IS JESUS OR SATAN BLOCKING YOUR PATH?
We often face opposition and roadblocks when seeking to live for Jesus. Sometimes they are from God and other times from Satan. Paul faced this as well. He says he was “prevented by the Spirit of Jesus” from entering Asia in Acts 16:6-8. He also wrote to the Thessalonians saying he was “hindered by Satan” from going to them (1 Thessalonians 2:18). Which was it? Could it have been both? How can we tell if we are being hindered by Jesus or by Satan? Do we really need to know?
To understand which it is, we must remember that God is in sovereign control of everything in our life, even what Satan is trying to do. No matter what, God is the final authority, like when Satan wanted to attack Job. Even when Satan acts, God is in ultimate control: “God works all things according to the counsel of His will” (Ephesians 1:11).
God has many different ways of making sure something does or doesn’t happen. All is in His sovereign hands and ultimately brings His will to pass. Even when He ‘permits’ Satan to act, like with Job, it is always part of His plan and design and accomplishes His purpose. Satan cannot hinder or change God’s plan. Neither can we when we submit to His will. God gives us a free will and if we choose to use it to disobey and sin the consequences are our own doing. But when we confess and repent God then uses even those consequences for His glory and our ultimate good (Romans 8:28).
We see this clearly in the case of Judas. John 13:2 says, “Satan put it into the heart of Judas … to betray Him.” Luke 22:3–4 says, “Satan entered into Judas.” However, John 17:12 says that Judas was not kept back from the betrayal by Jesus, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. God was ultimately bringing about the betrayal of Jesus so as to fulfill His prophesized crucifixion. Judas is still 100% accountable and when He stands before God for judgment will readily admit it was his own free will choice and that God is just and fair in condemning him. Sovereignty and free will are both true, like parallel railroad tracks that never intersect but continue on side by side. However, that is not our subject here. I have written other blogs about that. “Satan meant it for evil. God meant it for good — indeed, for our salvation,” according to Genesis 50:20.
“In every temptation we face and every trial that we endure, both Satan and God are active, and they have opposite designs,” John Piper says. “God is always proving your faith and your obedience. Satan is always seeking to destroy your faith and undermine your obedience.” James 1:13-14 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
So, when we sense demons hindering us from doing what we feel God wants us to do we are to use our spiritual warfare tools such as Scripture, prayer, praise, rebuking, persevering, etc. to gain victory (see the armor of God in Ephesians 6). But we know God is allowing it for a reason – to increase our faith, develop stronger warfare skills, enable others to see God’s power through us, etc. All our trials and tribulations are ‘Father-filtered.” He only allows what is for His glory and our good. Satan may be trying to defeat and discourage us, to cause us to doubt God’s love and provision and therefore to get us to sin. But God wants to use the same circumstances for us to grow in our faith.
God baffles Satan by making him the instrument of the very thing he hates — namely, trust in God and holiness in life. Even when the suffering comes from demonic oppression, if we are yielded to God and following Him then He will only allow it if He wants to use it to accomplish something good in our life or in those who are watching us. Trust God through it.
OK? OK! Now, how are we to know when to push ahead because Satan is trying to stop us or to yield because God is closing the door? We don’t want to quit when God wants us to keep pushing, but neither do we want to push when God says no. The key comes in knowing and recognizing God’s voice as He speaks guidance and direction to us (see my blogs on Listening to God or write me and ask for them). What is God telling you to do? Remember, God is sovereign and Satan is the author of confusion. God doesn’t bring confusion, just Satan. Apply Biblical truth and principles to guide your decision-making process. Saturate it with prayer. Spend more time listening to God than talking to Him. Listen to the counsel of godly people who ae clearly walking with Jesus. When you do this, God will lead and direct. You may only be 51% sure and 49% unsure, but still go with what you believe God is saying. He is sovereign and wants us to do the right thing even more than we do. When we yield and submit to Him, He guarantees us that His purpose will be ultimately done. Remember, “we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Think of times in the past when God worked through confusion and uncertainty. What was His ultimate purpose in it all?
How do YOU know God’s leading in your life? How does He speak to you?
Thank Him for His sovereignty over you and all things in your life.
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India, Africa & Spanish Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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