The Father of Lies & Master of Illusion

The devil is a lie and the father of ALL lies. We know this, we have read this, and again we know this. He is also the master of illusion which too is a lie, a trickery of the mind and eyes. He will have us believing something is when it isn't and, that something isn't when it really is.

Yesterday I posted about a thicker skin and thorns and today I wanted to follow up by adding that sometimes the devil will make us think we have a thorn when really and truly its not anything or it is of little significance. He will place thoughts in our minds to take our focus off of God and sometimes what we think is a fiery test is really and truly a figment of an illusion that we have allowed the devil to present to us. This is why we have to press to cast down every imagination, every thought, every thing that is not of God.

It is a MUST that we stay before God, seeking his wisdom and hearing his voice on everything that we are faced with. Just as Paul besought the Lord thrice, God was faithful to answer him and let him know that he was in a test, and that he would give him the grace to go through it he is faithful to do the same for us.

But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.Jeremiah 7:23

Tests, Temptations and Thicker Skin

Many times when we think of being tempted or temptations, we think of a big obvious pulling for us to do wrong, but I am starting to see that it is not always the big things that tempt us, but the little subtle temptations to not die out to our will that ends up being a big battle. For me lately I have had to stay before God and ask him to give me the grace to continue to remain in his will in dealing with someone who I feel is a thorn in my side. A very hurtful thorn that is just scratching away at my skin, which I now know is not as tough as it needs to be.

We know that as saved Christians we are supposed to show love to everyone at all times, even our enemies. Scripture tells us to heap coals of fire on their head and to love our enemies. If we know what we read, how then does it become a test not to and to do our will and retreat to our turtle shell of protection? Flesh by far does not like to be hurt, not even a slight nick or scratch, but our tests are only to make us stronger. If that is the case, we should be seeking for a total strength of our mind, body, soul, even skin. Just as the skin on your body is an outer layer of protection, so is your spiritual skin. If it is too thin, then it will tear and little infectious things will start to penetrate through and work on deteriorating your heart, and mind, and eventually your soul. If your skin is thick, then it will protect you from tears, and things will not be able to penetrate it as easily.

I was reading an article about temptation and how just as Jesus had only the word to use on the enemy, we too must use the word and the word only. We have to find those skin thickening scriptures and say them out loud at times in order to fight the hurt from those thorns that Satan uses to buffet us. Some thorns God may not remove, but I truly believe that as our skin thickens, the thorns buffet us less until eventually we will not even know they are there.

2 Corinthians 12:7-9
7And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

The Devil In My Chair!!!!!!

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you 1 Peter 4:12

Isn't if funny how when the Lord leads you to encourage someone, how the devil will always step in and try to take your joy???

This morning on my route to work,I was talking to someone about about a employment situation and I was trying to offer words of encouragement, we even prayed about the situation for God to bless and show himself, little did I know what was in store for me when I arrived to work. I came to work full of joy, feeling encouraged and energized in my soul, but when I turned the key to my office it was if Satan, Beeazlebub, Lucifer, or whatever you like to call him was sitting in my chair, arms crossed like "Hey Girl, I've been waiting on you, what took you so long to get here" I mean the devil showed himself through a co-worker as soon as I walked in! But I thank God for showing himself to me by allowing me to encourage someone else earlier.

By being able to encourage someone else, I too was able to be encouraged, I was "prayed up" as we say, because as the devil was attacking my friend, he was roaring about seeking to devour me also! God however, is faithful to prepare us for these types of days. Like Paul said in Scripture, " think it not strange" why would I expect anything less from the devil when I am upsetting him by exposing him to someone else! I wanted to be upset with my co-worker because her behavior shocked me, but then I had to stop and thank God for showing me her true colors as we like to say and allowing me to see that I had put too much confidence in her. He showed me her fruit and it wasn't sweet like I thought! But still, I had to humble myself and treat her with an extra dose of kindness and by doing so, I have been happy today.

The thought then occurred to me that I must explain this to my children. They need to understand early that when people are mean or hurtful, or intentionally rude or unthoughtful, that we as Christians need to think it not strange, and that when you don't think that its strange then it makes it easier to see the devil behind the person playing his infamous role of puppet master. We also need to let them know that when they get into situations where they want to be upset at someone for being mean that they must continue to pray for them and show them love and kindness.

Just as the devil is after us, he is also after our children and they don't know all of his tricks just yet. We need to teach them Scriptures they can use to encourage themselves. Today I choose Proverbs 16:7When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. (My wonderful dad used this scripture to encourage me today!)

I believe that this will be both a great learning and growth process for me and my children. Can you share tactics you use to help teach your children to fight the enemy? Or what you use to fight the enemy?