How to discern the two
Is the devil in the blessing business?
Yep.
At least it starts out feeling like a blessing.
Have you ever prayed for something that you knew (or suspected) was outside of God’s perfect will – but you received it anyway?
At that moment of “answered prayer,” did you ever feel like, “WoW, I was wrong.” It must have been God’s will for me to have this. Otherwise, why would He give it to me?
That person, place, or thing became the object of your testimony – ‘Look what God has done!’ Your whole world was filled with joy. You told your friends and family about how “God has blessed me.” But they didn’t have the same joy for you, or congratulations you expected, you chalked it up to jealousy or envy.”
Then something strange eventually happened, After the thrill of victory wore off, and you had “this blessing” for a while – the blessing began to turn on you!
How many of you have era “blessing” that turned on you?
We knew when I signed the papers and bought my house, it was too good to be true. A big house on a big lot, and such a good price. After a few weeks of moving in, things started going wrong. A feeling of great dread came over it. Oh No! We couldn’t afford to fix all the problems the house had, now causing extreme, undue stress, trying to keep our heads above water. What a way to loose a “blessing” right?
How many relationships did you pray for God to bless that He didn’t even accept, call or choose to be in your life? Yes, I’ve had a few of those too. In our own eyes the relationship seemed to mirror the image of our fantasies.
Maybe, it wasn’t the devil blessing us as much of that God allows the manifestation of our selfish flesh-filled desire to teach us.
Desires that are aptly disguised with great intentions and great promises that are just as holey dirty rags,
After a few loans from the bank, and a whole lotta budgeting,we got the house fixed up, Well, at least my children were told the wrong and right way to buy a house.
And we were grateful to God that next time we wouldn’t be so ignorant.
Even though delivering from our ignorance of any situation we get ourselves into involves many days, weeks months, or even years of being chained to our choices and living out the consequences.
I hated some of the things, I so wanted God to “bless” me with. But I had to accept the tough love, where God’s mercy tolerates our pain, but doesn’t let the pain destroy us.
The Devil would have us to believe that earthy success, wealth, and even fame must be an indication that God was blessing us. We should not be deceived. We should run from any person who teaches is that money equals godliness or that financial wealth is the barometer of God’s anointing (1 Timothy 6:5-6).
There is nothing inherently wrong with being successful, deathly, or having fame. What’s wrong with this is we allow these things pull us away from God, or out of God’s will, and into things that displease God and how we can let’s a curse bless us again.
So, how can you tell if something is a gift from God – or just another one of the devils counterfeits fueled by our flesh?
- Be honest with yourself. If something sounds to good to be true it probably is.
Tell the truth, especially to yourself. We may be able to fool the people around us, but we cannot fool God. Like, “God I want to win the lottery so I can help others.” Be truly honest. Have you helped others with what you already have? Whether it’s a kind word, your time or resources. What is the real deal? Why are you pursue what you want?
God searches our hearts and knows the truth. We can ask Him to reveal any hidden motives in us, (Psalm 139:23-24). Repent and commit to aligning your will with His. That’s where your true blessings are.
- Know that every good and perfect gift comes from God.
When God blesses us, the gift will never turn on us (James 1:17). In God there is no “variables” or “Shadows” of turning. God’s nature toward His gifts never changes, and neither will the goodness of the gift.
The blessings God gives are perfect, complete and whole. You never have to worry about God being an Indian giver. His blessing are predestined and eternal.
- God’s gifts add no sorrow.
When God blesses you, it does you no harm, no damage will come to your life or your relationships (Proverbs 10:22). His blessings will richly add not subtract – to your life spiritually emotionally, or mentally, not just financially. You will not become depressed, or miserable. The goal of God’s blessings is to prosper your soul for a legacy of godly living.
- God’s love is greater than our earthly fathers.
Many of us have experienced great love from our fathers. Yet, even the best earthly fathers are still sinners who need the saving grace of Jesus. If our flawed fathers know how to give us good gifts, what will our Heavenly Father give us (Matthew 7:11). God loves us so much more than anyone else could ever imagine. He demonstrates His love by giving us His best.
- God gifts us with unanswered prayers – be grateful
I know I have a few prayers, that I am very grateful God didn’t answer. No good thing will God withhold from you (Psalm 84:11). So, if you don’t receive it, keep it, or have it, it wasn’t good for you. Be grateful for every one of God’s No’s. Be thankful that He cares enough for us to not allow our begging and pleading for something that would destroy us if it were to come to pass. Sure, it won’t feel good at first, but when God reveals what would have been -Whew. Thank you God for not answering that prayer.
So, trust God’s choice blessing over what you think you need or want. Allow the joy of the Lord to enter your heart, and be your strength, your hope, and your pursuit (Nehemiah 8:10). When you do you will never have to experience the regret and decay of a blessing gone bad. Then you will be truly blessed.
From Pity to Praise 