How Does the Enemy Try to Silence You?

04.01.2020 by Tracy Stella //

Welcome to our FACETS community. We all need more community these days. Don’t let yourself isolate. We need each other. We’re vulnerable when we are off by ourselves. Remember, you are not alone (Immanuel). We are God’s kids and we’ll get through this period of isolation together by reaching out to one another from afar. Let us know how we can be praying for you!

As I (Tracy) consider our topic this month, I think a better question might be, “How DOESN’T the enemy try to silence you?” Sometimes, his schemes can feel overwhelming, never-ending, relentless even.

But there’s good news in that. (Really?) Really!

in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.”─2 Corinthians 2:11 NIV

We are not unaware of his schemes. We know he lies. He destroys. His desire is to kill everything in his path. (John 10:10) If you are living for Christ, he has it out for you.

But don’t lose hope.

He uses the same old bag of tricks. Again, we are not UNAWARE of his schemes.

If we were playing cards, he’d have to fold. We know what’s in his hand. And we can call his bluff every time in Christ.

I do not recommend fighting the devil in your own strength. He is stronger than us. He can outwit us as humans. But he doesn’t stand a chance against us in Christ!

Good news #1:

We are not unaware of his schemes. Knowing the enemy’s methods of warfare, helps us know how to fight the good fight.

Know Ephesians 6 like nobody’s business. The best defense is a good offense, they always say. Right? Okay, so then that means we should always use God’s Word as our offensive weapon. Know what God’s Word says. Know the truth in its pages. It is for us. It is for today.

God’s Word has gotten me through some tough times!

Recently, there were false accusations made against me – publicly. (Okay, accuser of the brethren, we are not unaware of your schemes.) I was fighting to hold my head up and keep walking forward. I couldn’t really defend myself in that situation, and I was feeling pretty downcast.

But the brilliance of God and His ministry through His Word, led me to this Scripture.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable─if anything is excellent or praiseworthy─think about such things.─Philippians 4:6-8 NIV

I’ve read this passage countless times, but God chose to highlight a few words that ministered to my heart. He wanted me to pay particular attention to “whatever is true”. It was like He had taken His holy highlighter, and made those words jump off the page.

Whatever is true.

Doesn’t that sound like the perfect anecdote to the schemes of the biggest liar of all?

Satan doesn’t stand a chance when God is in our corner!

God guided me to write that Scripture down and carry it with me. It’s still in my purse.

That way, whenever the enemy starts to taunt with his lies, I am fully prepared─not unaware. There are times when I don’t wholeheartedly believe the opposite of the accusations against me (initially). That’s okay. I might not have power in the moment, but God’s Word does. His Word will give my voice power. Say it enough times and it starts to ring true. Praise God!

Whatever is true─think about such things.

There’s more good news when we are under attack.

Good news #2:

The enemy doesn’t mess with us if we aren’t making kingdom impact. If we aren’t somehow radiating God’s goodness to others, we would not be on his radar. When we love God and try to fulfill the calling He has placed on our lives, the enemy doesn’t like that, of course. I’ve told others this, and sometimes I need to remind myself, when the enemy comes against us, we should consider it a compliment.

If we’re making no impact on Christ’s behalf, the enemy would leave us alone. How do I know? I have about 4 decades of proof before I became a believer.

Once the enemy had me mired down in sin – mine and others, he left me to my own devices. He didn’t need to put a wedge between me and God or the things of God. I was oblivious to them.

But now? Now, I love the Lord. I want to do what He wants me to do. But like Paul, I don’t always do the things I know God would want me to. So frustrating, can I tell you. I do find comfort that EVEN PAUL had this struggle. He was a brilliant follower of Christ, radically transformed, and talk about kingdom impact─we’re still walking in it today! Yet for all this man did for Christ, he didn’t execute flawlessly, the way he hoped he would, the way he thought Christ would want him to.

In the apostle Paul’s words,

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do─this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.─Romans 7:15-20 NIV (emphasis added)

Thank you, Saint Paul, for admitting your failures. It helps us when we have them too! We can fail forward.

If you are reading this and you don’t have a relationship with Jesus, never judge Him by His followers. We are not Him. We will get it wrong a lot of the time. Even when we don’t want to. I have no idea why He thought it was a good idea to use normal, everyday people, to help others know who He is. That might not have been my plan, just saying. Except for, maybe this, it’s coming to my mind:

God loves us and uses us for good, beautiful, purposeful things in spite of us and our sinful nature. He has this attribute called grace. And in His goodness He extends it to us, me and you, if we are saved. And if you are not saved, if you didn’t say “yes” in your heart to Christ, He would want you to know He accepts you flaws and all. You don’t have to be a certain way, to be perfect for Him to love you deeply just as you are.

In spite of our imperfect nature, God still uses us.

That leads me to one of the weapons the enemy tries to hurl my way, and I’m wondering if some of you can relate.

