Welcome to The Sisterhood Hub! The Hub is where I share insights, resources, and reflections that have deepened my faith and strengthened my Christian walk. My hope is that you find encouragement and inspiration, be uplifted and challenged as you navigate your own journey. The Hub is dedicated to empowering women to embrace their God-given identity, rooted in the love, grace, mercy, truth and sacrifice of our Lord, Saviour, and soon-coming King, Jesus Christ. May this be a source of strength and renewal, fostering your self-worth and guiding you to live out your faith authentically. Together, let us walk confidently in our callings, trusting God every step of the way. May our lives reflect humility, integrity, and reverence for Him, as the Holy Spirit leads us to live fruitfully for His glory. The mission is to parade God’s love by sharing the gospel, writing, engaging in outreach and missionary work, distributing Christian resources, and serving communities both locally and internationally—as a pro-life advocate, committed to the sanctity of life from the womb to the tomb and beyond the grave, in both the physical and spiritual realms, as every life matters. Blessings, Lori 💕
“Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waiver between two opinions? If the Lord is your God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing.” ~ 1 Kings 18:21
“The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule on their own authority; And My people love it this way! But what will you do when the end comes?” ~ Jeremiah 5:31
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths.” ~ 2 Timothy 4:3-4
Self-Appointed Ministers and False Doctrine
The time has arrived: people no longer tolerate sound doctrine, and many so-called ministers avoid preaching the true gospel. False preaching has filled churches with shallow doctrines and powerless messages, which Jesus called the “synagogue of Satan” (Revelation 2:9; 3:9). Some ministers today are not called or chosen by God; they are self-appointed, motivated by popularity or profit rather than eternal truth. Paul warned of these false ministers: “For if someone comes to you and preaches a different Jesus, a different spirit, and a different gospel, you put up with it” (2 Corinthians 11:4; Galatians 1:6-9).
A Shallow, Feel-Good Gospel
These ministers avoid core truths like repentance, regeneration, God’s law, His holiness, and the need for holy living. They refuse to preach the call to surrender, and they avoid mentioning judgment and hell, even though Jesus declared, “Only the one who does the will of my Father” will enter heaven (Matthew 7:21). Instead, they preach a shallow gospel of self-sufficiency, self-esteem, and feel-good psychology, all of which ignore the essence of Christ’s message.
Powerless Religion: Denying the True Gospel’s Authority
False preachers have “a form of godliness but deny its power” (2 Timothy 3:5). Their gospel lacks the power to save. Paul cautioned, “Have nothing to do with them.” These ministers are driven by personal ideas rather than Scripture, which is the true authority that liberates us: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1).
A false minister preaches what is comfortable, not what is true. Many television and radio preachers avoid calling for transformation through faith in Christ, a faith that leads to true obedience. They avoid speaking of our call to become new creations, choosing instead messages that please their listeners. But the gospel calls us not to personal comfort but to die to ourselves and follow God’s will.
The Cost of True Discipleship
They also promote a distorted gospel of health, wealth, and happiness, avoiding the true cost of discipleship. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” (Matthew 16:24-26).
The Influence of Ecumenism and Marxism in False Preaching
In addition to these feel-good messages, many false ministers preach ecumenism and Marxist liberation theology, diluting the gospel even further. Ecumenism is a movement aimed at creating unity among different Christian denominations and sometimes even between Christianity and other religions. While unity sounds appealing, ecumenism often compromises essential truths of the faith to avoid offense, leading to a “lowest common denominator” belief that waters down the gospel. The result is often an empty unity that values superficial harmony over the uncompromised truth of Scripture.
Marxist liberation theology, on the other hand, takes its cues from political ideologies, particularly Marxism, which emphasizes class struggle and often sees Christianity primarily as a tool for social justice rather than spiritual transformation. Liberation theology encourages believers to focus on political and economic liberation, often framing Jesus’ message as one of social reform rather than personal salvation. The gospel, however, addresses sin and the need for reconciliation with God above any political agenda. When churches focus on Marxist ideology over biblical teaching, they miss the core of Christ’s message and mislead their followers.
Driven by social and political agendas, these teachings overlook the gospel’s demand for holy living, the reality of judgment and eternity, and the necessity of repentance. Instead, they emphasize unity and earthly liberation over submission to God’s Word.
The Love of Money and Empty Messages
Greed drives many of these false ministers. Their messages appeal to those willing to give generously, but they carefully avoid difficult truths like repentance, holiness, hell, and judgment. Like Judas, who betrayed Jesus for money, and Simon Magus, who wanted to buy the Holy Spirit for profit (Acts 8), these ministers are guided by self-interest at the expense of truth.
A true pastor must not be motivated by financial gain. Peter writes, “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve” (1 Peter 5:2). Many pastors today cater their messages to please their congregations rather than teaching about salvation, repentance, and the lordship of Jesus Christ. A wolf in sheep’s clothing speaks pleasant words, selects easy topics, and avoids truths that might be uncomfortable.
A Call for Courageous, Faithful Churches
In his final warning, Paul urged Timothy to recognize that sound doctrine might be difficult to hear and to remain steadfast in preaching truth. We pray for God to raise up churches with the courage to remain faithful to His Word, resisting pressure to dilute doctrine or conform to shifting societal values. While society may change, God’s Word remains eternal and unchanging. The Bible should transform society, not the other way around.
Praying for Faithful Ministers
In these times, we must pray for those chosen and appointed to be pastors and teachers to stand firm, as Jesus did, even in the face of criticism. May God raise up faithful ministers who will preach, teach, and stand for the truth of the Holy Scriptures.
