Satan's Lies & Breaking Covenant - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) July 22, 2022

We've learned that satan uses lies as a weapon to plant seeds of insecurity which have long-reaching consequences. Today, we examine how satan's deception causes us to break our covenant with God.

Satan whispers words that cause many to become insecure in themselves and unknowingly, in God. Say the devil tells a male Believer, "you're not good enough, and everyone knows it." It might take a while, but that man eventually believes this untruth and takes steps to ensure he's 'good enough'. Mr. Career aims to climb the corporate ladder, and decides working harder than others is the key to overcome the (supposed) questions about him. All that work leads to him spending less time with God, causes stress, and ill health. He might get a hefty pay raise in the process, but at the cost of burn out, less communion with the Lord, and the reality that he still believes he's not good enough.

Yet, Mr. Career rises up the corporate ladder and becomes convinced that his approach - work harder than everyone else - is a successful strategy. His attitude changes. He becomes mean and close relationships disintegrate. His coworkers quietly despise him but he sees that as confirmation he's doing just fine. Outwardly, his pride and arrogance increase. However, when alone, he battles with doubts and other negative thoughts.

What could this man have done differently? He should have called satan a liar (John 8:44). He should have declared he is made in the image of God and therefore good enough (Genesis 1:27). After all, He is God's masterpiece and thus fearfully and wonderfully made (Ephesians 2:10; Psalm 139:14). Furthermore, Mr. Career didn't need to rely on his might - working harder than others - because God promises to provide for His beloved even when they are asleep (Psalm 127:2). Therefore, this man could have trusted God to make all necessary provision arrive at the perfect time be it in his job or elsewhere. This provision would be spiritual and physical. This would include favor from a boss, wisdom to solve complex problems and more.

By failing to trust in God's faithful character, Mr. Career "broke faith". This means he didn't rely on the Lord to fight for him and work all things out for his good as promised in Jeremiah 29:11. This is a breaking of covenant with God because as a Believer, he'd committed to trust the Lord. Instead, however, he trusted in himself - his capacity to use his time and smarts (both of which are gifts from God in the first place) - to prove everyone wrong. All this because he believed a lie. A falsehood peddled by satan to ensnare Mr. Career into an ungodly cycle that could lead to rebellion against God's purposes for him, wickedness toward others, and ultimately, separation from God.

Many of us are Mr. Career, believing satan's lie and forgetting God created us for exploits. We think we need to be smarter, more beautiful, skinnier, richer, have a better network or some other strategy to achieve self-determined goals. We ignore the fact that God can do anything, after all, Moses only needed his staff to be the most powerful man in Egypt. Joseph was armed with dreams, which were enough to make him Prime Minister of Egypt. Esther fasted to gain favor before her king and The King of kings. All 'ordinary' people who became great because they relied on the Lord and not on their own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).

Of course, believers are expected to do good work and create great product. Even more so because they have the mind of Christ and can access the Creator of the Universe for all their needs (1 Corinthians 2:16). But, when we behave like Mr. Career, we ignore God's purpose for us. This results in failing to acknowledge God and breaking our covenant to honor, trust and submit to the Almighty.

We've talked about how important God takes covenants. He expects us not to break them, even if it hurts to do so. Fortunately for His children, He Himself has covenanted to forgive those who repent (1 John 1:9). As such, Mr. Career need only return to the Lord to be redeemed (Isaiah 44:22). It may take a while for him to grow in his faith but praise the Lord, he only needs to start with a mustard seeds-worth and God will build him up in faith over time.

May the Lord help us recognize our errors. May He help us to return to Him for redemption. May we seek His face for understanding on how to deal with the challenges satan throws our way to ensnare us. For the word says the Lord will always warn His children of what is to come (Psalm 81:8; Proverbs 3:32). Lord, we thank You and look forward to Your increased presence in our lives, IJMN, Amen.

See you all at Noon EST for fellowship.