One of the devil’s favorite and most obvious tactics for wearing away at our faith are lies. He uses those lies to cause things you might not think are from Satan, like stress, anxiety, fear, despair and fatigue. Yes, fatigue can be used by the devil to diminish your faith in God. He wants us to feel misery and have doubt. He wants us to feel like our situation is never going to change. Like we are stuck in a never-ending cycle of hopelessness. This kind of thinking can lead us to compromise our faith. It could drag us into a downward spiral of spiritual decline.
SATAN’S RAP SHEET
Satan is called the “father of lies” and a murderer by Jesus in John 8:44 (NKJV). Here, Jesus tells a group of unbelieving Jews, “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning….” Jesus continues, “(The devil)when he speaks does not stand in truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a falsehood, he speaks what is natural to him; for he is a liar(himself)and the father of lies and of all that is false.” In addition to that, 1 Peter 5:8 (AMP) tells us that the devil is a predator. One who actively hunts, kills, and confuses his prey. We are his prey. It says “…that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring(in a fierce hunger)seeking someone to seize upon and devour.” In actuality, Satan’s ultimate scheme is to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10) (NKJV). Knowing these things about the devil, we still fall into his traps. More times than not, it’s because we get distracted by all that’s going on in our lives. Corrie ten boom said, “If the devil cannot make us bad, he will make us busy.” Have you noticed something always “comes up” when you are trying to do what is right? The phone rings or the kids have an “emergency” when you are sitting down to do Bible study or meditate on the Word. It’s never silent in your space or your head when you want quiet time with the Lord. “Life” happens when you are going to go to church or your small group meeting. That’s the devil keeping you busy and distracted. There are two things you must know and believe. 1) Satan was defeated at the cross by Jesus (Colossians 2:15)(AMP). 2) Because of this, we too, can “stand up against his schemes”(Ephesians 6:11)(AMP). The devil will try any trick he can to keep us from understanding those two things.
Some of the struggles we face have practical answers. If you feel tired, try getting more rest. You can combat loneliness and a down mood by spending time with other believers or loved ones. Occasionally, you need to be put on medication to help you sleep or with your mood, and that’s okay too. God uses doctor’s and other’s to complete His work. If we don’t keep the physical under control, the devil will shift the battle. He will move it to the spiritual realm, which means your mind. It’s harder to fight him there, but not impossible. Once he begins with his talks in your head, all the work on the physical can go out the window. He may tell you you are alone in your pain. That no one else really cares. This is the battle I have been fighting. Tuesday, we had to have one of our fur babies euthanized. It felt like someone tore my insides out. The pain was and still is overwhelming and raw. Satan is in my head telling me how no one else cares that she is gone. My pain is my own. He will try to isolate you and prolong your struggle. He knows if you have the support of others you will begin to heal. Satan is trying to keep me alone in my pain, replaying it over and over in my head. If I believe I am alone and no one cares about my grief, I will get angry. Angry at all the people who, he says, don’t care that she is gone. Grief is already affecting me; now you throw anger into the mix. Those feelings fester and boil over until I’m mad at the world. A nasty, bitter person that no one wants to be around. This furthers the isolation. At this point, the devil would have had me right where he wanted me. Maybe he’s telling you you are alone in whatever you are going through. Are you worried or anxious about relationships, bills, tasks, and deadlines. Anxiety will grow and grow until you are believing anything he tells you. The peaceful or semi-peaceful reality you once had has come crashing down. There is good news. You don’t have to believe any of it-you are not alone.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV) says”… for the Lord your God, he is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Similarly, in Joshua 1:5-6 (NKJV)God says, “…so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor will I forsake you. Be strong and be of good courage….” In this verse, it is a statement directly from God.
Never leave-States that God will never abandon or neglect you. He will “never withdraw His presence from you.” He will stay with you in all situations-good and bad.
Never forsake-Emphasizes His commitment to you. It stresses that God remains steadfast in His love, never turning away or rejecting you. Even when you are feeling lonely, unworthy, and doubtful-rest assured He is with you. His love is unconditional and everlasting.