Scripture as Our Ultimate Authority
Remember, the Bible is our only tool. All Scripture is given by God and is useful for teaching, correction, and training in righteousness. Through Scripture, God’s servants are fully equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
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**By Mission Venture Ministries / Photo by Lisa Fotios at Pexels
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” — Matthew 7:15 (NKJV)
“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.” — 2 Corinthians 11:13 (NKJV)
Not everyone who appears to belong to God truly represents Him. Some people can speak convincingly about the Bible, use Christian language, and appear godly while leading others away from the truth.
Think about counterfeit money. Bank tellers and shopkeepers learn to recognise genuine banknotes so they can identify counterfeits. In the same way, we need to know God’s Word and understand the character of Jesus so we can recognise when something does not reflect Him.
The Bible warns us that people can have “a form of godliness” while denying its power (2 Timothy 3:5). As we grow in our understanding of Scripture, we develop discernment and learn to distinguish between what is genuine and what only appears to be genuine (Hebrews 5:14).
Some people may say that identifying false teachers or harmful spiritual leaders is judgmental. However, Jesus Himself warned us to watch out for wolves in sheep’s clothing. We are not called to judge someone’s heart as though we know everything about them, but we are called to recognise the fruit of their lives and teachings. 2 Timothy 3:2–5 describes people who are selfish, proud, unloving, and deceptive, yet may still appear religious. Look at the Pharisees, whom Jesus rebuked as a ‘brood of vipers’ (Matthew 23:33 NKJV).
In our midst, we have ferocious wolves, not sparing the sheep! They haven’t come to play games. As agents of the enemy, sometimes unwittingly, they are used by Satan to work through deception. False teachers who infiltrate the church can become instruments of deception, seeking to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10).
We must not assume that someone is a committed Christian simply because they claim to believe, speak Christian language, or know biblical principles. What matters is whether their faith is reflected in their character and conduct. The Bible also tells us that Satan can transform himself into an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). Evil does not always look evil; sometimes it disguises itself as goodness and righteousness.
Let us not naively close our eyes to the reality that wolves can be found within our churches. We must not assume that everyone who claims to represent God truly does so. Jesus warned us about deception because He wants us to remain watchful, grounded in His Word, and able to recognise the difference between genuine godly character and a convincing outward appearance—a shiny veneer with rotten fruit hidden inside, just like some fruit at the supermarket. As Jesus warned us in Matthew 7:20, we will know them by their fruits.
So, what should we look out for? Here are 3 ways to recognise a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
1. When Those in Spiritual Authority Lead Others to Stumble
Those who teach God’s Word carry a serious responsibility. A pulpit should be used to explain Scripture faithfully and point people towards Jesus, not to manipulate others, build a personal following, or promote someone’s own interests or agenda.
A person can quote Scripture and still twist its meaning. They may use Bible verses to justify their behaviour, pressure people into doing what they want, or discourage questions that might expose their wrongdoing.
They may also present their own opinions, beliefs, or agenda as though they are in line with God’s Word, using the language of love, compassion, or acceptance to make their teaching sound right. But something does not become biblical simply because it is presented as loving or spoken with sincerity.
A preacher who wants to please everyone but consistently avoids addressing repentance, sin, forgiveness and the need for salvation is neglecting something central to the biblical message. Jesus Himself preached, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand’ (Matthew 4:17, NKJV). He commanded His disciples to preach repentance, and they did so (Mark 6:12). The Gospel was never meant to be watered down to win people’s approval. The Church has a responsibility to proclaim God’s truth faithfully and point people to Jesus Christ, because people’s souls matter.
We must be willing to examine what is being taught against Scripture, even when the person teaching it is respected, persuasive, or widely admired. We must not allow a spiritual leader’s interpretation to take the place of God’s Word, or follow a teaching simply because we are made to feel that questioning it is unloving.
When we need clarity or discernment concerning a situation or a person, we should seek the Lord through prayer and fasting. Our focus must be on God, not on people. As we draw near to Him and seek His wisdom, we can ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in understanding and help us discern truth from error. We must remain grounded in God’s Word, testing what we believe we have discerned against Scripture. Jesus said, ‘But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you’ (Matthew 6:33, NKJV). The Holy Spirit will give us revelation, and lead us into all truth ( John 16:13 NKJV). This reminds us that our priority must be to seek God and His righteousness above all else, trusting Him for guidance as we remain faithful to His Word, and this will build us up in the spirit.
Jesus said, ‘Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven’ (Matthew 7:21, NKJV). He also asked, ‘But why do you call Me “Lord, Lord,” and not do the things which I say?’ (Luke 6:46, NKJV). Calling Jesus Lord means little if our lives and teachings contradict His Word. An outward appearance of spirituality is no guarantee of genuine obedience to Christ.
Paul warned that some people deceive others with smooth words and flattering speech: ‘For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple’ (Romans 16:18, NKJV).
Jesus also gave a serious warning about causing others to stumble (Matthew 18:6). James 3:1 reminds us that teachers will face stricter judgment, while the Bereans in Acts 17:11 were commended for examining the Scriptures to check whether what they were being taught was true.
No spiritual leader is above God’s Word. We should respect genuine leadership, but we must never allow a person’s position, reputation, or confidence to replace the authority of Scripture.
2. Wolves Live for the Love of Power Rather Than the Power of Love
Jesus taught His disciples that leadership in His kingdom should look very different from the way worldly authority is often used.
“Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.” — Matthew 20:26 (NKJV)
A godly leader understands that authority is a responsibility to serve others, not an opportunity to control them. Their aim should be to help people grow in faith, not to make people dependent on them or afraid to question them.
Wolves, however, may use their position to intimidate, silence, or control others. They may use guilt, spiritual threats, or fear to get their way. They may discourage people from asking questions, raising concerns, or seeking accountability.
As their power grows, some may begin to act as though their position places them beyond question. They may expect blind obedience, treat their own opinions as the final authority, and behave as though nobody has the right to challenge them. Because people may fear the consequences of speaking up, these leaders can become increasingly confident that they can say or do whatever they please without being held accountable.
