1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (KJV)

Is your foundation in God secure enough to survive being tested?

As a part of your training, you will get plenty of opportunities to depart from the faith. This is when your faith is being exercised and developed. Someone will say something that triggers certain emotions. Or you will experience something that shakes you. In either case, you might make statements like:

“If this is what Christian love is, I don’t want it.”

“Maybe he/she is right, and this Christianity thing does not make sense.”

“I am the master of my fate and the captain of my ship.”

“I make things happen for me and no one else can.”

“This is too hard, no one can live the way God wants.”

When you get to that place, run to the Father. Don’t stop to think, just go to Him and say:

Psalm 61 O God hear my prayer. Listen to my heart’s cry. 2 For no matter where I am, even when I’m far from home, I will cry out to you for a father’s help. When I’m feeble and overwhelmed by life, guide me into your glory, where I am safe and sheltered. 3 Lord, you are a paradise of protection to me. You lift me high above the fray. None of my foes can touch me when I’m held firmly in your wrap-around presence! 4 Keep me in this glory. Let me live continually under your splendor-shadow, hiding my life in you forever. (TPT)

Please know the one who is whispering in your ear is a professional liar, the Father of lies, designed to cause you to question what you believe. The devil is good at his job. Be good at yours as well.

1 Corinthians 10:13-15 Any temptation you face will be nothing new. But God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can handle. But He always provides a way of escape so that you will be able to endure and keep moving forward. 14 So then, my beloved friends, run from idolatry in any form. 15 As wise as I know you are, understand clearly what I am saying and determine the right course of action. (TVT)

Know what you believe, know that you are not alone, and stand on your faith.

Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:

Father God, I don’t want to be seduced by the enemy. I know he is calculating. I know he has a well-designed strategic plan for my destruction. I repent for trying to skip the training because I thought it was hard. I know I must continue to submit to Your guidance and instruction. That is the only way I will be as strategic in my stance as the devil is in his. My life is my training. Help me continue to look at it from that perspective. Help me evaluate the godly choices and the ones that grieved You. I want to learn from both. I want to know how the enemy attacks me; so, I am not deceived. I know the only way I will resist satan is if I continue to draw closer to You. Please draw me nearer every day…

Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here: