Kill. Steal. Destroy.

KILL. STILL. DESTROY.

Do you ever feel like life is just bringing you down? The smallest things happen that just ruin your whole attitude and outlook on everything? These feelings my friend, come from a fellow with the name of Satan, better knows as “the devil” - God’s biggest enemy - OUR biggest enemy. He comes to KILL, STEAL, and DESTROY. Whether it’s a small thing in life, or big thing, Satan is always watching and ready to take advantage of any and all situations, especially unfortunate situations, so that he can bring us down and as far away from God as possible.

Whether our struggle is physical, mental, or spiritual, Satan is ready to take us down and bring us to our lowest. He knows where we are the weakest and he knows the easiest areas to get to us. He watches everything happen in our lives, waiting for the right opportunities. Whether it’s a relationship, financial struggle, health issue, etc., Satan throws thoughts in our heads in order to attack our emotions to make us struggle more than what we have to.

Have you ever been told you were exaggerating about something? Well, Satan causes you to exaggerate your problems. You’re problem may be huge or even life threatening, or it may me something small but that affects you greatly. I’m here to tell you NOTHING is too big for God. Satan only wants us to exaggerate our problems, which can cause us to dwell on them. This can easily suck the life and joy we have in Jesus out of us! He uses these tactics to distract you from the fact that God is mighty and in control, and is the only one who can bring joy when and where it is hard to find.

Satan comes to STEAL your joy, KILL your spirit, and DESTROY your hope, trust and faith in the one true God. 

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” -John 10:10

Many times, it is evident when you find yourself feeling brought down that it could be Satan just trying to make you see things in a negative way or trying to kill your positive spirit. These times, my friends, are the times you must verbally, out loud, tell Satan to back off and that God is fighting this battle for you and you have NOTHING to worry about.

Have you watched the movie War Room yet? If not, you are missing out on an AMAZING spiritual, life lesson. A mother/wife yells out to Satan something along the lines of “Get out of my house!” “You are no longer welcome!” “This is God’s territory now!” After that specific demand took place, boy did God work miracles in that home! You MUST resist the devil and turn to God if you want your joy back! He WILL flea when you use the power of the Holy Spirit in your heart to fight him off. God is the ultimate ruler and He always conquers.

Aside of the times when you know that it’s the enemy trying to attack you, there are other times he can be more sneaky. Ever heard of the phrase “a wolf in sheep’s clothing”? This is EXACTLY how Satan tries to sneak around and deceive you. He makes people/things/situations appear to be something they are not.

“No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” -2 Corinthinans 11:14

“But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.” -2 Corinthians 11:3

More times than not, Satan comes dressed as what you would think to be good, God or a “God sign”. This can be the most confusing and frustrating thing you face when making decisions in life. You may think it’s God giving you His sign to do something or the Holy Spirit giving you comfort in a decision you’ve made or are about to make, when unfortunately, it could merely be Satan trying to steer you in the wrong and opposite direction God wants you to go. This happens a lot when you are being tempted to sin as well. The sin will sound justifiable while Satan is putting it into your head, but really, it’s not. No sin is justifiable. A sin is a sin and a sin is wrong. Period. (As a Christian, we know we are humans and will always have a sinful nature, however; it’s our job to do our best at recognizing a sin and controlling ourselves before we fall under it’s temptation.)

ANYWAY, the big question is, how do you know if it’s God or if it’s the enemy? The best answer I can provide is a fairly simple answer. It’s the only answer I have been given. Look at every single aspect of the situation/person/thing you are contemplating or considering and ask yourself if they line up with the Word of God and His teachings? Is it something God would be proud of and would it bring earthly blessings and Heavenly rewards to your table? If it is still unclear and to the point where the wolf could be disguised too well, take a deep look inside your heart and ask the Holy Spirit to give you a specific gut feeling of what’s right and what’s wrong. (If you spend time letting your lips and heart be silent, and simply allow God to speak to you, you will learn how to easily hear the Spirit whispering the right thing into your heart.) At the same time, during a time like this, answers may not come quickly and decisions may be postponed, but that’s why it is SO important for us to trust in the Lord and be PATIENT for His timing and His perfect plan. 

See, Satan is the opposite of God. God only brings goodness, comfort, and joy to our lives. Satan’s goal is to steal from you the joy and comfort that God provides and deceive you into following him instead. Unfortunately, allowing Satan to rule your life can only lead to negativity. He can completely destroy your life if you allow him.

Below are of few verses from God’s Word that reflect and reiterate that our Heavenly Father is loving and on your side, wants you to depend on Him, and is always there to fight for you when the enemy attempts to attack.

“But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” - 2 Thessalonians 3:3

God is Good

"Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore He instructs sinners in the way." -Psalm 25:8

"For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You." -Psalm 86:5

In order to allow God to fight your battles, you must learn the differences between God's ways and Satan’s ways and you must discover the tactics given through His Word to help you withstand the tempting and trying times.

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” -Ephesians 6:11

The Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10-18

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God,so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powersof this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Thanks so much for taking time to read this lengthy note. I hope and pray it’s a message to you from God. Without a doubt, if you allow one spiritual seed to be planted in your life, God will give it the rain and sunshine you need in order to grow in your walk with Him.

~ Lindsey Gray