What does this mean for you? You have the assurance of Gods:
- Steadfast support-The above verses guarantee you will never be alone when experiencing trials and hardships. God’s support gives you strength, guidance and peace in all circumstances.
- Constant presence-God will always be with you. Wherever you are and in every situation, He is with you. In Matthew 28:20 (NKJV), God says “…I am with you always, even to the end of the world.”
- Unconditional love-God loves us perfectly. His love is based solely on His character, not our actions or circumstances. The truth of His constant presence demonstrates that love. Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV) states that “…no…thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NLT) tells us that the devil creates strongholds in our mind. These strongholds make us question God. They also make us doubt our beliefs and values. The devil’s strongholds are barriers, whether mental or spiritual, that prevent us from fully accepting and understanding God’s truth. Strongholds can be attitudes, thought patterns, beliefs or ideologies. Ideologies are “sets of ideas, beliefs, and values that shape how someone views the world and their place in it.” Some examples are socialism, communism, feminism, environmentalism, etc..
ATTACKS SATAN USES TO SET UP STRONGHOLDS
TEMPTATION/PRIDE
Temptation is a strong desire or urge to do something. It often refers to actions you know are wrong or unwise. It can also go against your principles or values. Satan is the master of temptation. He coaxes you to choose the instant gratification of something less. It may be less worthwhile or less pleasing. You choose this over something more valuable or a long-term goal. Satan tempts and he does so based on the individuals specific situations and desires. My temptations are exclusive to me and my circumstances and may not be the same as yours. Oddly enough, there seems to be a higher risk for Satan’s temptation when things are going well. This risk is greater than when you are facing difficulties. When we are in a season of success, the devil pushes us to rely on ourselves and our own abilities. We are encouraged to believe these over trusting God. That is called pride. In the Bible, pride is defined as “a profound spiritual issue.” It is characterized by an exaggerated sense of one’s own importance, abilities or achievements. It often leads “to arrogance, self-sufficiency, and a disregard for God’s authority and the need for others.” Proverbs 16:18 (NKJV) states, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Pride is a sin in and of itself. Satan loves pride-it is a sin he can easily worked with. If you are being prideful, you are thinking about self. You feel accomplishments and successes were brought about solely on your own merits. God has been taken out of the equation. That is a feeling/attitude that plays right into the devil’s hand. He just fosters your prideful thoughts. He points out how good things are going and how “you” have achieved so much. The evil one may congratulate you on all that “you” have done to make it happen. Once he has stroked your ego and is sure of the confidence you have in yourself, he brings up God. He tells you that you don’t need God because: “Look at the things you’ve done all on your own”. “See how well things are going.” He wants you to believe you are strong and capable. You can handle situations without the help of God.
Satan also tempts us by twisting the truth and mixing it with falsehoods. He tells you these things as if they were the truth. Satan try to make you doubt God’s goodness, love and promises. By doing this, he hopes you will question God’s character and intentions.
He will appeal to your desires of the flesh. He exploits your natural desires for pleasure, comfort and satisfaction. Satan has had thousands of years to observe human behavior and he uses your areas of weakness against you. If you are prone to anger, lust, insecurities, or addictions, he will use those. He creates situations or suggests thoughts that are likely to cause sin.
Accusations are another form of temptation. “Accuser of our brethren” is what Satan is called in Revelation 12:10. He will accuse you of being unworthy or that you have done too much to be forgiven.
Satan uses negative situations or difficult people to cause you to become angry, resentful, or even violent. He tries to separate or put a wedge between you and God, family, and friends. This causes isolation which makes you more helpless to his attacks.
