January 27, 2025, the 27th day of 2025
Chastisement, Trials, Tribulations and Spiritual Watfare
Sometimes we may not be able to tell the difference between the discipline and chastening of the Lord,... View MoreJanuary 27, 2025, the 27th day of 2025
Chastisement, Trials, Tribulations and Spiritual Watfare
Sometimes we may not be able to tell the difference between the discipline and chastening of the Lord, the trials and tribulations that temper and refine us, and the spiritual attacks of the Devil and his minions. But it is really important that we do.
When we are doing things the Bible warns us against doing, and we do not turn from them when God warns us, He will discipline us, to make us aware that our behavior is not acceptable for a child of His.
Sometimes the warning will come as a prick of conscience. Sometines it comes in God's still, small voice. Sometimes it comes as we are reading the Bible. Sometimes it comes through the words of a preacher or someone else. However the warning comes, we need to heed it. If we do not chastening is coming, if we are a true child of God.
God looks after His children--the true followers of His beloved Son, King Jesus--and that includes leading, guiding and instructing us. But it also meas correcting us, disciplining us, and chastising us, as needed.
Like I have said multiple times and in multiple places, it is our own children that we discipline. It is a mark that they are ours and not another's. We may not like the attitude of a friend's child, but it is not our place to deal with their issues. If the parent asks for help or insight, we give it, but that is as a friend of the parent, not as the parent of the child.
If we, as professing Christians, sin and continue on in sin, unchecked, without conviction, without punishment, then we are no child of God.
When child of God sins, there will be conviction that should be instantly headed. The Holy Spirit within us will convict us and make us uncomfortable on our situation.
If conviction goes unheaded, there will be warnings and a time to turn and repent. That may be different iin all people depending on their relationship with the Father. Sometimes God gives us the conviction and the warning and He gives us time to come to our senses. But if those go unheadrd and ignored, then punishment will fall upon us. And if it does not, we should fear that we are illegitimate and not His true child.
The closer we are to God, the less time there will be between conviction, warning and punishment because God knows that we know better. It is not that we were blinded by sin's deceitfulness, it was that we got complacent and forgot the danger it poses. Pride, arrogance, stubbornness and not being vigilant have led to many a Christian's downfall.
Even though God acts out of love, it is a serious thing, and we should never take His warnings lightly or blame God for our own folly when we are tangled up in it.
"My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction; for whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights."
Proverbs 3:11-12
A good parent will keep their child in check, will not let them run wild or let their temper or emotions control them. It must be addressed before it corrupts the child's behavior and they have a child with self-control issues.
The longer the child is left in that state, the harder it will be for them to learn self-control because they are falling into a pattern of giving into their moods. God does not want that from us, so He deals with us speedily.
"If you endure discipline God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not discipline? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
Hebrews 12:7-11
The thing is to let God's discipline train us to be better, more obedient children.
No matter what befalls us, even if we are sure we did not do anything wrong, it is still important to check ourselves and ask God if we have displeased Him.
It is good to pray something like these verses.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
Psalm 139:23-24
When hard times are not because of a wrong we have done or unconfessed sin, we face trials and tribulation, not chastening. We need to work through it, trusting God for His help and direction.
"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, Whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
I Peter 1:6-9
We know that hard times will come, the Bible tells us that. We need to trust Jesus and His process, in the midst of them, and count it a thing of joy because of the work it is doing in us.
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
James 1:2-4
The more we read about what our attitude should be in hardships of any kind, the more we get the impression that we should be grateful that God cares for us enough to work on us so diligently to bring out what is lacking in us.
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit Who was given to us.
Romans 5:1-5
It seems odd to say, "glory in tribulation", because we would much rather avoid it. But what is produced through tribulation is a character that God can use for His purposes.
Though spiritual attacks will also work to strengthen our faith--if we trust God through them--they are usually meant to derail us from the purposes of God.
Spiritual attacks can take on almost amy form, physical, emotional, financial, through destruction and distractions. The more important the work God has tasked us to accomplish, the more complex the attacks may become.
Or the spiritual attack may be so subtle, that we don't see it as an attack, but merely as part of living in a fallen world. Not all sickness is a spiritual attack, but it very likely can be. Not all sudden distress in our life--or the lives of those we care about--is a spiritual attack, but it most likely is when it comes at those times we are doing that task from God that needs to be done.
The Devil will try whatever tactics work on us. While we still need to deal with whatever comes our way, we cannot let it derail us from the mission God gave us.
The best way to defeat the Devil is to carry through with what we are called upon to do, despite attacks clearly meant to distract us from that. It will take more prayers and wisdom, but we can call upon God for direction and discernment.
Most of us will only see spiritual attacks on a superficial level for most of our lives, because most of what we do is not earth shaking. It is things that having a strong conviction of where we stand with God will see us through.
We never know when what we do will impact more than we could ever anticipate. There has to be some kind of spiritual marker that lets the Devil know, because in that case, the attacks will feel relentless until the task is accomplished.
So keep at it. Do not get discouraged. God would not have given us the task if it weren't something He knew we could do, even if we feel it is beyond us. When something feels beyond our capabilities, we just need to draw more strength from Jesus to accomplish it.
And we need to look for the tooks God already gave us--or will soon give us--to begin that task. More tools may come later, to help us accomplish it, but we have to start with what we have. Before God even asks something of us, He has given us all the tools we need to begin, even if we may need prayer to reveal them to us.
Staying close to God, drawing on His strength and seeking His guidance are key to succeeding.
We also must keep in right standing with God, by being vigilant so we do not sin. But also confessing and repenting of any sin we let creep into our lives.
"Therefore submit to God. Resist the Devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to sorrow. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."
James 4:7-10
We also need to put on the armor of God. We need to understand where each spirutual attack will take place, by what is vulnerable without that corresponding piece of armor.
We can imagine the physical body parts and objects, along with what is the protective component. But it is not enough to imagine putting on the armor, we need to hold fast to their defensive attribute. And we need to pick up our Bible, the sword of the Spirit--an offensive weapon--while not forgetting our shield, which is faith.
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness 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. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
Ephesians 6:10-18
It is a lot to think about. I could write a book on each of these topics, because God has so much to say on them, and Bible study, observations and life experience has taught me a lot. But let this be a help, when hardships befall you, to sort out, where they might be coming from.
Stay strong! Let God work His perfect work in you, no matter what befalls you!
NAN
