In my video blog today, I talk about the word "if" and how Satan can really use that word to plant doubt in our minds, derail us and keep us off balance. In fact, I think this is one of the tactics used most often by Satan. It's so simple, and we don't always recognize that it's him at all. As I look back over my Christian walk, there have been plenty of times I've said or thought "Well what if I don't have the skill set" or "What if I don't have enough money" or "What if no one wants to participate"--you get the picture. We've all been there.
One of those "what if" times for me was when I came to work for Back to the Bible. It didn't happen over night (as you'll see below). That was 8 years ago, and I'm so glad I took that step. Here's what happened. I put in an application and had an interview. It went well. But almost immediately after I left, Satan started pushing that "what if" game at me, and I played right along. You see the thought of working full time for a ministry was so different from what I'd been doing (practicing law) that it was a little scary. Satan knew that and used those feelings to get to me. I was pretty convinced within just a day or so after my interview that I couldn't work at Back to the Bible because "What if those perfect Christian people really knew me," "What if the people at Back to the Bible found out that I wasn't reading my Bible every day," or whatever. Satan had me convinced that I could never measure up and that I should just look for some other job that wasn't in ministry because God couldn't use me. Well, that wasn't true and thankfully, my husband came along side me and gently pointed out that I was not being rational and that he was pretty sure God had a place for me at Back to the Bible. (Have I mentioned lately how awesome my husband is?) Anyway, he was right, and I took a position. Thank you, Jeff, and thank you, Lord, for giving me Jeff and for always being there with me and enabling me to not stay in that "what if" world.
So how about you? Can you think any times you let that little word "if" or the phrase "what if" to hinder your efforts for the Lord? Or how about a time when Satan tried that tactic with you but you were ready and didn't play along? I'd love to hear about your experience because every time I read or hear someone else's story it helps me be more prepared down the road. So write to us. It's so encouraging to hear from you all! Tami W.
P.S. My husband and I and the majority of the Back to the Bible team are heading home from Bermuda tomorrow. We aren't scheduled to get home until really late (midnight) so we'd sure appreciate your prayer for safe and timely travel.
Hi Tami,
Right at the tag end of your video blog you talked about not being afraid to stand up and be a lone voice. I just finished reading today's P4 at 1 Samuel 16. The part that jumped out to me was when Samuel anointed David, and "the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward." That sounds to me like the Spirit ran to David with open arms, and it never left him. What a wonderful thing! And we have that as Christians, because we have Christ's Spirit living within us. So, really, we are never a "lone voice", even if it looks like that to others.
And by listening to the Spirit's voice within us, we can learn to discern the tone of that "if", and where it truly comes from. The more we know and love the voice of our Master, the less we'll be likely to be diverted/tricked by another voice.
Travel blessings on all of you coming home. Denise
Tami, Thank you for your sharing your "What ifs". I too have had Satan's voice in my head filling it with what ifs for far too long. To hear someone else talk with almost the same words as I felt, really opened my eyes to God telling me what a tool this is of the Devil. This past week, I shared part of my life story of holding in grief and anger. I had never shared this story before. As I have been working on it these past weeks Satan has really gotten me with those what ifs...What if they really knew what you were like?" and "no one wants to hear what you have to say". It was really tough pushing through. But I did it. I wrote the story through the pain and through the tears and I shared the story-outloud and in front of people. It no longer was hidden in me and I felt so victorious! The only thing ringing in my ears this weekend is "there is power in the blood!" Reading about Saul and David and Johnathan has been timely and encouraging this week. Thank you for believing in God and not that slimy satan and coming to BTTB-we are blessed and touched by God through you! Diana
Hi Tami,
Just wanted to tell you what a blessing powered by 4 is. I'm married and my wife and children have not come to know christ yet. Please keep them in your prayers.May God continue to Bless you and Dr. kroll and the ministry.
In Christ,
Kevin
Hi;
Tami thank you for your comment on the more we know and love the voice of our Master the less likely we are to be diverted/tricked...how true.
The Lord also can use "what if" to keep us from being diverted/tricked, as well. Thankfully, through His Holy Spirit living in us we can discern who it is. We will know the sound of His voice by reading His Word, praying, and seeking Him with our whole heart, mind and soul.
There have been many times in my life, especially, when the Lord has ask me to do something, the "what if" comes up. What if I say the wrong thing, what if they dislike what I am saying, what if I stutter, or pause or lose my train of thought, what if it doesn't make since....and it goes on and on. However, what I have learned is if I am doing what He, the Lord has called me to do, the "what if" don't matter. If I am relying on my own abilities then the "what if" will cause me to falter. So, no matter the task before us, our heart should be seeking His will and glory to be done.
Hi Ms. Weissert,
I am a young youth leader of my church and do get massively encouraged by the power of 4. I encounter so much problems in my ministry that sometimes i only think of the option of running away from it all. I get the thoughts what if i left this or what if i went somewhere else but then I remember than God is greater than any problems I have, no matter what. Just like how David encountered Goliath, I get comforted from this passage. By the way i really love the background music of Back to the Bible. It gives me added joy and remembrance of all the good times I had of listening to Dr. Kroll over the past 3 years. Anyway that I could buy or you can send me a Demo? God Bless from me down here in Trinidad and Tobago. Dr. Kroll should come after he visits from Jamaica.
I know the "if" game very well. Unfortunately, it came to the point of almost ending my marriage. So, here I am; tending to my life's needs to get closer to God through devoted reading of the scriptures. I truly appreciate the P4 website. It challenges me in ways that I need. Not just reading the words, but thinking about what went into them as the author's wrote them down. I do have a question that has come up in my reading twice now...why does the "author" of the book of Samuel refer to something notated in my New Century Version as "an evil spirit from God...(1 Samuel 18:10)" I thought God was all good and pure. Why is it referred to as from God and NOT Satan?
Thanks for your question, Mike. I am writing on behalf of Tami.
The Bible teaches that God is holy and righteous. How, then, could He send an "evil spirit" upon Saul? It doesn't seem consistent with God's character.
First we need to note that an "evil spirit" would be better translated as a "distressing" (some versions have "tormenting") spirit. So it is not "evil" or "wicked" in the sense that Satan and his angels are. God has no spirits of that type.
Furthermore, it is sent in response to Saul's behavior. Twice (that we know of) Saul had defied God's commands (1 Samuel 13:13-14, 15:11, 19). The Bible has many instances where God justly sent punishment upon the wicked including the Flood in Genesis 7 and multiple times upon Israel when the nation turned its back on Him. This no more makes God a source of evil than a just judge today would be evil because he or she sentences a guilty person to prison or death.
Finally, we need to realize that Saul opened himself up to this kind of spirit of a "distressing spirit" when he gave in to jealousy and bitterness. When we sin, and reap the consequences, we should not put the blame on God.
Allen Bean
Biblical Correspondent