I have this deep root of perfectionism that trips me up. I can put unbelievable pressure on myself to perform. It’s really off the charts sometimes. I’m not fully sure how that root got wedged in place, but it’s deep. In my mind if I do one thing wrong, the whole thing is bad. Might as well toss it, or not do it at all. If it can’t be done with excellence, it shouldn’t be done.

While that sounds good, maybe even noble or godly to want to do things with excellence (and I think it is okay to want to do your best), God doesn’t expect perfect. He just doesn’t. He is the only One who could ever achieve that. Intellectually, I’m on board. Practically, I still trip over the root.

I say things I shouldn’t. I do things I shouldn’t. And even when I can keep those things in check, I think things I shouldn’t. Ugh, Ugh, Ugh

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.─Philippians 3:12-14 NIV (emphasis added)

Did you catch that?

Sometimes, we need to strain toward what is ahead. Push through the resistance. When we do? We are walking toward the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus to receive.

Just like Moses.

Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. ─Hebrews 3:1-2 NIV (emphasis added)

As I read Priscilla Shirer’s words, I had to chuckle.

Excuse me? Moses? Faithful? Really?1

For those of you unfamiliar with Moses’ story, he was a bit flawed. For starters, he murdered an Egyptian. He wrestled with anger and insecurity. When the Israelites did dumb things (which was a lot, LOL), he’d lose his patience. He wouldn’t be the poster child for righteousness, but we find him being called out as faithful in all God’s house.

Say what?

Here’s the thing: God knew Moses’ heart. Lean in a little closer as I share this next little nugget. He knows your heart too, dear one!

God never, not once, assigned us to walk out life or our faith perfectly. In fact, He knew well in advance we wouldn’t. Our imperfect nature reminds us that we need Him.

Well, that gives me some hope! How about you?

I love Priscilla’s words here. They are so encouraging.

In spite of all kinds of spills and sputters in the execution, Moses held fast to the calling the Lord had placed on his life. “He was faithful to the one who appointed him” (v 2 NIV). Even in the noisy wind tunnel of guilt and regret, even with loud music inviting him to dance with the decadent, he could still catch the faint whisper of heaven compelling him to forsake temporary feelings and pursuits for the sake of God’s will. And herein lies what separated him and his people from all others. He was not perfect, but he was purposeful. He wasn’t without mistake, but he was marked by God’s presence. … And even when it meant picking himself up off the deck of defeat and discouragement, he did not stop until God Himself allowed him to go no farther. He was called by heaven─an appointment that ordered his priorities, pursuits and passions. Not perfectly but persistently.1

The enemy would love nothing more than to silence me through the weight of perfectionism, even in my faith walk. But that’s when I take a deep breath, literally. Breathe and seek God. Listen to what it is He has to say.

I pay attention to the places He leads me (like Priscilla’s book with well-timed words).

None of us can ever be perfect. But we can be purposeful. When I read that, I cried – a sure sign God was reaching my heart to encourage me. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for your tender ministry toward my heart!

None of us can ever be perfect. But we can be persistent about getting back up, dusting ourselves off, and reminding ourselves God doesn’t even expect perfection. So if He is a giver of grace toward us …. maybe we should extend some to ourselves.

None of us can ever be perfect. But we can fix our eyes on His presence.

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. ─2 Corinthians 7:1 NIV

We’re perfecting holiness, not perfect. And that’s okay. Don’t believe the enemy’s lies that perfectionism is required to be used by God. It’s not true. Remember, what is true. Believe the truth.

Join the conversation here or on our Facebook page.

1 Shirer, Priscilla Evans. The Resolution: for Women. B&H Pub. Group, 2015.

What Are You Desperate for God to Do?

03.06.2018 by Tracy Stella //

Welcome to Facets of Faith. Whether it’s your first time reading or you frequently join the conversation, our team hopes you’ll stick around to read the other perspectives for this month’s topic. Jennifer and Kim will share their hearts as to what they are desperate for God to do, and we have a new guest writer coming up in week four. The beauty of writing with a team is one of our perspectives will likely hit home with you. We pray God ministers to your hearts and minds as you read what God puts on our hearts to share with you. Be blessed sweet friends!

Have you ever had one of those days? You know the kind. The ones you think it would be so much easier to throw in the towel. Mentally you resign yourself, wanting nothing more than to check out and let someone else deal with the situation, project, or person.

I have never felt that way.

Not even once.

Ha!

Not true!

Some days I am full of joy and zest for life, passion overflowing, spilling upon everyone around me. I like those days. I like myself on those days. Sunny side up. Lots of yellow to brighten spirits, mine and others’.

But what about the days when I feel downcast and discouraged?

Those are the days when I need extra doses of God and His love for me. Those are the days when I don’t care what any human being has to say (no offense intended). Human voices may be the very ones who discouraged me most that day.

Oh, I know intellectually where the source of that discouraging voice comes from. The enemy is on the sidelines gloating when he sees any of God’s children gloomy and discouraged. Perhaps he enjoys it the very most when he thinks he is interfering with God’s plan for our lives. He deludes himself into thinking he can win. But he’s not on the winning team!

Some days I need to remind him – and myself – of that fact.

