Anxiety & Depression 3: "Satan's Game"
As a friend pointed out after reading my previous post, I have neglected to mention a very critical component of our struggle with anxiety and depression, and that is spiritual oppression. Throughout the next several weeks I will unpack different ways to deal with depression. Some will address the mental component and others will address the physical component. Today I want to talk about your soul and its enemy.
Just a reminder that I am writing this from my worldview which is informed by the Bible. I believe that our greatest Joy in this life and after is found in Christ alone. I also believe that there is an enemy who seeks to steal our joy: Satan. Often in both Christian and secular culture, we tend to talk about Satan too much or too little. Those who speak of him too much are playing with fire (and I'm not talking about the cartoon character devil with a pitchfork and flames licking his feet). I mean that people invite the oppression of Satan into their lives by toying with the supernatural. On the other hand, there are those who live as if Satan and his demons do not even exist. Those are his favorites because he can manipulate them so easily.
The Bible says that Satan is "the father of lies" (John 8:44), so it is paramount to call truth to mind when he comes knocking. Let's start with some important truths:
God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present. Therefore, Satan can only do what God allows him to do (See Job 1). While God has our best interest in mind, Satan desires our destruction. He hates you and wants to lay you out flat. He does not want you to live the fullest life that God has for you, and he certainly does not want you to feel like God loves you.
As I mentioned above, Satan is the "father of lies." Most of his lies are "half-truths," that is why he is so good at deception. Consider his deception of Eve in the garden:
Satan was putting words in God's mouth and twisting them ever so slightly. The TRUTH is that God told them not to eat of ONE specific tree in the garden. Satan wanted Eve to doubt that God said anything at all!
TRUTH: Satan's aim is to deceive you in such a way that you no longer trust God, His Word, and His Promises.
Possibly one of the most referenced passages in the Bible in regards to "naming and claiming" the truth of God's word is Matthew 4: Jesus is Tested in the Wilderness by Satan. With each of Satan's attempts to deceive, Jesus comes back with truth from scripture. Many have taken this to mean, "If I just quote enough scripture, Satan will leave me alone." However, Satan already knows scripture! In fact, he can quote it himself! (Matthew 4:6). Instead, the key to Jesus' "success" is found at the beginning of the chapter.
TRUTH: God is more powerful than Satan, and God protects His children
So what does this have to do with depression and anxiety? . . . A LOT! Satan loves to get his hands on every single aspect of your struggle. Physically, he enjoys putting obstacles in your way. Mentally, he will lie to you all day long. Spiritually, he will condemn you. On top of that, he is reveling in the confusion, angst, loneliness, and hopelessness you are feeling.
How then, can we beat Satan at his game? We can start by joining the winning side and embracing the Good News of Jesus. If you are not sure what that means, I would encourage you to listen to this message from John Piper. I recently heard it on a podcast and felt that it was really well said. He begins by saying:
The Good News is that the Creator was pleased to pour out His wrath on His own Son who lived the perfect life we could not live. If we surrender our affections to Him, the wrath is diverted from us and we are accepted into God's family. The winning side.
TRUTH: "If God is for us, who can be against us?" - Romans 8:31
Consider this week where you stand. Talk to someone about it. This is not only the most crucial component to your struggle with anxiety. It is the most important decision you will ever make.
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Next week, we will talk about how vulnerability and community are important tools for spoiling Satan's plan for our life.
Just a reminder that I am writing this from my worldview which is informed by the Bible. I believe that our greatest Joy in this life and after is found in Christ alone. I also believe that there is an enemy who seeks to steal our joy: Satan. Often in both Christian and secular culture, we tend to talk about Satan too much or too little. Those who speak of him too much are playing with fire (and I'm not talking about the cartoon character devil with a pitchfork and flames licking his feet). I mean that people invite the oppression of Satan into their lives by toying with the supernatural. On the other hand, there are those who live as if Satan and his demons do not even exist. Those are his favorites because he can manipulate them so easily.
The Bible says that Satan is "the father of lies" (John 8:44), so it is paramount to call truth to mind when he comes knocking. Let's start with some important truths:
God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present. Therefore, Satan can only do what God allows him to do (See Job 1). While God has our best interest in mind, Satan desires our destruction. He hates you and wants to lay you out flat. He does not want you to live the fullest life that God has for you, and he certainly does not want you to feel like God loves you.
As I mentioned above, Satan is the "father of lies." Most of his lies are "half-truths," that is why he is so good at deception. Consider his deception of Eve in the garden:
Did God really say "You must not eat from any tree in the garden?" - Genesis 3:1
Satan was putting words in God's mouth and twisting them ever so slightly. The TRUTH is that God told them not to eat of ONE specific tree in the garden. Satan wanted Eve to doubt that God said anything at all!
TRUTH: Satan's aim is to deceive you in such a way that you no longer trust God, His Word, and His Promises.
Possibly one of the most referenced passages in the Bible in regards to "naming and claiming" the truth of God's word is Matthew 4: Jesus is Tested in the Wilderness by Satan. With each of Satan's attempts to deceive, Jesus comes back with truth from scripture. Many have taken this to mean, "If I just quote enough scripture, Satan will leave me alone." However, Satan already knows scripture! In fact, he can quote it himself! (Matthew 4:6). Instead, the key to Jesus' "success" is found at the beginning of the chapter.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil - Matthew 4:1In spiritual warfare, it matters whose side you are on. There is no neutrality with God. Either you are a child of God or a child of Satan (John 8:39-47). How can you tell the difference? . . .Which voice are you listening to? Children of God still sin, but they have the Holy Spirit living inside of them.
Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. - 1 John 4:4
TRUTH: God is more powerful than Satan, and God protects His children
So what does this have to do with depression and anxiety? . . . A LOT! Satan loves to get his hands on every single aspect of your struggle. Physically, he enjoys putting obstacles in your way. Mentally, he will lie to you all day long. Spiritually, he will condemn you. On top of that, he is reveling in the confusion, angst, loneliness, and hopelessness you are feeling.
How then, can we beat Satan at his game? We can start by joining the winning side and embracing the Good News of Jesus. If you are not sure what that means, I would encourage you to listen to this message from John Piper. I recently heard it on a podcast and felt that it was really well said. He begins by saying:
"The greatest problem facing this world is that the Creator of the universe has sentenced every human being to everlasting condemnation because we have all committed treason against him by giving the allegiance of our greatest affections to other things and not to him." - John Piper
The Good News is that the Creator was pleased to pour out His wrath on His own Son who lived the perfect life we could not live. If we surrender our affections to Him, the wrath is diverted from us and we are accepted into God's family. The winning side.
TRUTH: "If God is for us, who can be against us?" - Romans 8:31
Consider this week where you stand. Talk to someone about it. This is not only the most crucial component to your struggle with anxiety. It is the most important decision you will ever make.
-----
Next week, we will talk about how vulnerability and community are important tools for spoiling Satan's plan for our life.
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