They may lord it over those under their authority rather than serve them in love. Instead of recognising that leadership carries a serious responsibility before God, they may treat people as subjects who must obey them and accept their agenda without question, even when it conflicts with Scripture. Those who agree with them may be praised as loving and accepting, while those who stand by God’s Word may be ostracised, labelled unloving, or accused of lacking compassion. In this way, their position becomes a source of personal power rather than an opportunity to serve, and obedience to the leader’s views can take precedence over faithfulness to God’s Word.
Yet the true character of a person is often revealed when that power is questioned. Someone who appears gentle and caring while others agree with them may react very differently when challenged, corrected, or told no. They may respond with anger, humiliation, intimidation, manipulation, or retaliation. What once looked like confidence may reveal itself as a refusal to accept correction.
A sweet tongue can hide sharp teeth. Wolves in sheep’s clothing may appear kind, generous, sincere, and trustworthy. They may know exactly what to say to gain people’s confidence, while their actions reveal a desire to dominate. They may appear loving in public but treat people very differently behind closed doors.
Pay attention to how someone responds when things do not go their way. Can they listen to another point of view? Can they admit when they are wrong? Are they willing to apologise and make things right when they have hurt someone? Or do they repeatedly use their authority, charm, or spiritual standing to silence others and avoid responsibility?
Healthy spiritual leadership welcomes appropriate questions and accountability. A leader who genuinely wants to honour God should be willing to have their teaching and conduct examined in the light of Scripture.
This does not mean that every disagreement with a leader is evidence of wrongdoing. We all have different personalities and may sometimes misunderstand one another. Everyone can fail, and genuine Christians need correction too. The concern is a persistent pattern of behaviour, especially when a person refuses to take responsibility or continues to hurt others despite being made aware of the harm.
Jesus said we would recognise people by their fruit (Matthew 7:20). Fruit takes time to grow, so it is important to look at a person’s conduct over time rather than relying on first impressions. Religious language cannot excuse harmful behaviour. Neither can a person’s knowledge of Scripture, public image, or apparent sincerity.
We should pay particular attention to how people in positions of authority treat those who have less power, those who disagree with them, and those who can offer them nothing in return.
The important question is not simply whether someone holds a leadership position, but how they use that authority and whether their conduct reflects the character of Christ. True spiritual authority does not make a person untouchable. It calls them to greater humility, greater accountability, and greater love.
3. Wolves Can Look More Like Sheep Than the Sheep Themselves
Sometimes those who deceive are so convincing that they appear more like genuine sheep than the sheep themselves. They may be charming, generous, helpful, respectable, and trusted by the very people they intend to deceive. Their outward appearance may give no obvious indication of the harm they are capable of causing.
This is precisely why discernment is so important. Deception does not always arrive looking dangerous. Sometimes it comes through someone who appears exceptionally kind, caring, and trustworthy.
Jesus warned: “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” — John 10:10 (NKJV) In the context of this passage, Jesus contrasts the thief with Himself as the Good Shepherd, who gives abundant life and lays down His life for the sheep. His warning reminds us of the destructive intentions of those who prey upon God’s people.
To gain access to those they intend to exploit, deceptive individuals may first seek to establish trust, build relationships, and create a favourable reputation. They may cultivate the confidence of those around them so successfully that, when concerns eventually emerge, others struggle to believe that anything could be wrong.
We see a particularly serious illustration of this in the grooming tactics used by some child abusers. An abuser may deliberately build trust with a child while also cultivating relationships with parents, caregivers, and the wider community. By appearing kind, helpful, and respectable, they may establish a reputation that makes it harder for others to recognise warning signs or take a child’s disclosure seriously.
When a child finally speaks about what has happened, those around them may respond with disbelief: “But they are such a nice person!” or “How dare you say such a thing about them?” The adult’s reputation may be defended while the child’s disclosure is dismissed or questioned. The case of Jimmy Savile is a sobering example. For years, his public image as a popular entertainer and charity fundraiser helped him gain the trust of others, while some victims who spoke about their experiences were not believed or taken seriously. His case is a sobering reminder that a person’s public image can conceal serious wrongdoing, and that those who speak up must not be dismissed simply because the person they accuse is popular, respected, or influential.
A person can be well-liked, trusted, and outwardly respectable while behaving very differently in private. Concerns must be heard and assessed carefully, and those who disclose abuse must not be dismissed simply because the accused person appears charming or respectable.
Although child abuse and spiritual deception are different forms of wrongdoing, this example illustrates an important principle: the ability to gain people’s trust is not, in itself, proof of good character, and a favourable reputation must never be allowed to replace careful examination of the evidence.
The same principle applies in church settings. A leader may be charismatic, generous, persuasive, hospitable and admired by the congregation. Yet none of these qualities, on their own, proves that their teaching is sound or their conduct beyond question. A respected leader’s position, popularity, or years of service should not automatically outweigh concerns raised by someone who says they have been harmed.
This does not mean that every accusation should automatically be accepted as true. Concerns should be handled fairly, responsibly, and with care for everyone involved. But neither should concerns be dismissed simply because the person being questioned is admired or influential.
Church leaders have a responsibility to protect vulnerable people, take concerns seriously, and ensure that appropriate accountability is in place. Protecting a reputation must never become more important than seeking truth and addressing wrongdoing.
People who speak up deserve to be listened to fairly, without being automatically labelled bitter, rebellious, or divisive. Sometimes the person raising the concern is the very person who needs protection and support.
Paul warned that false apostles could disguise themselves as apostles of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:13–15). The danger lies precisely in the disguise: outward appearances can persuade people to trust someone without adequately examining what that person teaches or does.