According to Merriam Webster, discourage means

1: to deprive of courage or confidence: dishearten

2a: to hinder by disfavoring

2b: to dissuade or attempt to dissuade from doing something

Recently, discouraging words were spoken within my earshot. It wasn’t a word or two. It went on and on for an extended period. The longer the conversation continued, the more I withered inside. Unbeknownst (at first) to the person, little by little the lies of the enemy began to drown out the sweet still small voice of the Lord. Each word the person spoke stabbed at my heart. I wanted to leave, but I felt trapped.

Chisel, chisel, chisel … the words chipped away at my heart and my spirit. I went from excited about what God is doing in my life to disheartened.

Not because of anything God had said or done. This wasn’t the voice of encouragement, or even quiet correction that God might need to give. No. This voice was downright discouraging, intent on stealing every ounce of courage and joy within me as I embark upon a new endeavor.

I know why that happened. God has plans for my life. They are good. They involve others. I feel like there are amazing things He has on the horizon. My strategic brain can see His fuzzy plan in the distance. Not every step mind you, but some strong hints at where we’re going. And it’s good. It’s awesome. And the enemy wants to discourage my heart in the infancy of this new endeavor. He wants to silence me before I’ve barely gotten started.

The enemy wants to steal my courage. Remember, that’s what discouragement is, a stealing of our courage. The enemy tries to steal, kill, and destroy us at every turn (John 10:10). Discouragement is one of the tools in his arsenal of weapons.

Because the enemy has been defeated, he attempts to make us walk in defeat.

Our task is to not let him, to be spiritually aware enough to shake off his slimy words intended to weigh us down.

Many of you have probably heard that God’s Word tells us 365 times not to be afraid. In other words, to take courage. Not to be discouraged.

In moments when I feel discouraged, I am most desperate to hear God’s voice.

In moments when I feel discouraged, I am desperate for God to encourage me. I NEED His encouragement. He knows EXACTLY what words I need to hear in any given moment.

I am DESPERATE to hear God’s sweet, encouraging words. He is always in my cheering section!

Yes! This way My dear! Don’t let anyone discourage you. If you need to borrow courage, I will give you Mine. You discern correctly. We are going somewhere really wonderful together. And we will do good things together. My love for you will drown out the deceptive voice of the discourager. Take courage, dear heart. Take courage. Through My encouragement, take courage. You know how it says in My Word that the humble come to Me and I hear them? I hear you. I hear your desperate cry for encouragement. I hear your silent prayer, from your heart, for help. I hear you, dear one. I hear you.

Maybe you needed to hear those words too. Are you desperate for encouragement? Know that God hears you. I pray God speaks the words your heart needs to hear and that you absorb them into the very fiber of your being. I pray you take courage from God’s encouragement to you. Because He’s got something good for you too!

God understands our needs and desires. He understands our desperation. I am grateful for His insight and understanding. I am grateful for His still small voice that continues to speak in the midst of our despair and discouragement, The Voice that guides our heart back into alignment with His view of us and our situation.

This doesn’t mean God will never correct us, but His voice isn’t the one condemning and chipping away at our courage. Never would God speak to us in that tone. Never!

For consider Him who endured such hostility against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.─Hebrews 12:3 NKJV

As I think about Jesus and His assignment to come and save the world through His death and resurrection, I wonder how discouraged He must have felt. He was on assignment from God the Father. He was sacrificing much! Ultimately, His life. But even before that, He gave His time, talent, and attention to those around Him. He ministered from a deep well of love. Yet He experienced hostility against Himself.

If Jesus can go to the cross for my sins and your sins too, can’t we consider Him and what His Word says?

Any sacrifice I am making is nothing compared to what Jesus sacrificed (obviously). Nothing! I heard some words that I wish I wouldn’t have. But I (none of us) has endured hostility anything like what Jesus had to endure as a result of people’s sin. My sin. Your sin.

If He can utter, forgive them Father for they know not what they do as He hung from a cross, what is left for me to consider? (Luke 23:24)

I have sinned. I have been given God’s free gift of forgiveness as a result of Jesus’ sacrifice. His death and resurrection conquered the hostility that came against Him and each of us as His followers. His death conquered MY hostility toward the gospel, because I didn’t ALWAYS believe. And even as I believe, I still do things out of alignment with God’s heart. I need to forgive, because I’ve been forgiven.

If we are His children, He left us with the greatest encouragement of all. One day, heaven will come down to earth and we will abide in a peaceful dwelling with Him for all eternity. Words of discouragement and deception will not exist. Sin, mine and others’, will not exist.

Until that time, we can take courage.

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.─Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV

Jesus, who came to do good encountered great hostility and yet He still finished His assignment. He wants us to lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares (ours and others) in order to run our race with endurance. God is the author and finisher of our faith. Let His Word encourage you when others’ words attempt to weigh you down. Nothing can weigh us down when we walk in the fullness of understanding of God’s truth. Our inheritance is to be seated with Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). Nothing the enemy tries to say can change that. Nothing!

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