An Attack or a Test?

[Andry]

How do we tell the difference between an attack of the devil and God testing us?

I think there’s a lot of confusion around this issue. Some believe that they’re being chased by the devil, all the time it seems. Others believe that it’s actually a test from God. While others believe that the devil has been defeated and can no longer harm Christians today. Others still believe that the devil still has the power to deceive.

My own thoughts are God dealt with the whole issue of the devil on the cross, and that was the end of that. He didn’t then rush around saying now what can I do to keep the devil away from the saints; it says He sat down at the right hand of the Father expecting His enemies to become His footstool. God has no problem with the devil and neither should we. I believe there are far too many people in the body of Christ who are far too often more afraid of what the devil can do against us, than what God has, and is, and will do for us. The Bible says give no foothold to the devil. And the dominion rests in the hands of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, and so we do not need to concern ourselves with the devil. Who cares about the devil; God doesn’t. My business in the Kingdom of God is not devil-bashing, it’s kingdom-building. So we’ve got to get a God-centred theology not a devil-centred theology.

And if the devil does attack? Well, Luke 10:19 says, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

But what if God is testing? So what’s the difference between an attack and a test?

 

[Etharia]

I don't have a lot of knowledge on this subject, so it's something I'm also trying to learn about.

The only thing I can say to help you it that I've been told a test is when God allows the devil (sort of gives him permission) to do something, and an attack is when the devil just does it.

 

[BlackMoon]

I figure that everything is a test including resisting the devil which is the ultimate test.

 

[Trish1947]

Satan is one of Gods more subtle creations, he knows how to blind you to truth, he knows how to steal or distract you from the things of God and His word. He is the killer, and distroyer from the very beginning. He is in the faith killing business. As I understand by scripture, Satan accuses us day and night before God. He also asked God for permission to sift an Apostle and Jesus allowed it, but said He had prayed for him, that his faith fail not. Thank God Jesus prayed for us! Anything in your life that is not producing faith but producing willingness to settle for something other than what the word says, wheather by permission from God or not, we're to stand firm and resist the devil, with what we know to be the truth. We walk by faith, not by sight.

 

[Godz Marine]

So we’ve got to get a God-centred theology not a devil-centred theology.

AMEN!! (hankie waving!) For too long, too much of the church has given the devil the lordship that they should as believers give to Christ. Out of the mouth flow the issues of the heart and many Christians can tell you more about the devil and what he can and does do to them than they can tell you what God can and does for them. This is sad.

As for the topic heading, not everything is an attack nor a test. Many times it is simply the fallen world in which we live. It is the curse being the curse.

 

[Svt4Him]

I think test is neutral. It's not positive nor negative. When we go through a test, and exercise character, God is exalted, when we fail, it becomes a temptation.

 

[Andry]

AMEN!! (hankie waving!) For too long, too much of the church has given the devil the lordship that they should as believers give to Christ. Out of the mouth flow the issues of the heart and many Christians can tell you more about the devil and what he can and does do to them than they can tell you what God can and does for them. This is sad.

As for the topic heading, not everything is an attack nor a test. Many times it is simply the fallen world in which we live. It is the curse being the curse.

Double AMEN! Found another one! There are too many believers who have found Christ for salvation but it seems the dominion still rests in the hand of satan. So Amen brother that you understand that we need a different mindset of what Christ accomplished on the cross.

As far as attack or a test is concerned, I'm with you too that in life, because of this fallen world, oftentimes 'things happen'. It is our response to the things in life that makes the difference.

My rule of thumb is - from a sermon years ago - is as follows:

1) In a test, you have a choice;
2) In an attack, you don't have a choice.

But how we respond in either case determines whether we give God the glory, or the enemy the glory. That's just a rule of thumb. Your thoughts?

 

[Andry]

The only thing I can say to help you it that I've been told a test is when God allows the devil (sort of gives him permission) to do something, and an attack is when the devil just does it.

Etharia,

I thought Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. Why would the devil help us in accomplishing that? Just a thought to chew on.

 

[mle]

I have been wondering about this recently too. We have had many things happen in the last two weeks. Our car broke and had to be taken off the road. Our microwave broke. Our vacuum broke. My whole family got sick. My (unsaved)Dad asked me to testify in court against my Mom. I declined and now he's not talking to me. My husband got turned down for much needed pay raise.

So you can see that there have been many troubles for my family the past two weeks BUT I have felt the presence of the Lord. In our home group last week the Holy Spirit was poured out in a tangible way. I had a word form the Lord and the result happened right away. Praise God!!!!

When things go wrong I often ask myself have I stepped out of His protection? Am I in sin? Am I neglecting something?

I am not complaining for the troubles. I am going to continue to trust, rejoice and follow Him. In all things I will praise Him.

Jesus defeated the enemy at the cross but Satan still has access to the world(the earth) that we live in. He goes to and fro seeking who he can devour as a roaring lion. We, as Adam,gave Satan that access but only for a time. The King is coming and will take His rightful place in glory ruling over the earth. We must press on until the wonderful day.

In prayer we must ask God to deliver us from evil as Jesus spoke in the Lord's prayer. Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.

Test or attack our response should be the same. Praise the Lord, love the Lord with all our heart, love our neighbors, pray without ceasing and trust in Him for the answer, the salvation and the way out.

God bless all of you!

 

[Trish1947]

It seems that new Christians are more subject to the devils attacks, to discourage. But the more you Praise the Lord, the more you grow in his word, the more you resist, the more you trust. I think he grows tired, because he sees that your not moved by what you see. He is an advisary..he looks for the easy to devour, not the strong. I remember right after I got saved it seemed like it was one thing after another, until I grew closer to the Lord, submitted everything to him even the bad circumstances happening. Praising Him no matter what the circumstance. Giving the devil no oportunity to gain any footholds to my thinking, that it was God that was displeased with me because of circumstances.

 

[riverpastor]

I want to add a simple rule of thumb...

My God! It's all a test!

I believe that the Cross that we take into our lives and the help that we need for us to effectively die to self BY GRACE is the people that are around us. I'm not sure that God uses inanimate things to test our faith (yes, excluding animals - I think they're unruly and are an attack of satan).

God directs people into our lives for the sole purpose of building character. He tests the strength of the inward character not so He can see our response, but for the purpose that it might be revealed TO US by what nature are we living...

I agree with the statement that the "curse is the curse". Stuff happens.
But, that's not to say that we should not exercise our lives in Christ...

 

[maxer]

I don't think there is a difference.

Just treat it all the same, to the best of our ability seek to honour God in whatever we do, in any and all circumstances, so it produces godly character in us. Not easy obviously but according to the Bible, worth it.

"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way." James 1:2-4 The Message

 

[mle]

I don't think there is a difference.

Just treat it all the same, to the best of our ability seek to honour God in whatever we do, in any and all circumstances, so it produces godly character in us. Not easy obviously but according to the Bible, worth it.

"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way." James 1:2-4 The Message

What a great passage of scripture in James. As I've been feeling the pressure lately, this is very inspirational and encouraging to me!