One of Satan's greatest tactics is one we often tend to overlook! We face our
day to day challenges, but we never stop to wonder why we become so discouraged
at times. But discouragement is one of the devil's greatest weapons! Look at the
way he tempted Jesus mercilessly! His only purpose was to discourage Jesus from
His mission!
"If you are the Son of God…" (Matt 4:3 NIV) "If you are the Son of God…" (Matt
4:6 NIV) "if you will bow down and worship me." (Matt 4:9 NIV)
The devil often uses doubt to bring out discouragement: "You are no Christian!
How could you? Look at all the horrible things you've done!" "Jesus can't love
you!" "There is no forgiveness for you! You blew it this time!" "You are a
worthless gnat! You don't deserve sympathy!"
The devil's goal is to discourage us to the point that we give up. Why go on, if
there's no hope? Why hang on, if there's no solution? Not only is Satan's
mission for us to forfeit our purpose in this life, it is also to eventually
make us turn our backs on God so that he can welcome us with open arms (and
pitch forks!) in hell! Anyone who does not worship God worships the devil, even
if we aren't aware of it!
"…most of them were defeated by temptation during the hard times in the desert…"
(1 Cor 10:5 The Message)
When we are hopeless, what is the use to even try!
In my years in this ministry, I have discovered a very interesting fact. Anyone
who volunteers to make a difference in this world by joining Answers2Prayer has
always been faced with heavy discouragement! In fact, some never even make it
beyond their initial email showing interest in becoming a prayer warrior!
Everyone who has ever applied has faced either an increase in temptation, or a
grave accident, or illness, or criticism, or even the death of a loved one.
Every time these were met with utter discouragement and a great temptation to
not fulfil the purpose God had put in their hearts. Although these temptations
can happen at any time, the worst of these discouraging attempts always happens
in the first few months of their initial interest. The devil is quite good with
his tools of destruction!
His purpose is quite clear in such contexts: to discourage us from the mission
Jesus gave each of us! "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Matt 28:19-20 NIV)
Amazingly, for each one who has abandoned their mission, God has raised up
another person! Only in eternity will we realize all of our missed
opportunities!
Discouragement is truly an attractive illicit lover that keeps us away from
experiencing God to the fullest! (In fact, all temptation attempts eventually
leads to discouragement!)
What should we do when confronted with such assaults? Let's remember who is in
charge! "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.`` (Matt
28:18 NIV)
Let's rely on the One who sustains us! ``And surely I am with you always, to the
very end of the age.`` (Matt 28:20 NIV)
Let's face the evil one and claim like Jesus: "Away from me, Satan! For it is
written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" (Matt 4:10 NIV)
It is time that we use the devil's weapons against the evil one himself! He too
can be discouraged if we stand firm on the rock of our salvation! ``Then the
devil left him`` (Matt 4:11 NIV) ``They defeated him through the blood of the
Lamb and the bold word of their witness.`` (Rev 12:11)\
We are not the only ones who can be discouraged! Hallelujah!
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.