Temptation is the devil’s oldest trick. He tempted and convinced Eve to eat the fruit of the only forbidden tree in the garden. She was told that her “…eyes will be opened and (she) will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5)(NKJV). Satan’s methods have been the same and our weaknesses similar throughout history. Paul gives us a warning in 1 Corinthians 10:12-14 (AMP) (It’s long but I love the way it is stated.) “Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands-who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm-take heed lest he fall (into sin). For no temptation-no trial regarded as enticing to sin (no matter how it comes or where it leads)-has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man-that is, no temptation or trial that has come to you is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as a man can bear. But God is faithful(to His Word and to His compassionate nature), and He(can be trusted)not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will (always)also provide the way out-the means of escape to a landing place-that you may be capable and strong and powerful patiently to bear up under it.” Condensed version-the temptation you face is not uncommon to man-everyone goes through it. God is not dismissing the fact that it is personal to you. But He won’t let you be tempted beyond what you can handle. Because He is faithful, He will always give you a way out, if you choose to take it. You can withstand all temptation with God’s guidance and a humble heart.
STRESS
Stress is a natural and all too often unavoidable characteristic of human existence. It is the bodies basic response to the demands and challenges experienced in daily life. Essentially, it is the reaction our brains and bodies have faced with pressure. Occasional stress is a normal coping mechanism that can be helpful for performance and focus. Excessive or chronic stress can have a negative impact on mental and physical health. It can cause worry, frustration, anger, depression, nervousness, etc.. Stress affects the body in many ways, like increased heart rate and blood pressure. It causes problems with the digestive processes and sleep issues. It also weakens your immune system.
While the original Hebrew and Greek translations don’t directly translate “stress”, but there was plenty of it in the Bible. Many people experienced what we would call stress. 1 Samuel 1:1-20(NKJV) tells the story of Hannah, who faced infertility and was mocked. This led to the emotional pain and shame many women feel today. She prayed to God and trusted in His faithfulness. God answered her prayers. She gave birth to a son, Samuel, a prophet, priest and the last judge of Israel. A true man of God.
Elijah, (1 Kings 19:1-18) (NKJV),faced death threats from a queen. Hiding in the wilderness, He prayed for death to come. Enduring the torture of Queen Jezebel frightened him. He definitely felt what we would call stress. God provided food, rest and a reminder of His holy presence. Elijah was renewed and given a new purpose. Ultimately, his life was saved and he went on to serve the Lord.
King David is mentioned in many chapters. He was hunted by a king who wanted to kill him and faced a giant. Later he was betrayed by his own son. David expressed his fear and stress in the Psalms. He looked for God’s direction and loved and praised the Lord. God protected David and restored him as one of the greatest kings in the Bible.
If anyone had stress it was Jesus. He knew His fate from birth-the agony of the cross. Can you imagine living every day of your life knowing how you would ultimately suffer? He had faith in God and believed in His purpose. Christ submitted to the Father’s will to save all those who choose to accept Him. Now He sits at the right hand of God.
There are present day martyr’s who are willing to die for their faith and beliefs in God. Valeen Schnurr, was shot in the Columbine school shooting after affirming her belief in Christ. I’m sure she felt stress as she answered the shooters question, “Do you believe in God?” A study done by Open Doors in 2024 indicated that 1 in 7 Christians, globally, experience persecution for their faith. That ranges from ridicule to work camps to death. Can you imagine the stress of living somewhere that you could be killed for owning a Bible? The Bible and present day are full of “stress”. It was just as prominent then as it is now. Satan thrives in stressful situations. He causes and enhances stress to forward his agenda. To combat stress, we must put our trust in the promises of God, be faithful, and believe in the loving kindness of the Father. We should hope to be like King David when faced with stress. He said “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him” (Psalm 28:7)(NKJV).
ANXIETY
Anxiety, while, often, being interchangeable with stress, has significant differences. Anxiety is generally present without need for external triggers. It is characterized by constant and excessive worry. These can be present without need for or without any obvious stressors. Stress is generally short-term and a response to a specific stressor. When the stressors goes away so does the stress. Anxiety, on the other hand, is a long-term state of worry, fear, or unease. It continues even when the stressors has gone. Stress tends to be a reaction to a present, immediate demand or challenge. Anxiety is more focused on the future, with “what ifs” and being worried about possible negative outcomes. Significantly impacting your ability to function in day to day life is another affect of anxiety. It can affect home, work, and relationships. Anxiety has the probability of becoming more severe to the point of debilitating panic attacks. Prolonged anxiety can affect the brain and contribute to anxiety disorders. Philippians 4:6 (AMP) tells us “Do not be worried or have any anxiety about anything….” I realize that’s easier said than done. It’s especially difficult when you have the devil whispering in your head. Jesus calls him the “evil one” in John 17:15. He starts by saying things to make the anxiety worse. Speaking to specific worries and concerns you have. Once he has you all worked up, he, inevitably, begins to throw God into the mix. He tries to get you to doubt God’s love and concern for you. Wants you to forget the Father’s promises to always be there for you. Have you ever heard, “God didn’t answer ‘that’ prayer, He won’t answer ‘this one’ either? Or “If He really loved you, why is He letting you feel this way?” “Why doesn’t He just take these feelings away?” Those are from my own experience but I would wager many of you have heard the same things. Satan will say whatever fits the situation to put more doubt in your head.
