Faith Leader, I want to be honest with you and not sugar-coat the truth. So, here it is. You will face times of testing. This is not a negative confession but truth from God’s Word. Paul warned his protégé, Timothy, similarly. He wrote, Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12) So, if you live a godly life, you will encounter problems. I have been there many times, but God always sees me through and will do the same for you. The most important thing is never losing faith in God, regardless of what happens. I want to share four other foundational principles you should apply in times of testing. These things will start you on the path to the testimony that lies on the other side of the test.
Number One- Know the Source of Your Problem
You may be dealing with a family member, congregant, client, or co-worker who seems to be the source of all your problems. You believe if you could just rid your life of this person, your troubles would end. I know you’re thinking of someone who fits that description as you read, but that person is not the root of your trials.
Faith Leaders need to learn this lesson: people are not the source of your problem; the demons that motivate those people to stir up issues are your real problem. Ephesians 6:12 says For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. So, when people pressure you, look past them and say, “I see you, devil. You want me to get in strife and unforgiveness, but if I do that, I will not have the tools to deal with you, so I am not falling for it.”
Number Two- Close All Open Doors to the Enemy
Sometimes, tests, trials, and tribulations come to Christians because they are outside God’s will. I want to be clear about this. I am not saying that everyone who experiences challenges is in sin or rebellion against God or that it is always your fault when bad things happen. However, in some cases, unconfessed sin opens the door to the enemy, and he walks in with all his stealing, killing, and destruction. So, check your heart and your behavior. Is there anything about which you should repent? Repent means to turn away from sin and turn back to God, as 1 John 1:9 says: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. When you experience trouble, close all possible doors to the enemy by obeying God. I don’t care what has happened to you; it can be turned around when you obey God.
Number Three- Watch and Pray
I realize we live in an age where cars can drive themselves, but Faith Leaders should never live on “automatic pilot.” Jesus told one of His Faith Leaders, Peter, Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. (Mark 14:38) In other words, if you don’t take time to pray and aren’t alert to what is happening around you, you could stumble into adversity.
Those who lack a prayer life lack spiritual strength and will respond in the flesh when things come against them. Responding in the flesh or the Spirit is the difference between pain and no pain or much pain and minor pain.
Number Four- Know the Time of Testing is Temporary
Jesus spent 40 days and nights in the wilderness and was tested by the devil. Satan tempted Jesus with food, fame, and power. He tried to get Jesus to operate in the flesh instead of the Spirit, but the devil failed. Jesus replied to every temptation with the Word of God. Luke 4:13-14 tells us when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season. And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.
There was a moment when the devil began tempting Jesus in the wilderness, and there was a day when he quit. Don't give up when you’re in a difficult time. When you continually respond to the devil’s temptations with God’s Word, he will eventually get tired of hearing it. Your testing time will end, and like Jesus, you will go forward stronger than before.
Comments