Stress, Satan and Faith: Part I

Stress and Evil Forces
A vital teaching commentary by Ruth Greene
Luke 4:3 – Exodus 16:2 – Psalm 62:3-6 – Matthew 18:17-22 – James 2:8-26

Satan often attacks you at key moments of stress from failing to trust in God. Satan may tempt you as you begin to doubt and falter in unbelief. Even the most “devout” Christian that comes under continual attack and stress may begin to question the significance of Christ’s true identity if he doesn’t keep himself filled with the Word of God. A disciple in a time of weakness may begin to question God’s provision altogether as appreciation for God and His sacrifice is diminished and the heat of trial increases. In these tough times, disciples are prone to listen to worldly satanic influence. These times can be especially troublesome in the face of temptation. Prayer always works. As you search for answers and strength, you protect yourself in advance by meditating on the unshakable Truth of God’s Word. Even in moments of weakness, God’s Truth is available and God is available to you at anyplace or anytime through the divine power of prayer.

As a disciple, you may discover that you are tempted not by your weaknesses, but through your strengths. The devil tempted Jesus when he was hungry and had been fasting in the desert for forty days. Jesus had power over stones, kingdoms of the world and angels. Satan wanted Jesus to use that power without regard to His mission. When a disciple gives in to worldly influence by wrongly using strengths, the disciple becomes self-reliant and begins to trust in his own power. This is exactly what Satan wants. Self-reliance is the tool that demonic forces use most often to derail the faith of Christ-following disciples. Every strength you have is a gift from God that is designed to be used in His service. A faithful disciple must dedicate every human strength to God’s service and then act on that committed service.

Stress Creates Doubt and Unbelief

Abraham’s wife, Sarah had not bore any children. Sarah began to reason that she needed to take matters into her own hands, despite the promise of God. She had an attractive young maidservant and worldly customs of the day allowed for creativity in family procreation. Sarah began to reason that Hagar was the answer to her personal shame of barrenness. Sarah made the suggestion to Abraham and he quickly accepted the offer. At that moment, Abraham decided to act in line with human tradition of the time by showing a lack of faith in the promise that God had given to him personally. Perhaps Sarah caught Abraham in a moment of weakness or perhaps Sarah made Abraham feel that he could not refuse. Human beings often let customs and tradition fill human need. Sarah took matters into her own hands by giving Hagar to Abraham. Abraham took Hagar into his hands and proved that both husband and wife were having problems with trusting in God. Out of this lack of faith was borne a succession of human troubles, even a new nation that would rise to compete with modern-day Jews. When a disciple takes over God’s promises to fulfill by himself, those efforts are not in God’s direction. Abraham and Sarah failed the test of their willingness to allow God to work in their lives. They refused to wait on God to provide what He promised. Many times, faithful disciples must simply wait on God in order to maintain Christ-like faithfulness. To respond to temptation is to take matters into your own hands and interfere with the plans of God. Can God still use you? Perhaps. However, humans often create many problems for themselves and others in the process of doing for themselves.

Although Sarah arranged for Hagar to have a child, she later blamed Abram for the results. Striking out in frustration is always easier than admitting an error in judgment. Adam and Eve did the same thing in Genesis 3:12-13. The jealousy and strife within the family was strong enough to chase Hagar away and to split the family into two opposing nations. Anger and strife that rise from shortcomings in Christian conduct are especially dangerous.

The Power of Praise and Worship

David made a vow to praise God each day. He continually praised God through good and difficult times of his life. As he found things to praise God for, he was able to elevate himself above many daily distractions in life. Through his praise, David was able to express his feelings and reaffirm his faith. Prayer releases human tensions in times of emotional stress. Prayers releases trust to God. Trusting God to be your rock and foundation allows God to work through you, changing your entire outlook on life. Being held captive by resentment toward others is no longer necessary as a disciple is able to rest his faith in God’s strength. Faith cannot be diminished when you reside in God’s strength. Knowing that God is in control of your life allows you to wait patiently. God does rescue and provide true relief when relief would come no other way. When a problem is resolved by man, more problems are on the way! True relief comes from an enduring hope and faith in God’s salvation. God resolves the trials of His people.

God Provides the Power

Binding and loosing or using God’s power refers to the decisions of God’s earthly body in conflicts among believers. God did not design a human court of appeals beyond the realm of His people. Decision within the body of Christ must be God-guided and based on discernment of His Word. Believers have the responsibility to bring their issues to the body of Christ to be girded and encouraged. The body of Christ has the responsibility to use divine guidance in seeking to resolve conflicts and problems. Using God’s Way has an impact now and for eternity. The earthly ministry of Jesus looked ahead to a new time when the Holy Spirit would rest upon the body of faithful disciples as counselor and divine strength. Sincere agreement of two people on Biblically-held principles is more powerful than the superficial agreement of thousands because God’s Holy Spirit supports the prayers of His people. Two or more disciples filled with the Holy Spirit will pray according to God’s Will and receive through God’s Will. It is not through the will of God’s servants, but God’s Will that the requests of believers are granted.

Love is Faith and Deeds

Our Great King Jesus Christ told His disciples to love each other as He loved them. (John 15:12) This law sprang from Leviticus 19:18 as the basis for all law. The law of love reinforces how God’s people are to relate to one another. (Matthew 22:37-48) The apostle Paul also provided emphasis in Romans 13:8 and Galatians 5:14. The goal of Christian disciples is to treat all people as they would want to be treated. Disciples cannot ignore others or God’s love is withheld. However, disciples cannot favor other people for what those people can do in return. Does a Christian dare say: “I can’t keep every demand of God, why should I try?” The book of James reminds the faithful that every man and woman is a lawbreaker since a human cannot follow the law perfectly. You can’t keep one part and throw away another part. Every human being needs Christ to cover their sins and must learn to measure by God’s standards alone. God’s standards also require that disciples must learn to ask for forgiveness and be willing to forgive. Through forgiveness, you are able to renew your faith. You are saved by God’s free gift of grace through faith. You are also required to obey Christ. The apostle Paul reminded the faithful that all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:10) Divine grace does not cancel out the necessity of obedience. The law is no longer an external set of rules. Instead, God’s Word is written on hearts, on what the Bible refers to as the seat of motivation. God’s Word creates a joyful heart. Christians have joy by willingly carrying out the power of His Holy Spirit. The Spirit works in and through each believer, purifying the influence of flesh and the carnal mind.

God has the power to forgive. You can’t earn forgiveness by forgiving others. Forgiveness is still required. The failure to forgive shows that a disciple does not understand God’s mercy or appreciate it. (Matthew 6:14, 15; 18:21; Ephesians 4:31-32)

“But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?” – Romans 2:18-20

True faith always results in deeds, but the deeds do not justify or bring salvation. Faith brings salvation. Active obedience demonstrates that your faith is genuine. Faith changes lives. Rahab the prostitute became a woman of faith and righteous for what she did by giving lodging to Israelite spies and protecting them.

please read part II to complete this message