We must therefore avoid two errors. We must not assume that someone is guilty simply because a concern has been raised, but neither must we assume that someone is innocent simply because they appear kind, respectable, or godly, and are of high standing. We must listen carefully, examine the evidence, and take credible concerns seriously.
A convincing disguise can deceive those who judge by appearances alone. Spiritual discernment requires us to look beyond reputation and examine the truth, the conduct, and the fruit.
When It Is Time to Walk Away
There may come a time when we need to leave a church or congregation because harmful teaching, serious wrongdoing, or destructive behaviour is being tolerated rather than addressed.
Our first allegiance must be to Jesus Christ, not to a denomination, priest or pastor, or ministry. No institution or leader should be placed above the authority of God’s Word.
Psalm 1 warns us about the company we keep and the counsel we follow. We should be careful about remaining in an environment where deceit, slander, intimidation, or ungodly teaching is repeatedly encouraged or excused.
This does not mean that every disagreement is heresy or that every mistake means we should leave a church. No congregation is perfect, and all Christians need grace, correction, and growth.
However, if serious concerns become a pattern and those responsible show no willingness to address them, we may need to seek fellowship elsewhere. Remaining in a harmful environment simply because we have been there for years, respect a particular leader, or fear what others might think is not always the right choice.
Leaving an unhealthy church does not mean leaving God. We can seek a fellowship where Scripture is respected, leaders are accountable, and people are encouraged to grow in their relationship with Christ.
We can also pray for those who remain, asking God to protect them, open their eyes to the truth, and lead those responsible for wrongdoing to genuine repentance.
Leave Vengeance to God and Keep Your Heart Right Before Him
When we have been deceived, mistreated, or hurt by people who claim to represent God, it is natural to feel angry or upset. We may want others to know what happened, or we may long to see those responsible face consequences.
The Bible does not ask us to pretend that wrongdoing does not matter. It does, however, warn us against taking personal vengeance. “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” — Romans 12:19 (NKJV)
We can seek truth, report wrongdoing, protect others, and pursue appropriate accountability without allowing bitterness or revenge to take control of our hearts. Justice and accountability are not the same as personal vengeance.
We should also pray that those who have deceived, manipulated, or harmed others will recognise their wrongdoing, genuinely repent, and come to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Jesus said: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” — John 8:32 (NKJV)
God’s truth can expose deception and bring freedom to those who have been misled. It can also correct us when we need to change. James reminds us: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” — James 1:22 (NKJV)
It is not enough to know what the Bible says. We must allow God’s Word to shape how we live, how we treat others, and how we respond when we are wrong. We should regularly ask the Holy Spirit to examine our own motives, thoughts, attitudes, and actions. It is easy to focus on the faults of others while overlooking areas in our own lives that need correction.
David prayed: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.” — Psalm 51:10 (NKJV) That is a prayer we can all make our own.
In Matthew 13:24–30 and 36–43, Jesus tells the parable of the wheat and the tares. The parable reminds us that not everyone who appears to belong among God’s people is necessarily genuine, and that the final judgment belongs to Him.
We must therefore remain discerning without becoming proud, suspicious of everyone, or eager to condemn. We are called to recognise harmful fruit, hold fast to truth, and leave the final judgment of hearts to God.
Forgiveness does not mean excusing wrongdoing, denying what happened, or allowing someone to continue harming us. We can forgive while maintaining boundaries, seeking accountability, and protecting ourselves and others from further harm. Our aim should be to walk in truth, seek what is right, and keep our hearts free from hatred and vengeance.
May God give us the wisdom to recognise deception, the courage to stand for truth, and the humility to allow His Word to correct us. May He comfort those who have been hurt, protect those who are vulnerable, and lead those who have been misled back to the truth. And may those who have caused harm come to genuine repentance and salvation through Jesus Christ.
Look Beyond the Disguise
Jesus warned us about wolves in sheep’s clothing not to make us suspicious of everyone, but to help us understand that deception is real and discernment matters.
Let us remain grounded in God’s Word, humble enough to examine our own hearts, and willing to seek God’s wisdom and correction.
May we have the courage to stand for truth, the compassion to care for those who have been hurt, and the wisdom to recognise when something is wrong.
Above all, may we protect the vulnerable, support those who speak up about wrongdoing, and remember that our loyalty belongs first to Jesus Christ and His truth.
Let us pray.
Heavenly Father, please give us wisdom and discernment to recognise what is true and what is false. Help us to see beyond outward appearances and to judge teaching and behaviour according to Your Word.
Protect those who are vulnerable and comfort those who have been hurt or misled. Give them courage, support, and the opportunity to find healing. Lead those who have been harmed away from unhealthy environments and into fellowship where Your Word is faithfully taught and people are treated with love and respect.
Help us to forgive without excusing wrongdoing, to seek accountability without pursuing vengeance, and to trust You as the righteous Judge. Search our own hearts, correct whatever is not pleasing to You, and help us to become doers of Your Word rather than hearers only.
Please lead those who have deceived or harmed others to genuine repentance. Open their eyes to the truth and draw them to salvation through Jesus Christ.
Keep us faithful to You, grounded in Your Word, and guided by Your Holy Spirit. May our lives reflect the character of Jesus, and may we always stand for truth with humility, courage, and love.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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This is the revised article By Leslie Vernick at Christian Counselling
The following is the extended transcript of Marc Shields video, “7 Biblical Keys to Overcoming Witchcraft Attacks.” It explores seven biblical principles for standing firm in faith, drawing near to God, and responding to spiritual attacks through the truth of Scripture.
