I have become aware of an enemy lurking in the shadows while on this journey. It is quick to hurl an angry accusation when things do not go according to plans—at least my idea of how the plans should go. It is never a full-on frontal assault, only subtle thoughts attempting to undermine my belief in God. This enemy is doubt.
The apostle Peter speaks about this in his second letter to the New Testament church. In fact, he issues a warning about people—he calls them scoffers—who are quick to point out the obvious, that God’s promises have not happened. The intent of their words, as well as these thoughts from this enemy, is to plant seeds of doubt into the minds of Christ-followers.
The apostle Peter addresses the matter, but before we go there, it is important to grasp how this enemy works. It begins as a thought, usually a negative one, that leads to a feeling of disappointment. It leaves a tiny question mark on your heart. Another, then another, and another follow this question mark until disappointment floods your emotions. This disappointment leads to unbelief that leads to abandonment.
This is the strategy of the enemy, to abandon God and his promises for the Christ-follower. This is why every one of these thoughts must be addressed before they find a place to stay in your heart.
The apostle Peter’s solution against this enemy is threefold. First, the Christ-follower is to recognize that this enemy is willfully ignorant of the fact that God spoke the world and everything in it, into existence. God opened his mouth uttering words that created something that before did not exist. For the Christ-follower, that is YOUR God. (how awesome is that?) Secondly, God does not lie. This means that if he uttered a promise, then the promise will happen; but only on his timetable. Since humanity generally thinks linearly, we are hung-up on time. It is important to be reminded that God does not have such hang-ups, so practice patience, please.
Finally, God has a plan—an incredibly awesome plan. It is God’s idea that everyone created by him spends eternity with him. The truth of the matter is that God created humanity with the ability to choose, and he does not violate that choice. Since his plan for the Christ-follower is eternal, the fulfillment of that plan will come together prior to stepping into eternity. This means that the whispers of the enemy are designed to throw the Christ-follower off course, causing him or her to lose heart, thus walking away from his plan. It means that knowing God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, (a close personal relationship) must be at the center of the Christ-follower’s focus to combat this strategy of the enemy.
You really cannot lose for winning, go under for going over, or be defeated for being victorious.