Lord's guidance and
wisdom in these situations will be able to see right through what is
going to be thrown your way by Satan and his minions.
So if you're feeling that Satan's pounding on you, celebrate it!
Praise God that you're worthy to be attacked because you're standing up
for what God wants you to do...because if you're not feeling tempted by
anything then you need to take a long hard look to see if you're not
listening to what God wants you to be doing.