May this teaching encourage you in your walk with the Lord and help you grow in faith, wisdom, and peace. As Christians, we are called to be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16, NKJV). Hosea 4:6 (NKJV) reminds us, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” May we seek God’s wisdom, know His Word, and stand firm in faith rather than fear, remembering that ‘God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind’ (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV)
Many believers feel confused when facing spiritual opposition. The Bible teaches that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces. The good news is that God has not left us without understanding, protection, and authority in Christ. In this video, we look at 7 biblical keys that help believers stand firm, walk in freedom, and overcome every attack of the enemy.
Scripture tells us:
James 4:7 (NKJV): “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
Victory does not come through fear, but through truth, alignment with God, and understanding His Word.
If you have ever wondered:
Can spiritual attacks affect Christians?
How should believers respond biblically?
What does Scripture teach about overcoming the enemy?
How do we walk in peace even when under pressure?
This teaching will help bring clarity and encouragement.
Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
Our Victory Is in Christ
Colossians 2:14–15 (NKJV):
“Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.”
1. Draw Near to God
Many Christians today feel afraid of witchcraft. But the Bible doesn’t tell us to be afraid. It tells us exactly how to overcome it. And a witchcraft attack is often a sign that you’re coming into a victory. And the enemy is attacking you because he’s afraid of you. He remembers the promise that Jesus gave us. The gates of hell will not prevail against his church.
Today I want to show you seven clear biblical steps to overcoming any witchcraft attack so that you can come out victorious and step on to your promised land. We Christians, are constantly fighting a spiritual war. So the fact that you’re under attack is not a sign that the witchcraft is working. It just means you’re in a war.
So number one, draw near to God. First thing you do under witchcraft attack, is draw near to God.
Very difficult to draw near to God when you’re under witchcraft attack, because what they are using is a demonic altar which has been opened, witches and warlocks are levying demonic spirits against you so that you come into agreement with them. Spirits of frustration, anger, fear, worry, depression, and they’re all opposite to the spirits of God. And what they’re going to do is they’re going to try and pull you out of alignment with God and bring you away from him.
Why? Just like a wolf would try and separate a lamb from the sheep, the enemy wants to isolate you from God so that he can attack you and destroy you. So it’s really important when you’re feeling this heaviness from these attacks is actually draw close to God. And the first thing you can do is just start praying. Just open your mouth and start speaking to God what’s on your mind.
“Lord God, I’m feeling tired. Help me to overcome this.”
Open your mouth and declare his praises. Put worship music on. You might not feel close to God, but if you take the step of faith, the scripture says, “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.”
James 4:8 (NKJV):
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
Put on the worship music, worship, pray out loud, and open your Bible. Read the scripture out loud. All this will draw you near to God. And that will draw God near to you.
Psalm 46:1–2 (NKJV):
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;”
The enemy doesn’t like to be in proximity to God. And the more you align yourself with God, the more closer you get to God, the more you’re going to be filled up with light and the less the enemy is going to want to be close to you and attack you.
2. Resist the Devil
Number two, resist the devil.
James 4:7 (NKJV):
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
Witchcraft is not something we submit to. It’s something we resist. We actively resist it. The only way these spirits can land, is if they have an agreement.
What does that mean? They levy a spirit of tiredness and lethargy against you. Well, the automatic response is to come into agreement. “Oh, I feel so tired. Why am I so tired? I’ll go and have a little lay down. I’ll watch some TV. I will doom scroll. I will have a beer.” I’ll do anything to help me get out of this feeling. But what you’re doing is actually coming into agreement with the spirit itself.
Scripture says, “Resist the devil.” If a spirit of tiredness, of lethargy is levied against you, go for a run. If a spirit of sadness comes over you, watch comedy movies. If a spirit of confusion comes over you, declare the truth of God. Whatever the spirit is, come against it in the opposite spirit.
Ephesians 6:11–12 (NKJV):
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
Any spirit that’s levied against you from witchcraft will be the opposite of the Holy Spirit, which is what? Love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, self-control.
Darkness cannot stay where the fruit of the Holy Spirit is.
3. Do Not Fear
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV):
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
The opposite to fear is trust in God. It’s faith in what God’s done in you. And so, I want to say to everyone watching this, God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and sound mind.
A lot of witchcraft is levied against the mind. You start thinking thoughts that you otherwise wouldn’t feel. You start feeling attractions to women or men that you shouldn’t feel. You start thinking frustrating things like life’s never going to work out well. All these are lies from the enemy.
When you’re feeling fearful, the source of that fear is not God. It’s a spirit that is attacking you. A spirit of fear. Do not come into agreement with it.
When I get woken up, sometimes by bad dreams or demonic spirits, I get up and I just imagine Psalm 23 that says he sets a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
Psalm 23:5 (NKJV):
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.”
So you might feel demonic presence, but just sit down at the table with the Lord. Speak to your savior, enjoy his company, and then just go back to bed.
Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV):
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and sound mind. Declare that over yourself if you’re suffering with fear.
4. Perfect Love Casts Out All Fear
And number four, perfect love casts out all fear.
So a lot of witchcraft is levied through people. It’s people coming into agreement with spirits at an altar and they’re naming you at that altar. They’re creating sacrifices at an altar to supercharge spirits to attack you.
Now, when you find out who the people are, doing this to you, it can create a lot of anger, resentment, and bitterness towards these people. It’s exactly what the enemy wants for your heart to be like, full of these things! Because bitterness, resentment, and anger will give a place for those spirits to land. So, we need to be careful not to pray retaliatory prayers.
A lot of people point to the Psalms and say, “Well, David did this and Jeremiah did that.” Well, Jesus came and he says, “You have heard it said, hate your enemy and love your neighbor. But I say to you what? Pray for your enemy. Bless those who curse you.”
Matthew 5:43–44 (NKJV):
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,”
If you’re a Christian, you’re a follower of Jesus, we need to interpret everything in the scripture through the love of God. Why? Because perfect love casts out all fear.
When you align correctly with God, His love is able to flow through you. It just casts out all fear. There’s nowhere for the fear to land.
