When God's Servants Want to Quit...by Al Thomas
Why is the Devil Intensely Attacking God's People?
He senses impending doom for himself and his kingdom.He knows his time is short (Revelation 12:12).
Demons have emotions (James 2:19). Don't give the devil more credit than he should have. Even the enemy of your soul knows that one day this whole thing is going to end and he is the worst for it (Revelation 20:3, 10).
Ever seen a caged animal cornered? They get desperate. Does it seem like the devil simply won't let up on you? Guess what? The devil is nervous. The devil is paranoid. The devil is scared. His kingdom will soon fall and he hates you because you belong to Jesus and Jesus defeated him (1 John 3:8). He's scared, not you (2 Timothy 1:7).
He senses the Church of Jesus Christ is going through Transition.
Transition means passing from one condition to another. The Church is not going to remain like it is now. We are going to be changed - transitioned - into a glorious Church, a powerful Church, and a Church without spot or wrinkle. The devil knows this.
A bus is coming and there is nothing he can do about it. "Life is what happens while you are waiting for the bus." You are on the bus. No, I'm not talking about the rapture; but the transition from passiveness to passion - from a confusing spirit to a conquering spirit; from a spiritual laziness to lambasting the devil. Maybe you better stand up (Ephesians 6:13-14).
He senses the Church will have a fresh discernment of his devices.
Read 2 Corinthians 2:11. Have you ever been in that place where you didn't know if the problems you were facing were demonic, a test from God, or simply the actions of well-meaning but immature Christians? The time is coming (the devil knows) when the Church will have discernment like never before.
The Word of God is described as "sharper than any double-edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12). This applies to the written Word of God. However, I'm convinced that Jesus, the Word of God, is going to be "sharper" in us in the area of discernment.
We'll be able to cut through all the confusing spiritual red tape that the enemy throws at us and we will see clearly with 20/20 spiritual vision. We won't enter the battle half blind, but rather, we will blind the enemy and slaughter him (2 Kings 6:15-17). We will rush him and overtake him and take back the goods that he robbed from us.
Remember, you are not fighting against flesh and blood, unruly sheep, gossipmongers, etc., but satan himself (Ephesians 6:12). Stop looking in the natural. Your battle is not worldly; it's spiritual and you are destined to win the battle.
Bottom Line: satan wants you to quit! Don't Do It!
Fellow saint, do not leave the vineyard God has assigned to you (John 21:15-17). The very thing you are facing is preparing you for greater fruitfulness. Nothing of lasting value comes without a struggle. Tend the flock and concentrate on your noble calling. Fainting? Read Luke 18:1-8.
Do not remove your hands from that plow. Stop looking back. There is nothing back there but a slippery slope. You know that. Look up. People are depending on you. Weaker saints are looking to you. You are valuable to God. You are loved greatly (1 John 3:1).
Do not listen to your emotions. They are a fertile field for the enemy's attack. Your feelings will tell you to abandon the ship. Satan will tell you it isn't worth it any longer. He lies. He always lies. Resist him (James 4:7). Tell him to go to his future home (Revelation 20:10).
Do not listen to the negative talk from worldly, skeptical people (James 4:11-12) even if they are friends and family. Listen to your Father in Heaven. Some have never faced a battle like this. Perhaps you think at times that you are not going to make it. Some are not only fed up and ready to throw in the towel, but the whole kit and caboodle. Don't do it.
God is fashioning you for better things. Do not live by your carnal desires and human understanding. More important than avoiding the negativity of others is to stop being negative yourself! Bring those thoughts unto the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
Remember, Jesus is your burden-bearer. This trial will end. God is a master artist. You are being made into something beautiful (1 John 3:2) because God is beautiful (Psalm 90:17). As for now, you only see a small part of the picture. Let His master strokes have their way and you get out of the way. Your untrained brush will simply ruin a masterpiece in the making.
The flood, the fire, the wind and the waves will not overtake you! "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee" (Isaiah 43:2).
Even in your weakness, God "will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail" (Isaiah 58:11).
Listen, you're going to make it. Yes, you've made mistakes, but He is protecting you and gently guiding your life into the place of victory. Some of you have been in the desert for years. Before he began his ministry, Paul served time in the desert (Galatians 1:17) and now you are about to come out of yours. Don't fear, you'll come through this and then you will start shouting like never before!
So get up, dust yourself off and take a stand! The devil is afraid, not you.
