Watch for Signs that Satan will use to disrupt our faith in God.

Watch for Signs that Satan will use to disrupt our faith in God.

Are any of us aware of how he reaches into our daily life and causes responses against our closest relatives or friends that will create paranoid actions towards them?

The reality of how our inappropriate thinking has  become an obstacle at times that will affect the common sense we should use in everything before jumping to conclusions, we should take a look at the biblical story of God, Satan, and a man who trusts in God, first. 

One day, when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, Satan also came among them.  And the Lord said to Satan, “Whence do you come?”  Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “From roaming the earth and patrolling it.”  And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job, and there is no one on earth like him, blameless, upright, fearing God  and avoiding evil.”  But  Satan answered the Lord and said, “Is it for nothing that Job is God-fearing?”  Have you not surrounded him and his family and all that he has with your protection?  You have blessed the work of his hands, and his livestock are spread over the land.  But now put forth your hand and touch anything he has, and surely he will blaspheme you to your face.”  And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power;  only do not lay a hand upon his person.”  So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.   (Jb 1: 6 - 12). 

Is this a familiar instance in the lives of any of us who works with the same diligence of this man Job?  Being successful in any area of ministry does not mean we will not experience problems.  However, God will use this person with blessings that may not be found in other people.  Watch now; Satan didn’t just set an example with this man Job.  He will indeed reach into the lives of any one else that has placed their trust in God and continue to reach out to the unchurched.  I dare say, “If you have found this to be true in your own ministry and the effects of this have caused a disruption with family and  friends, know that Satan will use anything to weaken your faith.  The disruptions might be a severe problem with a relative that has never been seen before.  Because of your attachment to doing the work of God Satan will attack these others as a sign of his relentless way to pull your trust away from God.

The appropriate manner for each of us in ministry is to get closer to the Lord and admit that these upheavals in our personal life is an attack and we must see that for what it is.  Once the light turns on and the area becomes more clear as to who is behind all of this the battle is over and God’s grace will become the strength we needed in the first place. 

I have just been through a similar instance of an attack from Satan concerning personal and family matters that could have been listed as paranoia.  After going back to the moments of anger or accusations of a ridiculous nature it came to me that none of these thoughts were necessary to get through the day to day existence of finding common peace with everyone involved.  One might say, “It was your own weakness that allowed these moments to infiltrate your mind.”  But after some words from the Holy Spirit I realized this story of Job was meant for my own deliberation and contemplation.   I can see how Satan will make all attempts to pull any one of us in ministry away from our assigned mission and say to God, “See, you were wrong God. Here is another weak human who could not handle the challenge I presented him with,”   Do not fall under that temptation of Satan!

Ralph B. Hathaway