1 John 4:18 (NKJV):
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
5. Spirits Get Tired
It says in Matthew 12:43, “When an unclean spirit goes out of a person, it passes through dry places seeking rest.”
Whenever a spirit is without a home on this earth, and it’s just sent on assignment to attack you, it loses power from the moment it is released. And every time you’re under witchcraft attack, just remember there’s a time limit on this witchcraft attack.
We can speed up the time in the measure that we resist the devil using the rules of the spiritual realm. When you resist the devil, it actually flees. It doesn’t say resist the devil and he will leave you. It says resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Why? Because a lot of these demons are just one-dimensional. A spirit of fear, a spirit of anger, a spirit of frustration. Their whole personality is tied up in one mindset. And so in order for it to actually work on you, your mindset has to come into agreement with its mindset.
The moment you start resisting in the correct way, that spirit is going to tire. It doesn’t mean that it’s going to stop automatically, but over the coming days, it’s definitely going to get easier and easier, especially to the degree that you declare the truth of God, that you love your enemies.
Galatians 6:9 (NKJV):
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
Just remember, consistency matters because they’re going to try and keep levying these spirits against you. You need to keep coming against it. Consistency. Don’t tire.
Scripture says we will reap what we sow if we do not tire. If we do not grow weary, we will get to a point where we win.
6. Remove Evil People
“You will know them by their fruit.”
Matthew 7:16 (NKJV):
“You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?”
Witchcraft is always an agreement between spirits and a witchcraft practitioner. So, there’s always going to be a person involved. And often the reason that the witchcraft is working is because that person is actually in our midst…
I had a so-called friend of mine who was a warlock for seven years working against me. I’ve had other so-called friends working against me.
We as Christians often just want to get along. We want to love people. We don’t want to seem rude. But these evil people use this against us to destroy our lives.
If you’re feeling like you’re under witchcraft attack and it’s intense, it’s because someone in your vicinity is doing it against you. And they will use cursed food. They will use cursed gifts. They will use ideas so that you come into agreement with it. But they will be working to magnify the witchcraft against you.
So it’s very important to remove the wicked person from amongst you.
Scripture is very clear. If someone says they’re a believer but they are in habitual sin, we need to remove them from the church, but also it says don’t be unequally yolked with unbelievers. Don’t have long ongoing friendships with unbelievers.
It’s fine to have a friend that you go and visit now and again. Maybe you want to preach the gospel to them. Maybe there’s someone that you want to share with. But it’s not okay to have your ‘best friend’ as an unbeliever. Do not be unequally yolked with unbelievers. They’re going to have an influence on your spiritual walk, as you are not spiritually aligned.
2 Corinthians 6:14 (NKJV):
“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?”
Scripture is very clear. Remove the evil person from among you. They’re not adding to your calling. They’ve nothing to do with your calling. Remove the evil person from among you.
7. Pray with Knowledge
So you need to understand the moving parts in any witchcraft attack. There’s going to be a practitioner. There is going to be an altar. There is going to be demonic spirits. You need to harness the power that you have by following the rules.
If you’ve been under witchcraft for a long time, it’s time to fast.
When the disciples could not cast out a demon from a little boy, they said, “Why can’t we do it?” And Jesus says, “This type only goes through prayer and fasting.”
When you’re under witchcraft attack, you’re dealing with spirits. And if you’re dealing with a coven of witches, you’re talking sacrifices multiplied amongst people. Some of these spirits that they have levied against you, they’re going to be big spirits. And so, you need to go deep with God.
You need to fast and you need to pray correctly. Pray out loud with the scripture.
“No weapon formed against me will prosper.”
Isaiah 54:17 (NKJV):
“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the LORD.
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV):
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
“The same power that raised Christ Jesus from the resides in me.”
Romans 8:11 (NKJV):
“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”
And as you start reading and praying the scriptures out loud, the angels will back you up. Scripture says Psalm 103, the angels hearken to the voice of God.
Psalm 103:20 (NKJV):
“Bless the LORD, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word.”
You align your voice with the voice of God. The angels are going to gather. They’re going to fight that battle for you. They’re going to back you up, and it will all be over far sooner than you would have thought.
Philippians 4:6–7 (NKJV):
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Standing Firm in Faith During Halloween
First and foremost, Halloween is a satanic holiday rooted in pagan traditions and associated with witchcraft, occult practices, and the celebration of darkness. As Christians, we must not be deceived into treating these things as harmless fun when God’s Word warns us to reject the works of darkness. We are called to stand apart from the ways of the world and remain faithful to God’s truth.
Ephesians 5:11 (NKJV) says:
“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.”
We do not need to live in fear or become preoccupied with evil. Instead, we can draw closer to God, pray for our families, and let the character of Christ shine through us. Our faith rests in the light, authority, and victory of Jesus Christ.
1 John 4:4 (NKJV) reminds us:
“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
Let us respond with faith, discernment, and confidence in the Lord, holding fast to His truth.
I hope this helps you. God bless you, and we’ll see you on the next.
—————-
*** By Marc Ross Shields at Easter Island Ministries
FREE DOWNLOAD: Explore the Fruits of the Holy Spirit: Choosing the ‘Opposite’ chart for practical ways to reflect God’s character in everyday life.
Marc Ross Shields brings 17 years of personal experience in spiritual warfare, sharing insights that address an area often overlooked in churches. As Hosea 4:6 reminds us, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
“Our work is not manipulation and control, it’s prayer and trusting the Lord, and only to act because He’s leading us, not because we are trying to ‘fix’ somebody in our own power.”
“To be filled with the Holy Spirit is to have the Christian life that we are striving so much for just to “flow from us” in every area – having the clarity, the right word, the wisdom, boldness, peace, strength – every need just “flowing”. We have to seek the Lord with all our heart above everything else, and seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit – everyday, because every day has new needs.”
