Resist the Devil

A young woman named Kelsie once told me, “I feel like I’m getting body-slammed by God and now I am beaten-down and covered with bruises.” Kelsie might have been getting body-slammed, but it wasn’t God’s doing. Look at what Scripture says God is:

He is my Portion (Psalm 73:26), my Maker, my Husband (Isaiah 54:5), my Well-beloved (Song of Solomon 1:13), my Savior (2 Peter 3:18), my Hope (1 Timothy 1:1), my Brother (Mark 3:35), my Helper (Hebrews 13:6), my Physician (Jeremiah 8:22), my Healer (Luke 9:11), my Refiner (Malachi 3:3), my Purifier (Malachi 3:3), my Lord, my Master (John 13:13), my Servant (Luke 12:37), my Example (John 13:15), my Teacher (John 3:2), my Shepherd (Psalm 23:1), my Keeper (John 17:12), my Feeder (Ezekiel 34:23), my Leader (Isaiah 40:11), my Restorer (Psalm 23:3), my Resting-place (Jeremiah 50:6), my Meat (John 6:55), my Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7), my Peace (Ephesians 2:14), my Wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30), my Righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30), my Sanctification (1 Corinthians 1:30), my Redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30), and my All in All (Colossians 3:11).

Most of us don’t allow Him to be all of those things to us. In fact, many of us see Christ as the opposite of a gentle, loving, merciful Shepherd who is faithful to meet our every need.

Kelsie’s statement doesn’t seem to fit with what the Bible describes Jesus to be. Our King doesn’t show violence toward His children or leave them full of bruises. He is goodness and love personified. If we are being spiritually body-slammed, we can be assured that it is not coming from the Prince of Peace, but from the prince of darkness. All too often when the enemy attacks us with darkness and confusion, we assume that our Lord is causing or allowing it. But in reality we are attributing something to God that is completely contrary to His nature.

by: Leslie Ludy

If anyone fiercely assails you it will not be from Me (Isaiah 54:15 NASB)