Persecution, Plots, & Ploys

I recently read the biographies of 8 women from different parts of the world who’ve lived through terrible persecution because of their faith. (Great book!)

Real places in today’s world: Indonesia, Bhutan, China, Russia, Vietnam

Real women named Adel, Purnima, Ling, Mai, Sabina, Gladys, and Tara.

Real persecution: beatings, separation from family, prolonged imprisonment, starvation, forced marriage, disowned by family, hunted by officials

The true stories spotlighted the intensity and peril that some are asked to endure for being a Christian.  It certainly increased my awareness and concern for my persecuted sisters in other nations and gave perspective on my own (definitely more petty) trials.

So far, God has NOT asked me to defend my faith at the cost of my safety.  Satan has not used that specific means to tempt me to deny my Savior.

But I’d be foolish to think that Satan is not JUST AS INTERESTED to use the means he does have at his disposal to tempt and try me….to the same end.

[I fully acknowledge my testing is not to the degree of these brave women (and many more) I’ve mentioned. But the end goal of Satan is just as alive in ALL our lives…even here in safely protected America.]

What does Satan use in your life to tempt you to deny, downplay, or distract from your faith, from Christ?

It may not be the sword….but it is something.

Consider for a moment: Where or when are you most prone to take your eyes off the goal (loving God) and instead take active interest in right now (loving self)?

Often it is GOOD things: children, a job, stress-reduction, health, education, security, financial strength, accomplishment

Sometimes it is NEUTRAL things: emotions, experiences, desire for ease/comfort, being left alone, my preference in how things go down, my way in how tasks should be done.

For some it is EVIL: the forbidden pleasure, the tiny deceit, the  step-over-my-conscience-just-a-little choice, the “set up the patio furniture, cause we’re resting with a cool drink” attitude toward our lives that reeks of self-indulgence.

Yep, Satan’s attacks on Christians to pour water on the fire of our testimony comes in lots of different ploys.

Where does he try to get you? 

Don’t know? If you don’t know your weak spot, be sure the enemy will exploit it. 

Give some thought, some prayer, and perhaps some conversation with another to identify your personal vulnerability in this way.

Here are 4 questions to get you started:

1.       What do I most look forward to and enjoy at the end of a long day/week/project?

How might Satan use this pleasure to distract me from my love for and devotion to God?

2.       What sin area do I most repeatedly struggle with, do I find reoccurring defeat?

How might Satan use condemnation or hopelessness to dim my view of God’s love for me?

3.       What aspects of my role and responsibilities am I naturally drawn to, suited for, confident in?

How might Satan use these innate abilities and giftings to foster self-reliance instead of God-dependence?

4.       What do the ‘tapes that play again and again in my head’ tell me,  and how do these line up to God’s truth?

How does Satan leverage these lies to make me believe or feel differently than what is true?

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

1 Peter 5:8-9

Next post? A surprising (or maybe not!) area in my own life that I’ve had to come to terms with in this regard…