John, age 22, help desk professional
On Monday morning, May 22nd, John wakes up frustrated. Recently, he’d been spending so much time at work (and been so tired after coming home) that he’d let numerous bills and household responsibilities pile up. John had planned that on the weekend of the 19th, he would “get himself together,” pay all his bills (and late fees), clean up his dirty condo, wash three weeks worth of clothes, and refuse to watch any television until all these chores were done. “This is it,” he’d thought. “There’s no way in the world that I’m gonna squander God’s blessings by not even cleaning up and paying my bills on time. That’s crazy.” But by the time that weekend had arrived, John did everything but what he had planned to do. He’d slept, watched television, went out to eat with friends, and visited Best Buy. This is why he’s frustrated this Monday morning.

After shutting off his annoyingly loud alarm clock, John stares at his bedroom ceiling. “God, what is wrong with me? Why is it that whenever I plan to do something productive, I just don’t do it? Do I have A.D.D. or something? All I have to do is do what I say I’m gonna do. Simple as that. This happens all the time, God, and even when I ask You to help me be diligent, I still end up like this.” John spends the next 30 minutes complaining about his flesh. Consequently, most of the rest of John’s day is ruined. He almost gets into an accident on his way to work, and his attitude at work is so grim that his coworkers don’t want to deal with him.

Wait a second!

Looks like the devil bamboozled John. How so? He didn’t embrace the truth of who he really was; rather, John believed what his emotions told him at the time. And guess what? Satan uses our emotions and temporary feelings against us everyday! I think that for many of us, Satan’s tactics are so easy for him that he’s getting bored. All he has to do is put one thought in our minds, and when we speak or think that thought, embracing it as our own, it becomes truth for us. Please watch what you say and think! You don’t want to agree to anything that isn’t based on the truth of God’s Word.

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit” – Psalm 18:21

The truth of the matter about John is that nothing is “wrong” with him! He doesn’t have Attention Deficit Disorder, and his negative self-talk isn’t helping the situation. The Scripture tells us that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1), but all John is doing with his words is agreeing with Satan! In Psalm 13:2, the author asks, “How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?” Fact is, John is utterly righteous before God, because he has believed God by faith enough to receive salvation. He’s who God created him to be and is being renewed everyday (Colossians 3:10). John’s been bamboozled into making himself believe he’s worthless, when in fact, he’s worth so much that Almighty God died for Him! What he should have said was, “I know I screwed up again, but God, I will continually pray and believe that You will deliver me because Your own word says that if I ask according to Your will, it will be given to me. And God, I may not be perfect, but I am righteous in You, I have a purpose, You created me for a reason, and my trials are simply making me more equipped to do Your will. Praise God!”

Traci, age 35, Cosmetologist
After fumbling with her keys for two minutes, Traci finally gets through her apartment door. Slamming the door shut, Traci retreats to her bedroom and sits on the side of the bed. Reaching into the paper bag she got from the drug store, Tracy pulls out three bottles of sleeping pills. Suddenly, she feels a rush run through her spine. Yeah, people would miss her if she did it, but life is difficult enough as it is. Too difficult. And in addition to her financial troubles, her inability to pay bills, her late payments to her son’s private school, and her beauty school student loans, she had the nerve to go over to Jermaine’s house last night.

“God, why on Earth did I do that? Why did you let me? I’ve been standing for 18 months – ever since I got saved – and I just throw it all away like this? And this guy. I met him on the street! And you know I’ve never been one of those women who likes the whole ‘green eyes’ thing. Why did he appeal to me then? God, I knew why he invited me over last night. But I fell for it anyway! And he didn’t even have much to offer, either. I could have had more pleasure watching a made-for-TV movie. I can’t believe it. I’m such a trick. The way I’m feeling right now, it’s just not worth it.”

Wait a minute!

Traci got bamboozled, too. Now, each one of us in this walk knows how the devil operates. He places delicious temptations in front of your face, and when you fall to the temptation, he condemns you, making you feel like the jam between your toes. Not to mention the accusations he spews about you in front of Almighty God. That’s his job! Yes, Traci was absolutely wrong for having sex outside of marriage. After all, the Holy Bible instructs us that sex is for married people. Our violation of that is why we have many of the problems we have today. But Traci should not be considering suicide! Psalm 24:1 tells us that “The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” You should never take what doesn’t belong to you. Even your life, which really isn’t yours at all. But Traci allowed herself to be tricked by Satan in a lot of what she said and allowed herself to think. Remember that the mind is very powerful, and whatever thoughts you allow yourself to receive as your own will be followed by your own action. This can be very destructive. Especially when you think and speak things not consistent with the Word of God.

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel” – Genesis 3:15

Ever since Eve sinned way back in the day, there has been trouble between Satan and the female gender. In fact, the devil has been purposely targeting women, knowing that women are the ones who give birth, raise children, and impact society. In Traci’s case, she should know that she is not a “trick,” but a woman of God created for a purpose. God speaks to us all when he said to the prophet Jeremiah, “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” It is worth it, Traci. Most of all, because one fact remains: God and His people have already won! What this sister should have said was, “Lord, I admit that life is really challenging for me right now. Have mercy on me, Lord. Forgive me of all of my sins. Thank you, Lord. I receive Your forgiveness because I know my sin bill has already been paid in full, back on the cross. I’ve made many bad mistakes, but I belong to You, God. I am righteous in Your sight because of my faith in You. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. God, You don’t make mistakes. Lord, I pray and trust You will deliver me and help me live righteously before You. I trust that You will meet all of my needs, because You alone are in control. And I will keep praying, believing You, Lord, until I see results!"

These are but a couple of real-life situations, and there are as many of these with detailed specifics as there are people, but Satan’s goal remains the same: steal, kill and destroy. Again, once he has your mind, your actions will follow. Throughout the Psalms, David often began in despair, faint of heart, and prayed or praised himself out of a funk. It is impossible to be in despair and praise God at the same time. Try it.

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers" – Luke 22:31,32

Eve The Zealot – Yuinon Local 202