Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
1Peter 5:8-10
Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
Satan is working overtime to deceive and to distract us, to get our attention and focus away from what really matters. He knows his time is short and he wants to keep as many Christians as possible from being ready for the rapture. He’s doing this in numerous ways.
• In the church
There is more deception in the church now than at any other time in history, and it’s getting worse. Many lies with false and twisted doctrines are being taught, and people aren’t being prepared for the rapture.
• Through friends and family…..
especially Christians, who mislead us and try to pressurise us into doing and following what they are.
• By isolating us
Leaving church and toxic relationships can leave us feeling alone and without purpose.
• By causing us to have questions and doubts.
• Through the trials, hardships and cares of this world.
• Through media, TV and technology.
The lies that have been fed to us for so long through media are increasing.
The internet and YouTube can draw us in and away from prayer and worship. We can be drawn into deception through people who are very convincing.
• Through the airways and in the spiritual realms.
Wi-fi, 4G and 5G is everywhere, increasing our exposure to radio frequency electro-magnetic fields, which I’m convinced are being used by Satan, through his world leaders, as a means of end-time programming, and to produce anxiety, depression and sickness.
What is the answer?
How do we cope and what do we do in the midst of such pollution, distraction and temptation? This is an ungoing struggle for me, and I’m still looking for answers.
Awareness, Trust, Repentance, Prayer
Awareness of what’s happening gives us ammunition against satan’s plans.
We need to put our trust, ever increasingly, in God, for it’s only in him that we will win this battle and run the race to completion.
We need to be willing to repent of all distractions and idols.
Get out of the church.
I have said it before: we need to get out of the church, for the deception will swallow us if we don’t.
It has been pointed out to me that if we continue to fellowship where there are wrong doctrines, then we will partake of their sin. Even if we consciously don’t agree with what’s been spoken, the words are going into our spirits and affecting us.
Come out of her, my people,
Rev 18:4-5
lest you take part in her sins,
lest you share in her plagues;
for her sins are heaped high as heaven,
and God has remembered her iniquities.
Sadly, fellowship with friends who are partaking of wrong doctrines can lead to confusion and doubt. I’m now finding that I feel really “heavy” after being with such people, and am quietly moving away from these relationships.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.
Eph 5:6-8
If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.
2 John 1:10-11
We need people, as becoming isolated is a real danger, but we do need to guard ourselves against toxic relationships, and against people who try to push their ideas on us. We need to trust God in this, asking him to lead us.
You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
Gal 5:7-9
Isolation.
These days I’m becoming increasingly isolated. I enjoy being at home, but this can lead to depression and feeling a lack of purpose. Often, a simple trip to the shops can break this cycle.
We need to pray for friends that are safe to be around, friends that are supportive, and friends we can pray with.
Questions and doubts.
When we find ourselves questioning and doubting ourselves, feeling there is no purpose, and wondering what we’re doing with our lives, we need to draw close to Jesus and talk to him about these things.
When John was in prison, he appeared to be having serious doubts about his mission and wether Jesus was truly the promised Messiah.
Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”
Matt 11:2-6
And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.
And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
I personally find that, when I draw close to Jesus during these times, he will show me some things that I have accomplished and people that I have helped, and he will renew a sense of purpose within me. It isn’t easy, and I often find it difficult to pray, but persevering in the best way we are able to will lead to a breakthrough.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jer 29:11
I have read about people who have been persecuted and thrown into prison, yet are able to rejoice and draw close to God in their ordeals, even leading others to salvation.
This is a perfect example:
And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely.
Acts 16:23-32
Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,
and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.
When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.
But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.”
And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas.
Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
Trials, hardships and cares of the world.
In the midst of trials and hardships, it can be difficult to pray, and as I mentioned above, it’s important to persevere, doing the best we can. During these times we need God more than ever. He loves us he knows our pain, confusion, depression and inability to focus.
I’m going through this myself right now, and writing this blog is helpful: it’s bringing my thoughts towards God and is causing me to search the scriptures.
God sees and hears our “wordless” prayers, utterences, and tears. We need to cry out to the Lord, repent of our inability to pray, admit our weaknesses and be “real” before him.
O Lord, God of my salvation,
Psalm 88: 1-2
I cry out day and night before you.
Let my prayer come before you;
incline your ear to my cry!
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:15-16
The Holy Spirit in us is interceding for us.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Rom 8: 26-27
Jesus, in heaven, is also interceding for us.
Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
Rom 8:24
God is with us in everything. He knows us, and he loves us!
Media, TV and technology.
Although very useful and helpful, satan is using these platforms to spread his lies, and to brainwash people, preparing the world for his rule. This means we need to be very specific in our use of it, choosing carefully what we do/watch/listen to. More than anything, we need to be guided by God.
I get very distracted with the Internet, and hours can pass by reading articles and watching YouTube. So often, when I sit down to pray, I reach for my iPad instead.
Technology addiction is a real disease, and can have physical, intellectual and emotional consequences.
Repentance and prayer are vital, and God will help us with our addictions. With his help and intervention, I’ve stopped using certain apps that were consuming me.
This is an interesting and informative article.
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Eph 5:15-17
Danger in the air and in the spiritual realms.
As for the danger lurking in and through Wi-fi, 4G and 5G, with the radio frequency electro-magnetic fields being produced, I’ve heard of people seeking protection with EMF shields, but personally, I believe that God can and will protect us.
For every danger in life, we need the armour of God, and the covering of the blood of Jesus. We can ask for his angels to guard us, and for a spiritual hedge of protection.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
Eph 6:11-18
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints…..
This life is preparing us for Heaven!
Through all these temptations, difficulties, distractions, hardships and trials, let’s remember that Jesus suffered as we do.
Our purpose is to worship the Lord our God, in everything, and to share his love with others.
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 22:37-40
Let us keep running the race, through prayer, repentance, worship, and studying scripture, asking for what we need, and remembering that God already knows our needs.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2
The Narrow Way 