He senses impending doom for himself and his kingdom.He knows his time is short (Revelation 12:12).
Demons have emotions (James 2:19). Don't give the devil more credit than he should have. Even the enemy of your soul knows that one day this whole thing is going to end and he is the worst for it (Revelation 20:3, 10).
Ever seen a caged animal cornered? They get desperate. Does it seem like the devil simply won't let up on you? Guess what? The devil is nervous. The devil is paranoid. The devil is scared. His kingdom will soon fall and he hates you because you belong to Jesus and Jesus defeated him (1 John 3:8). He's scared, not you (2 Timothy 1:7).
He senses the Church of Jesus Christ is going through Transition.
Transition means passing from one condition to another. The Church is not going to remain like it is now. We are going to be changed - transitioned - into a glorious Church, a powerful Church, and a Church without spot or wrinkle. The devil knows this.
A bus is coming and there is nothing he can do about it. "Life is what happens while you are waiting for the bus." You are on the bus. No, I'm not talking about the rapture; but the transition from passiveness to passion - from a confusing spirit to a conquering spirit; from a spiritual laziness to lambasting the devil. Maybe you better stand up (Ephesians 6:13-14).
He senses the Church will have a fresh discernment of his devices.
Read 2 Corinthians 2:11. Have you ever been in that place where you didn't know if the problems you were facing were demonic, a test from God, or simply the actions of well-meaning but immature Christians? The time is coming (the devil knows) when the Church will have discernment like never before.
The Word of God is described as "sharper than any double-edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12). This applies to the written Word of God. However, I'm convinced that Jesus, the Word of God, is going to be "sharper" in us in the area of discernment.
We'll be able to cut through all the confusing spiritual red tape that the enemy throws at us and we will see clearly with 20/20 spiritual vision. We won't enter the battle half blind, but rather, we will blind the enemy and slaughter him (2 Kings 6:15-17). We will rush him and overtake him and take back the goods that he robbed from us.
Remember, you are not fighting against flesh and blood, unruly sheep, gossipmongers, etc., but satan himself (Ephesians 6:12). Stop looking in the natural. Your battle is not worldly; it's spiritual and you are destined to win the battle.
Bottom Line: satan wants you to quit! Don't Do It!
Fellow saint, do not leave the vineyard God has assigned to you (John 21:15-17). The very thing you are facing is preparing you for greater fruitfulness. Nothing of lasting value comes without a struggle. Tend the flock and concentrate on your noble calling. Fainting? Read Luke 18:1-8.
Do not remove your hands from that plow. Stop looking back. There is nothing back there but a slippery slope. You know that. Look up. People are depending on you. Weaker saints are looking to you. You are valuable to God. You are loved greatly (1 John 3:1).
Do not listen to your emotions. They are a fertile field for the enemy's attack. Your feelings will tell you to abandon the ship. Satan will tell you it isn't worth it any longer. He lies. He always lies. Resist him (James 4:7). Tell him to go to his future home (Revelation 20:10).
Do not listen to the negative talk from worldly, skeptical people (James 4:11-12) even if they are friends and family. Listen to your Father in Heaven. Some have never faced a battle like this. Perhaps you think at times that you are not going to make it. Some are not only fed up and ready to throw in the towel, but the whole kit and caboodle. Don't do it.
God is fashioning you for better things. Do not live by your carnal desires and human understanding. More important than avoiding the negativity of others is to stop being negative yourself! Bring those thoughts unto the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
Remember, Jesus is your burden-bearer. This trial will end. God is a master artist. You are being made into something beautiful (1 John 3:2) because God is beautiful (Psalm 90:17). As for now, you only see a small part of the picture. Let His master strokes have their way and you get out of the way. Your untrained brush will simply ruin a masterpiece in the making.
The flood, the fire, the wind and the waves will not overtake you! "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee" (Isaiah 43:2).
Even in your weakness, God "will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail" (Isaiah 58:11).
Listen, you're going to make it. Yes, you've made mistakes, but He is protecting you and gently guiding your life into the place of victory. Some of you have been in the desert for years. Before he began his ministry, Paul served time in the desert (Galatians 1:17) and now you are about to come out of yours. Don't fear, you'll come through this and then you will start shouting like never before!
So get up, dust yourself off and take a stand! The devil is afraid, not you.
Al Thomas
Celebrating His Life Ministries
Email: a.thomas@myactv.net
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