3 Ways to Recognize and Silence the Real Devil

Debbie W. Wilson's blog is about refreshing faith. It's full of positive counsel to grow in hope and spiritual maturity. She recognizes some of the struggles in the walk of faith, like dealing with a very real devil. In this Discernment UPGRADE, Debbie shares three ways to deal with the devil's attacks—to stop him in his tracks!

"On Halloween, horned devils and gruesome looking goblins may show up at your door asking for treats," she said. "However, the real devil is much more subtle—and dangerous."

I (Dawn) think the scary thing is that—even though people wear red horns and costumes of what they mistakenly think the devil looks like—so many people don't believe the devil is real! How do we silence the devil if we don't believe he exists? Debbie has some profound thoughts here.    

Debbie continues . . .

For several weeks the thought that an answer I’d given at Bible study had misled and confused my friend taunted me. I hadn’t seen her to address it.

Over mugs of steaming tea, I asked, “Can I ask you about the question you raised in Bible study?”

Her brown eyes widened. “What question? I don’t remember a question.”

I’d worried my answer to my friend’s question had led to an inaccurate understanding of the topic. Her response showed I’d been duped by our spiritual enemy’s lies and accusations—again.

The Bible describes our spiritual enemy, the devil, as a roaring lion that prowls around looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). He is “the accuser of our brothers and sisters” (Revelation 12:10).

Are you familiar with his accusations?

Satan also sows seeds of fear and doubt.

After a medical appointment, I mentioned to my husband what the nurse had said in passing that had left me feeling discouraged.

“That sounds like a poisonous dart,” he said.

“Reading through the Gospel of Mark, I’ve noticed that the first thing Jesus does when He meets someone tormented by demons is to tell the demons, ‘Be quiet.’”

The enemy had used this woman’s medical position to give her words power they didn’t deserve.

So how do we protect ourselves from the devil’s arrows?

Dealing with the Real Devil's Attacks

1. Stay Alert!

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8 NLT).

Copperheads live in our area. When I’m outside during warm months, I look where I’m gardening and where my dogs walk. Like copperheads, Satan blends in with otherwise safe and normal surroundings.

Knowing he is there should make us alert, not afraid.

Notice how Peter describes our enemy:

• He prowls: my computer dictionary defines this as, “move around restlessly and stealthily, especially in search of … prey.”
  • He slips in when we are weary or our defenses are down, like when we are in so-called safe places—like Bible study or a doctor’s appointment.
• Roaring: Lions roar to paralyze and intimidate their prey. 
  • I read that a lion’s intimidating roar can be heard up to 5 miles away. Their roars scare off hyenas and send fear through those they hunt. Lions that are too weak to hunt roar to scare off would-be attackers.
• Looking for someone to devour: 
  • The devil is always looking for opportunities to pounce. His goal is to destroy—our faith, joy, peace, fruitfulness, and relationships.

2. Be Discerning

Satan masquerades as an angel of light, pretending to offer correction. Yet, Satan just accuses and condemns.

While Satan hurls vague accusations of guilt and shame and offers no constructive steps to change, Jesus is our advocate.

The Holy Spirit’s correction is always specific, clear, and empowering (2 Corinthians 7:10). The Holy Spirit never shames you.

When we are in a spiritual battle, other believers can help us find truth. Let a trusting believer know your battle.

My husband’s insight exposed the dart and freed me.

3. Follow Jesus’s Example

If a fear or accusation continues to taunt you after you’ve confessed it, you are dealing with one of Satan’s fiery arrows.

If you feel guilty but have no clear wrong to confess, use your delegated authority (Ephesians 1:18-23) and follow Jesus’s example.

Tell the accuser, “Be quiet” (Mark 1:25).

I’d like to hear your insights. What helps you recognize and stop the real devil’s attacks?

Debbie W. Wilson is an award-winning author, Bible teacher, and former Christian counselor who speaks and writes to connect fellow sojourners to the heart of Christ. She and her husband lead Lighthouse Ministries, a non-profit Christian counseling and Bible teaching ministry. Despite time in Boston, the Midwest, and Southern California, Debbie still says y’all. Her family, which includes two grown children and two mischievous standard poodles, calls North Carolina home. Connect with Debbie, find free resources, and learn about her books, including her new release Little Strength, Big God at debbieWwilson.com.

