Standing When Everything Is Falling (1)
Satan wants to tempt, trap and topple you. One of his favourite lies is that you can’t fall. He appeals to your ego: ‘You’ve got your spiritual act together; you’re too strong to stumble. Weaker people wouldn’t be able to handle it, but you can.’ This lie is intended to make you over-confident, to lead you to ‘...Trust in man…depend on flesh for (your) strength’ and ‘...turn away from the Lord.’ (Jeremiah 17:5 NIV) It’s designed to get you to lower your guard and make you vulnerable to his plans. Don’t believe it! Be wise: ‘Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.’ (Proverbs 16:18 NKJV) Live on your knees. Strengthen yourself with God’s Word. Another of Satan’s favourite lies is that you can’t stand. This appeals to your underlying sense of unworthiness, fear and inadequacy. He whispers, ‘Look at your past. Compared to all those other good people in church, you’re not worthy to be called a Christian. Just give up.’ Satan wants you to take your eyes off ‘...Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy.’ (Jude 1:24 NAS) He wants to get you focused on your negatives, your wayward friends, spiritual giants who fell, and tell you that because they couldn’t make it, you’ve no chance. He’ll replay your list of failures to discourage you. Don’t go for it. ‘...He is a liar and the father of lies.’ (John 8:44 NAS) Believing him makes you his victim. Refuse to let either pride or inadequacy defeat you.