Misuse of affections is another stealthy snare: it takes what God gave to show His love (romance, friendship, family, nation) and lifts the gift onto the throne. When your heart gives final authority to a person, a friendship circle, or a flag, that affection becomes a rival loyalty, quietly pushing out the One who made you to worship the One True God.
What is oppressing you—illness, debt, fear, shame? Every dark way must be brought into the light; every wrong set right; every proud heart humbled. Every deception will be exposed and replaced by truth, so the Life of God can be seen everywhere (Luke 3:5).
Another tactic of the tempter is to convince us to hide behind false humility, while we pretend lowliness, while secretly protecting the self.
Spiritual pride shows up in two ways: as self‑exaltation or as sulking when God’s pruning exposes our weakness. Another tactic of the tempter is to convince us during our season of pruning that we’ve been stripped bare because we’re worthless. Yes – pruning is painful and disorienting, and yes, the Holy Spirit’s sharp truth can leave us thinking: “Am I even in Christ Jesus?” When Jesus spoke bluntly with his disciples (“It is easier for a camel…”), the disciples cried, “Who then can be saved?” He answered, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:23–26). Scripture also asks, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” and answers, “Nothing” (Rom. 8:35–39).
Spiritual pride is when the pursuit of holiness twists inward, and it suddenly becomes all about you! Your image, your great ideas, your rightness, how much God is blessing you! … It looks holy, but it’s actually quite hollow.
After an awful lot of “you should really read this,” I (finally) gave in and got to read my wife’s favourite book: Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers. What an emotional rollercoaster!
The enemy will seek to keep us occupied with trivialities so that we don’t have time to either pray or reflect. They will try to fill our days with small, urgent (or even entertaining) tasks, leaving no room for real communion with God.
As I see it, this is not about God wanting to tempt us. This is rather a petition asking God to protect us from situations or spiritual tests that would lead us to sin and overwhelm our faith. It doesn’t mean God is blamed for tempting people (Scripture confirms that God does not tempt anyone — James 1:13). Rather, the prayer asks: That God would keep us from being placed in occasions of temptation or overwhelming trial; (1 Corinthians 10:13) — God provides a way out, so temptation won’t be overwhelming.
The question that we hear the most is: If GOD is so loving, why does He permit suffering and evil in the world? It’s a deep question many of us struggle with. Part of the Christian answer is the belief in free will: people can make real choices — including ones that cause harm. Nonetheless, while painful, this freedom is seen as essential for genuine love and relationships.