“One of the best things we can do for our own peace is to lift expectations off everyone else, looking to God alone.”
“Trying to control other people like this is like trying to force open a flower before it is ready to bloom. God’s way and His timing is better.”
Full Article
INTRODUCTION
I remember one time someone I knew was taking some very careless actions toward his own health, including disregarding doctor advice and refusing some important treatment. His wife was trying to convince him to change his mind, but he was resistant and set on following his own way, even though it was not good for him.
She was carrying a big weight of worry because he wouldn’t listen and she couldn’t convince him. But someone encouraged her with these words, “Don’t carry the guilt for this or his health, since he made his choice and is refusing, you are not responsible – you tried what you could. We are only called to peace. Now just pray, and leave it in God’s hands. That’s your job now, to pray.”
Later she said that this was the word that helped carry her through that situation.
And I was reminded that we have such burdens for others… and that means we want to help them, but we will find that we cannot control them. We can’t control others, but we can choose to lean on God, and pray, and place our trust for the others we are burdened for in His hands.
I see this attitude in Jesus and Paul and the apostles – they exhorted people, but after a certain point they left it to the Holy Spirit to do the work which they could not do in the flesh (John 16:12, Eph 1:15-18).
Jesus said to His disciples, “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth…” (John 16:12-13)
Paul said to the Ephesians, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened” (Ephesians 1:18)
The example I gave was regarding physical matters. But regarding spiritual matters, see how clearly Paul, and even Jesus didn’t think they could manipulate people and do a work in the hearts of others with their efforts and words apart from the Holy Spirit’s work.
Question: Why couldn’t Jesus and Paul just tell the disciples what they needed to hear? Why couldn’t they just explain it to them?
It’s because it’s a matter of LIFE in the heart, not INFORMATION in the mind. Spiritual life is inward, a matter of the will – dying to self, and gaining life in Jesus. Not a matter of “knowing more.” That’s why, for many, no matter how much truth is explained to them, they either don’t believe it or don’t care. Can you speak such great words that you can convince a dead person to get up and walk?! God has to do something that we can never do: give life; bring a change of heart to a person first.
In the parable of the sower the same seed was sown all over, but only on the good soil did it grow and endure (Mark 4:8). So much frustration can be avoided for the “sower” when we see that we cannot do the work. God Himself has to prepare a person’s heart (the soil) before any word can do any good.
Sometimes the work God does in a heart is through the breaking of a deep trial, sometimes through failure, sometimes through a revelation in some way, or witnessing the goodness of God and His love and kindness, or through the testimony of someone else’s life. Sometimes it’s a long work (like God did in Nebuchadnezzar to break him for 7 years), and sometimes just in a moment (like the thief on the cross). But either way – God has to do a work in the heart. It cannot be us. In the beginning – the Spirit was there, and God spoke, and then light and life came (Genesis 1:2-25). Where was man in all that? Nowhere!
So do we do nothing? No! We pray and TRUST GOD. And be patient. Our work is not manipulation and control, it’s prayer and trusting the Lord, and only to act because He’s leading us, not because we are trying to ‘fix’ somebody in our own power.
How many problems come because we try to compel and force people? Forcing them to change how we think they should, in the way we think. But Jesus was so trusting in the Father. He said that He preached to those who have “ears to hear” (Matthew 11:15). I believe Jesus emphasized that because He wasn’t trying in His own power (as a man) to do the work that He knew the Holy Spirit Himself had to do in the heart.
Hudson Taylor said: “I’ve learned to move man by prayer alone”.
We exhort people when needed, and urge people we care for, and plead with them – with love. But if they won’t receive it – we have to leave it in God’s hands rather than push and fight and control. God has called us to peace: “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men” (Romans 12:18)
A QUESTION
But I’ve found this question comes: “But what if I’m supposed to be doing something or saying something God wants me to do for their good? What if I’m missing something, or neglecting something?” And I’m frantic that I’m not doing things right – that they may miss out because I haven’t “done enough” to exhort them.
Here’s what the Lord has helped me with regarding this (I’ve struggled with this question a lot, personally):
The more we seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to put Him first and follow the Lord wholeheartedly – whatever I should speak or do for the sake of another one just flows out naturally, without any of the fretting and worrying “what should I do to move them?” “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness [in your own personal life] and the rest will be added to you.”
We often talk in the church of the necessity of being filled with the Holy Spirit, and it’s sometimes easy to feel like it’s some abstract, far off truth that we don’t understand and so we can’t imagine how it could change anything. This is so far from the truth! To be filled with the Holy Spirit is to have the Christian life that we are striving so much for just to “flow from us” in every area – having the clarity, the right word, the wisdom, boldness, peace, strength – every need just “flowing”. We have to seek the Lord with all our heart above everything else, and seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit – everyday, because every day has new needs.
The alternative is to labor in our own efforts, for our own will. A lot of what we think is good for someone, how do we even know what is good for them?! Constant badgering people is a form of trying to control them, nagging, complaining and arguing is a form of trying to control them, lashing in anger, giving a condescending look of disapproval and judgment, even sharing a Bible verse with the wrong spirit (condemnation, guilt, and threatening – rather than love) can be a form of trying to control them!
And all of this is the sin of unbelief on our part because we are trying to take situations into our own hands with others in our own way, rather than trusting God.
PERSONAL SITUATION – JUST TRUST GOD
One time I was talking to someone about the fear I had that another person would do something or cause something that would be very difficult. I was wondering, “What more should I do besides pray?” I asked a question to someone I trusted, “But what if this person does this?” And they said to me, “You need to TRUST the Lord.” It was so simple… but it was like my eyes were opened in 1 second – I saw that all of my thoughts and plans about all I needed to do and say, and fears of ‘What if’ were: a lack of faith. It was plain and simple unbelief.
