Is it God or the Devil? Steve and his guest, J.D. King, continue their exploration from the last episode—differentiating between God’s discipline and the devil’s demons. We must know the difference, or we can make mistakes. So, how do we know when it is God and when it is not?
This is a good fight of faith. Just because God is on the scene doesn’t mean it will be easy. Sometimes great things, like fighting the good fight, require a lot of effort and passion. If it is God’s will, then just do it.
God’s Discipline
God disciplines those He loves. How does He discipline? It’s not punishment. His favorite way to discipline is through His Word. Like wisdom, revelation, redirect, guidance, etc.
A lot of times God disciplines through His distance. After David had sinned, he said to God, “Do not cast me away from your presence” (Psalm 51:11). Those that want God will notice the difference in their lives—emptiness and decreased favor and goodness in life—and recognize they don’t want to live that way any longer. However, some don’t take the chance to change and come back to God, because they don’t care and are wicked.
The devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). God gives beauty, life, and purpose. Even though it may be challenging, God is always building you up. The devil, however, destroys relationships and unity in the church.
The Truth About Pride
Pride is a destroyer. It seeps into pastors, leaders, and church folk. Prideful people become confident that they will be and go and that God is specially calling them. The problem is that they have a sense of superiority and feel that they have a closer connection to God. Why? Because pride causes people to act in the name of God, but in ways that are not of God. It causes strife, division, and offense in the body.
We need to check ourselves. Are we building up? Or are we damaging things?
When people try to differentiate between God and the devil, they often forget about pride. They forget that the Word of God is about the Body of Christ, the group, the corporate anointing. The unity of the faith is necessary and right.
“Moses was the meekest of all men because he was satisfied with where God had placed him.”
Let’s be satisfied with where God has placed us and not let pride get in the way. The children of God must be ready to meet the challenge and fight the good fight of faith.