Why does he whisper? I have two theories. First, He wants to confuse you. His whole goal is to make you question. When he whispers, he hopes you confuse him with God. God speaks in the silence of your mind, so Satan whispers to appear like God. My second guess is that with the fragile state of our minds, it yields him better results. Like I said, he’s been around for thousands of years. He is, by no means, stupid. As stated, his ultimate purpose is to get you questioning. He thinks he can take you away from God and have you burning in hell with him. Take heart…
Revelation 3:5 (NKJV) “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.”
John 10:28 (AMP) “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never lose it or perish throughout the ages-to all eternity they shall never by any means be destroyed. And no one is able to snatch (them) out of the Father’s hand.”
Romans 8:38-39 (AMP) “For I am persuaded beyond doubt…nor anything in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Ephesians 1:13-14 (NKJV) “…you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”
FEAR
Fear is a powerful and unpleasant emotion. It is a response to recognized threats or dangers-real or imagined. It, like stress and anxiety, involves both physical and mental reactions. The evil one loves fear because he “thinks” it gives him power. When, in actuality, God is the One with all the power. Plainly speaking, the only One we really have to fear is God. Don’t get freaked out! Yes, we should fear God; but it should be in a reverent, awe inspired way. We should have extreme respect and profound love for Him. He would never out and out hurt or damage us-He may let us squirm in our mistakes a little. Unless, of course, you are not saved. Then you SHOULD fear Him and His wrath in the end times at Judgment.
The Bible talks about fear being derived from doubt, worry and anxiety. Fear is harmful to your faith and well-being. The devil likes fear because you are so focused on it that he can easily slip in. He will try to make you feel more fear if he thinks it’s necessary, but often it’s not. So he starts in with his routine of planting seeds of doubt. You are already so overwhelmed by your fear that God is not in the forefront of your mind. “Why is God letting you feel this way?” “If He really loved you, wouldn’t He take away those feelings?” Sound about right? The Bible says that fear is not meant to control your life.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” This verse plainly states that fear does not come from God.
Proverbs 29:25 (NKJV) “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.” This verse highlights that fearing others’ opinions traps us. It prevents us from fully trusting God.
Matthew 8:26 (NKJV) Jesus and the disciples were in a boat at sea when a storm arose. The disciples were afraid. “But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful, O you of little faith?”….” This verse directly links fear with lack of faith or trust in Jesus’ presence and power.
Mark 5:36 (NKJV) “…He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.”” This verse speaks of how fear can keep you from believing and experiencing God’s miracles.
You get the idea. Can you see how fear can open doors for Satan to fill your head with doubt? The Bible also say that believers are provided the means to overcome fear with the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:15 (AMP) “For (the Spirit which) you now have received (is not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear,) but you have received the Spirit of adoption-the Spirit producing sonship-in (the bliss of) which we cry Abba! (That is,)Father!” This verse states that through the Holy Spirit, we are adopted into God’s family. The familial relationship with God is meant to replace fear. A relationship filled with love and trust in the Father.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Here, peace and self-control are mentioned as fruits of the Spirit (the works the Spirit does in you). These two would negate the spirit of fear that we feel as they are opposite of it.
