Most of us in the Christian realm have heard the scripture and phrase, “the devil is out to kill, steal and destroy”. Most would agree that it’s a pretty intense verse and because of the strong words within the verse, some may not relate or feel like it pertains to them. Much like when we see storms, shootings and various other horrible things on the news. We subtly think “that would never happen to me”.

However, most have experienced some form of trauma in their lives and they would most likely agree with the idea that the devil was to blame.

But, lets consider the not so obvious attacks, because the truth is, the devil doesn’t always strike with intense, harsh blows. He isn’t always so obvious. People do not “all of the sudden” want to commit suicide, get addicted to drugs, or live a life void of passion and joy.

The Devil starts by first stealing our wonder and fascination with the Lord by persuading us away from God and all He stands for. The Devil is a deceiver who is out to distract us into false beliefs, division, and a loss of appetite for the things of God. This results in lack of passion in our faith, as well as people walking in dumbed down Christianity. He would love nothing more, but for Christians to continue going to church, but never growing spiritually and instead just going through the motions.

It’s important to remember,

“The Lord doesn’t want us to be “good”, He wants us to be spiritual.”

You see, if He can get you in a place of believing lies, such as you aren’t good enough, you will never be able to have something or do something, then you wont even try. And if you never even try, you’ll never make a difference and he wins. I’m convinced that if we as Christians would take an hour-by-hour stand against the enemy we would all be so much further by now.

“The enemy will constantly put a question mark on everything God says”

And it really is an hour-by-hour battle! He is working by the minute to get you in a place of stagnation. He works on over time to deceive & accuse us. For some he doesn’t have to work so hard. For others, He has to work on overtime, especially for Christians who determine to fully accomplish all God has in store for their lives.

For me, even now, knowing the truth, I have to continue to fill my heart and renew my mind with His truth. I consistently need to get alone with Him, read His word and hear Him speak to me. These days, I am stronger and wiser, but the enemy still tries.

Being in ministry for so many years, I have witnessed many people have these amazing experiences with the Lord. They are set free of an addiction and given profound words from the Lord. They come so alive and leave church that day on cloud nine. They are totally on fire and usually can’t wait to tell everyone about their transformation. I’m sure their intentions at the time are to stay the course and to continue growing in their faith.

But, sadly, more times then not, I don’t see them at church anymore over the course of time. They find themselves back into complacency in their walk with the Lord. This doesn’t happen because their experience wasn’t real. This happens because after their experience, they allowed the enemy to deceive them into believing lies.

“A one-time experience cant replace Intimacy with the Lord.”

We can have numerous encounters with the Lord, but we will easily fall back to old ways, or stop growing it we allow other things come before knowing Him.

“1 John 2:15-17 – 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

Once we start allowing anything else to come before seeking the Lord and being in wonder of who He is, we begin to lose our appetite for the real thing. Once, we lose our wonder in the Lord and His ways, we lose our hunger. It’s like eating junk food before dinner. Something has ruined your appetite for the real thing, and when you don’t have a hunger for the real thing, there is a problem with your spiritual health. One of the first signs of being physically sick is loss of hunger. No hunger is a sign.

“If you’re satisfied, then you’re not on fire! Because a fire is never satisfied!”

So say yes to God’s love today, and allow the wonder & beauty of who He really is to captivate your hearts more than the lies and deceit of this world!