One of the devil’s favorite strategies is to tell us that our Heavenly Father doesn’t love us and that we are a disappointment to him. We know, theologically, that God loves us, but we don't really believe it deep down sometimes. We think he's disappointed. We think he's frowning. We look at heaven and think we live under his disappointment. When the enemy can get you to believe that that your Father doesn't love you, you'll go down so many broken roads and try so many things to just find some relief.
At the end of the day, the best defense is a good offense. The best defense against your temptations is a good offense where you know your Father loves you and he cares for you. We want to enjoy the love of our Father because James says out of God’s will and desire, he brought you to life and he loves you. And when you understand that, the pleasure of your Father will help you fight the pressure of the desert, just like Jesus experienced when tempted by the devil in the wilderness.
When we put our faith in Christ, we choose to run in a different direction from our temptations and chase after Jesus. In comparison to what you find in your relationship with Christ, you begin to realize how satisfying it can be to lose those earthly joys that you once took so much delight in. And the greatest defense against the chaos of the world is to run into the kingdom purchased for you by Jesus Christ to knit you together with your Father, God, forever and ever.
DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTION: Recall a time in your life when you struggled to believe that God still loved you after what you had done. What are some ways that you can remind yourself that God’s love is never dependent on your actions or circumstances?
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Erika Sullivan