Many believers, throughout the Bible, had reason to fear. But God was and still is faithful. After Jesus’ death, the disciples had a great deal to fear. The men who masterminded the plot to kill Jesus relentlessly pursued His followers. How could God expect them not to be afraid? Because Jesus told them so in Hebrews 13:5 (AMP). God, Himself, said “…I will never (under any circumstances) desert you (nor give you up, nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless), nor will I forsake or let you down or relax my hold on you….” That promise goes for us as well. The most pursuant enemies of the disciples couldn’t hold a candle to our God. No enemy we have, even if it is ourselves, can either. Because of the disciples faith they were able to respond, “So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper, I will not fear. What can a man do to me?”(Hebrews 13:6)(NKJV). Hopefully we can say that because that’s how we are supposed to feel about God and Christ. If you are feeling overloaded and fearful, switch your focus from the problem to the solution. You can overcome those feelings by focusing on God’s promises and His love and faithfulness. In all your fears and struggles, Jesus is standing right beside you. He will never abandon you and nothing is impossible for Him-(Mark 10:27)(NKJV).
DESPAIR
Despair is the total and utter loss or absence of hope. It is an incredibly powerful emotion that is often brought about in response to challenges in life. Challenges like loss, relationship problems, health issues, or traumatic experiences. Despair can make you feel emotionally exhausted-like just giving up. You could passively accept your situation, not having the will or energy to fight anymore. That is when Satan has you where he wants you. When you lose the will to even fight anymore, you just take whatever comes your way. You simply endure what requires no effort on your part. That’s exactly what the devil will give. Words of despair and doubt that he knows you don’t have the will to counter. It does take some fight to withstand the lies he tells you. Do you see how dangerous despair can be? You CANNOT let despair take the life out of you or the devil wins. God will give you the strength to fight and you ALWAYS have the Holy Spirit in your corner. He will give you that little burst of energy to just say “NO! I believe!”
Many biblical figures experienced despair. As I mentioned previously-Elijah. A queen wanted to kill him so he fled to the wilderness. He prayed to God for death (1 Kings 19)(NKJV ).
In the Psalms, David frequently wrote about the deep sorrow and despair that he felt (Psalm 42 & 43; 55; 142; 143) (NKJV ) (to name a few).
Job suffered immensely. He lost his family, wealth, property, livestock, and his health when his body was covered in very painful open sores. He questioned his existence and longed for death, but never denounced God. (Job in it’s entirety but especially Job 3:1-26) (NKJV).
Paul, in 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 wrote that he had suffered through: 5 lashings, 3 beatings and a stoning. He endured 3 shipwrecks, multiple imprisonments, severe hunger and thirst, “and more”. On top of all that, the churches he’d started and loved deeply were under attack from false teachers. These people slandered his name and questioned his qualifications as an apostle. That was a huge blow to Paul. But he knew where he stood in and with and what he had gone through with Christ. For people to question his commission and ability hit him where it hurt the most.
There are many others in the Bible who experienced despair. I’m sure there were instances of similarity to us. I am positive there were losses of relationships and lives that hurt people deeply. The above examples showed the presence of health issues and traumatic experiences. They might not be the same as now days, but trauma is trauma none the less. The one thing all those men had was a mutually shared faith in God. They never wavered in their faith, no matter how bad things got. Paul said, “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed, we are perplexed but not in despair, persecuted, but not forsaken, struck down, but not destroyed” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9)(NKJV). How awesome is that that we can say it as well. That God, that protected and provided for Elijah, David, Job, and Paul. He is the same God who will protect and provide for you. He was, is and always will be the same. God does not change.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)-“For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a a future and a hope.” This verse offers comfort. It reminds us that God has a specific plan for our welfare. It also assures us of His promise of a hopeful future.
Psalm 34:18 (NKJV) comforts us by reminding us that “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite (showing sincere remorse)spirit.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NKJV) inspires us to not lose heart. It says, “…For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory…. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” This passage is a source of reassurance and hope for believers experiencing hardships. Basically, the troubles of life are temporary and minor compared to the rewards and glory that await us in eternity.