LOVE
One of the best things we can do for our own peace is to lift expectations off everyone else, looking to God alone.
We can’t decide how they act or treat us, but we can by God’s grace decide to love them and treat them right. Not even just for their sake but more importantly for the glory of God –
“…if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.” (1 Peter 4:16)
We are living before His face alone, our business is mainly that He will get glory from our own life… placing no expectations that others have to change at all, but maintaining a hope for others that in God’s time, He will do the work. For those within the boundary of our authority (e.g. our children), we do have to labor to correct and guide them. But we have to follow the Spirit regarding what to say and how to interact… without being frantic and ‘exasperating’ them (Col 3:21), or ‘Lording it over’ them (1 Pet 5:3). This is not controlling people, this is a labor of love for their eternal good in Jesus.
MAYBE IT’S THE LORD’S WILL
Someone we know may be in sin or out of the Lord’s will. It may be affecting us, or others. Perhaps they won’t listen to anyone, and in that case we have to leave it. But from our point of view, regarding ourselves and any affect it has on us, we have to consider: “Maybe it’s the Lord’s will to allow this.”
Shimei threw rocks at David. David essentially said, “Maybe it’s the Lord’s will… so I will not fight” (2 Samuel 16:10).
For Shimei – definitely he was in sin. But for David – it was God’s will for him to endure that faithfully. God didn’t cause all the mess, but He allowed it, and David accepted it because of His faith – “God must be allowing this for a reason. Maybe it’s for me, that I need this.”
CONCLUSION
Whatever I write here I’m also working to encourage myself with God’s promises and His Word: Regarding the people we are burdened for (or burdened by!), we have to trust God. We do what we can from our part, but our hope completely has to lean on His ability, and not in our own endless efforts to force other people.
Trying to control other people like this is like trying to force open a flower before it is ready to bloom. God’s way and His timing is better.
And regarding the meantime, it’s a slavery to live life muddling through in discouragement and fear, concerning ourselves with what everyone else is doing or may do, feeling that we can never be happy in the Lord unless this other person changes. God wants us free from that. Seek the Lord to be delivered from that slavery!
One of the greatest lessons we can learn in this life before we leave this earth is that there is a fulfillment, joy and satisfaction in God and Christ alone, apart from anything else and anybody else (Psalm 73:25, Php 3:8) which is there for us to gain before Heaven.
Leave it to the Lord, and especially in His timing. Live before God’s face alone in humility, carrying your own cross and humbly accepting every person that He decides should be in your life, along with all the difficulties that may come through them, and patiently bearing the burdens you have for them (Eph 4:2).
Be patient. Place it in God’s hands and rest.
Even when you feel that you can do nothing (like you are ‘asleep’ in the situation), remember that God is still working:
“It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.” Psalms 127:2
In the second temptation in the wilderness, Satan said to Jesus, “If You’re the Son of God, why don’t You just throw Yourself down from the top of the temple and claim the promise of God?” (Matthew 4:6) He even quoted Psalm 91, “He will give his angels charge concerning you; in their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.”
In Matthew 4:7, Jesus replied, “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.” This is a very important principle. How does this apply in practical terms? Here the temptation to Jesus was to jump off the roof of the temple, claim the promise in Psalm 91, and descend to the courtyard of the temple unhurt so that people will see and exclaim, “Oh, what a great man of God! Look at His faith, how He claimed that promise and was not hurt.” And Jesus said, “I will not tempt God like that.” When there are stairs provided from the roof of the temple to go down, there is no need to jump off. The meaning of Jesus’s refusal is that we can use means that God has provided and not tempt God by asking Him to do something for us in some spectacular way.
For example, in Acts 8:39, we read of an instance where, after Philip had preached to the eunuch, the Holy Spirit snatched Philip up and transported him all the way to another place called as Azotus. The Holy Spirit gave him an airlift like a helicopter would today. Now, if you want to go from one place to another place, and you try to tempt God saying, “Do that for me Lord,” that is tempting God. If God has provided buses, trains, scooters, and airplanes, why do we need to ask the Holy Spirit to take us like that?
“God does certain things for certain people. He doesn’t perform every miracle for every believer.”
Another way to tempt God is to try and claim a promise so that I can perhaps testify later of a spectacular thing God did for me. For example, there are people who, when they are sick, say, “I am going to trust God to heal me even though medicines are available on the next street and there are doctors available to advise us. We do not use those doctors and those medicines.” And there are many foolish Christians who have died like that or allowed their children to die and their wives to die, because they try to claim a promise that “the Lord is my Healer, and so I don’t need medicine.” When God has provided stairs in the temple, He expects you to use them instead of trying to jump off the roof and claiming Psalm 91. Similarly, when God has provided medicines, He expects you to use them and not foolishly claim some promise that the Lord will heal you. It is as foolish as trying to ask the Lord to transport you from one place to another like He did with Philip.
We also must remember that God does certain things for certain people. He does not perform every miracle for every believer. We need to be very careful in studying the Scriptures that we are not trying to do something spectacular in order to get some honor for ourselves. The desire for honor from men is so deeply rooted in our flesh, but sometimes we are not even aware of it. It is one of the great things that Jesus taught His disciples to battle against. Here the basic temptation was to get honor, to claim God’s promise and descend unhurt to the courtyard of the temple and people will acclaim you.
But the temptation can come in less spectacular ways, too. Jesus said in Matthew 6, “When you pray, do not pray in such a way as to get honor from the men who are listening to you praying, and do not fast and inform everybody how many days you’ve fasted for.” If you do that, it is to get honor. He also said, “When you give, do not let anybody know what you gave.” Yet many Christians have disobeyed these commands, seeking honor and tempting God.
