The
devil often counterattacks after a spiritual victory. God used Gideon
and 300 men to defeat the Midianite's 135,000 but Gideon was going to
face some setbacks.
Sometimes,
friends, family and fellow believers will allow themselves to be used
by the devil to discourage and bring division in the body of Christ.
They gossip and complain as if your good fortune takes something away
from them.
The
Ephraimites criticized Gideon after his triumph. They complained that
he did not include them in the spoils of victory. In the same way,
some churches suffer from people with divisive attitudes. They want
to have their own way and lose sight of the Kingdom of God and His
righteousness. The devil’s best strategy is disunity and division.
Ephraim
allowed jealousy to cloud their judgment. They were embittered and
put their own interests above the greater good of God's people. Some
folks can get so wrapped up in their own problems that they do not
take time to consider Jesus' Great Commission and Great Commandment.
We
will not always see things eye-to-eye. Disagreements occur from time
to time and feelings are hurt. It happens in the best of families.
Learn to put away your anger and jealousy. Replace them compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, bearing with one
another, even as God has done so with you. (Ephesians
4:31-32)
Never
forget where the true battle is and the true enemy. Our battle is not
with people, but with our own selfish human nature, with the world
and with the devil. "For all that is in the world, the lust of
the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life is not
from the Father, but is from the world." (I
John 2:15-16)
Our
weapons are spiritual. Gossip and deceitful scheming will fail. God
fights our battles. We need not fight and bicker in anger but submit
to God's will.
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