I know when you are suffering it feels like that’s all there is. You feel that it will never end. But if you can remember all you have waiting for you in eternity, you can conquer any despair. Remember the old cliche, ‘Keep your eye on the prize’. Think of how much more you will appreciate a life in glory after the troubles you’ve had on earth. We are to focus on the unseen:God’s kingdom and promises; not on the seen:material things and temporary hardships.
FATIGUE
Fatigue is described as being severely tired or extremely exhausted. Rest or sleep does not fully relieve the feeling. Fatigue can be a response to boredom, emotional stress, lack of sleep, physical activity, etc.. This is in contrast to tiredness, which can be resolved with a nap or a good nights sleep. Fatigue goes deeper than just being tired. It can be debilitating and is more persistent and ongoing. This kind of exhaustion seems to never end. Fatigue affects both the mind and body, which leaves you with an intense lack of motivation and energy. It can interferes with your day to day life. There are many types of fatigue and one can cause or affect the other.
Physical-This is when you are so physically drained that you can no longer use your muscles the way you want or need.
Mental-You have trouble focusing and concentrating on things. Your responsibilities are not efficiently carried out. This happens because your attention is reduced. You show minimal concern for what’s going on around you.
Emotional-Exhaustion of this type results from prolonged periods of sadness, anger, frustration, or depression.
Social-This feeling of exhaustion comes from being stressed, overwhelmed and plain wiped out after prolonged social contact.
Chronic-Feelings of fatigue that last for a longer period of time (6 months plus) fall in this category. Chronic fatigue can be associated with any of the above types of exhaustion.
The devil enjoys it when we are fatigued. Our minds are tired and not firing on all cylinders. This is when the whispering begins. He starts by telling you things pertaining to where you and your head are at the time. “You aren’t good enough to:”(fill in the blank). He will tell you anything to get you doubting yourself. “You can’t run as fast as” so and so. “You aren’t good enough for them.” “They’re only friendly to you to be nice.” Once he sees a sliver of doubt creep in he starts in on God. “Why doesn’t God make you:run faster or be more likable?” “If God really loved you He would….” Satan will say anything. He will do anything to get you doubting God. He wants you to doubt His love for you. He wants you to doubt the promises in the Word. As fatigue sets in, you must stay strong in your faith and the Word.
This is where the gift of discernment comes in. You need to know God’s voice and the things He says. As I mentioned earlier, God speaks to you in the quiet, stillness of your mind. Well the devil is there too. God would never take advantage of fatigue, try to make you doubt, or think negative thoughts about yourself. God builds up and encourages. Romans 8:28 (KJV) says “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God….” Once you have discerned, picked God’s voice out above the rest, you can listen. God gives “power to the weak” and strengthens those who have no might. He “will renew the strength of those who wait on Him.” “They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:29-31)(NKJV).
Are you fatigued? Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV) says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your soul….” You can find rest for your soul through a relationship with God. You will find rest in the presence of God. (Exodus 33:14)(NKJV) states, “And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” There are multiple verses in the Bible that talk about God giving different types of rest-spiritual, emotional, and physical. Trust in God when you are fatigued because He will give you rest.
What do all of these tactics by Satan have in common? They all occur when we are in a weakened state. When our body is weak there is good chance our mind is weak as well and visa versa. Personally, I know that when I don’t feel well, my mind is not at 100%. If I am in a great deal of pain, it becomes worse. I forget things and just don’t want to deal with it because all I can focus on is the physical. That weakened mind, no matter how slight, is all Satan needs. He slides into your head and plants thoughts to increase whatever anxiety, stress, fear, or fatigue you are feeling. Once you are fully invested in the negative feelings, he begins to plant seeds of doubt about God.
The second thing they all have in common are the lies and doubt caused by th devil. In the end, ultimately, the lies and seeds of doubt planted by Satan are the same. He tries to disprove God’s incredible love and concern for you. He also tries to get you to doubt the promises made to us by God in the Bible. It may be different verbiage, depending on your situation, but his purpose is all the same.
Third, the feelings and doubts you feel show a lack of trust in God. They are also disobedience to the Word. The Bible tells us to not be anxious, fear or despair. Many times, instead of asking for deliverance from them, we wallow in them. We continue to feel the disobedient way we feel, opening up doors for the evil one. I repeat, he has been doing his job for thousands of years. No matter how strong our faith, we are no match for him alone. We must draw our strength from God and the Word. Again, Satan is the father of lies. He is not capable of telling the truth. In John 8:44 Jesus says “…the devil…does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him….” Given his reputation and track record, why would we so easily believe the things he tells us? I’m not trying to be harsh, but we need to stop whining in our self-pity. God extends his grace to forgive us of these sinful feelings. Accept His grace, tell Him you are sorry, and ask Him for the help He’s waiting to give you.
OUR PROTECTION-THE TRUTH OF THE WORD
When spiritual battles arise, Scripture is our only course of action. Scripture is the actual God-breathed Word of God. His “spoken” Word. It contains knowledge of God. Scripture tells us that God, an eternal, infinite, and supreme being, is Ruler, Sustainer, and Creator of all things. He is the one true God; unconnected to any false deities or idols. The Bible shows us that God is a personal being, who has emotions, a will and understanding. How awesome is it that we, as humans, can have a relationship with Him. Having a relationship with God is a deep spiritual truth. It has immense implications that touch every part of your life.
Scripture also shows us the mind of Christ. The mind of Christ represents the conversion of our motives, actions, and thoughts. These changes align with the nature of Jesus and His purpose. This is a continual process of growth done through the Holy Spirit’s power. To know the mind of Christ you have to embrace your identity in Him. This is a journey of significant change. You are no longer defined by your past failures and sins and things of the world.
WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST
- Child of God and Heir-You are no longer a stranger to God. You are a beloved child, who, through faith has been adopted into His family. This means you are an heir, sharing in the inheritance and blessings that belong to Christ. Romans 8:17 (NKJV)
- New Creation-The old one who was defined by sin is no more and you are a brand new creation. You have been spiritually reborn-transformed and given a new nature. The Holy Spirit now empowers you. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
- Redeemed and Justified-God now sees you as righteous because of Christ. Due to Christ, you are completely forgiven. Romans 3:24-26 (NKJV)
- Loved and Accepted– This is a deep love. Unlike any love you have ever experienced or will experience. It is the essence of God-His totality. 1 John 4:8 (NKJV). If you have accepted Christ you are accepted by God-no strings attached. He welcomes you. Acts 10:34-35
- Masterpiece with a purpose-You are God’s handiwork who were “knit together” in your mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13 (NKJV). He made you piece by piece to fulfill a purpose (“for good works prepared beforehand”). Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV). He was thinking of you before you were born.
- Victorious-You share the victory over sin, death and the enemy with Christ. According to Romans 8:37 (NKJV) you are accepted and ”more than conquerors.” You are free from the power of sin, it is no longer your master (Romans 6:14)(NKJV).
- Temple of the Holy Spirit-Your body is His temple. In you-where God sent the Holy Spirit to live. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV).
Once you know and believe who God is and who you are in Christ, you can resist the enemies attacks. You will find the truth of these things in Scripture. It’s all right there in black and white (and sometimes red). It is as true today as it was the day it was written. Read it, meditate on it, take it into your heart and believe it. The victory has been won. He will not leave you abandoned or defenseless. Peter stated in 2 Peter 2:9 (NKJV), “The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation….” In John 14:6 (NKJV) Jesus said I am the way, the truth and the life….” Once you know the Truth (Jesus) you can overcome deceptions from the devil. Challenges like fatigue, anxiety, and stress will still come against you. Temptation, fear, and despair will also threaten you. However, if you stand firm, you will not succumb to them.
David Jeremiah, “Faith Alive Living Proactive, Productive and Proactive Faith”, Faith Alive in 2025 Living Ready, Willing, and Able!, January 2025.
Joshua Doering, “Kerry Carpenter Helping Fuel Tigers’ Playoff Push, Aims to be Ambassador for Christ”, Sports Spectrum,Sept. 18, 2024
John Burke, Soul Revolution (Grand Rapids, MI:Zondervan, 2008),14
Lois Hoadley Dick, Isobel Kuhn (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1987), 48.