Graphic adapted: Courtesy of Mikhail Nilov at Pexels.

Does Jesus Still Heal Today?

Debbie W. Wilson, a Bible teacher and former counselor, has helped many women find victory in life's battles. But what happens when the battle is health? Is there anything the believer can do? In this Practical Theology UPGRADE, Debbie answers the question with two examples and solid scriptural counsel.  "Have you ever wondered," she asks, "if Jesus heals today?"

This is a question I (Dawn) considered early in my cancer diagnosis. My conclusions, like Debbie's, brought me greater understanding, peace, and abiding joy. 

Debbie continues . . . 

In the Gospels, Jesus initiated healing for some and healed others because they asked. Some were healed with just a word; others had to participate in their healing, such as wash in a pool or pick up their mat and walk.

But what about today? Does Jesus heal today?

God healed my father-in-law from chronic back problems in an instant.

He was working late in his small grocery store one night when an inexplicable current zinged down his spine. His back pain vanished. He bent and twisted without the usual pain. For the ultimate test, he strode over to the meat lock

Ed Wilson’s healing didn’t come in response to a healing service, but it did follow an extraordinary act of obedience.

Grocery stores make more profit from non-perishable items than from perishable food. Cigarette sales generated significant income for his small store and took up relatively little space. Before the FDA warning on cigarettes, a conviction grew in him not to sell cigarettes anymore.

People thought he was crazy. But he couldn’t shake the conviction.

Instead of letting the cigarettes run out, one night he loaded his store’s supply and took them out into the Arizona desert to burn them.

My husband never forgot how sick the family was the next day—or his father’s sacrificial act of obedience.

The next week God healed Ed’s back.

Should We Ask for Healing?

The Bible tells us to pray for healing.

“Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 

"And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:14-16 NIV). 

Last week, our Bible study gathered around our sister to pray.

Before we prayed, I read and discussed James’s instructions.

1. “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call.”

The sick person had asked for prayer.

2. “Call the elders of the church to pray over them.”

The church is not a building but a body of believers—“the called-out ones.” The Bible calls believers a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9).

We have the authority to pray for one another.

Paul reminds us there is neither Jew or Greek (not based on ethnicity or physical birth); nor slave or free (not based on socio-economic standing); nor male or female (not based on gender) (Galatians 3:28). We are one in Christ Jesus.

3. “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

Righteous means we have right standing before God. This is based on what Christ has done, not on our worthiness.

Faith in Jesus make us righteous and produces a desire to please Him in our actions.

4. “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”

We bowed our heads quietly and asked the Lord to search our hearts so that we could come before Him with clean hearts (1 John 1:9).

5. “Pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.”
.
Oil, in the Bible, often symbolizes the Holy Spirit.

“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty” (Zechariah 4:6 NIV).

Humans don’t have the power to heal, but nothing is impossible with God.

I anointed our sister with a small amount of Frankincense oil on her forehead and wrists, and quoted Isaiah 53:5: “by his wounds we are healed” (NIV).

6. “And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.”

We gathered around her and prayed over her in Jesus’ name.

Our sister prayed too. She thanked God for her healing.

Whether here or in heaven, she WOULD be healed.

We ended singing, “Amen, amen….”

None of us will forget that holy moment when our prayers and tears mingled as the presence of the Holy Spirit poured over our sister.

Jesus heard us, and we trust Him to do more than we can ask or imagine.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20 NIV).

If Jesus didn’t still heal today, would the Bible tell the sick person to ask for prayers?

Debbie W. Wilson is an award-winning author, Bible teacher, and former Christian counselor who speaks and writes to connect fellow sojourners to the heart of Christ. Learn more about her books, connect with Debbie, and find free resources at debbieWwilson.com.

Graphic adapted, original photo courtesy of Canva.

Five Ways to Speak God's Love Language

Debbie W. Wilson always has a fresh perspective on familiar Christian truth. In this Relationship with God UPGRADE, she reminds us that there are ways we can learn to "speak God's love language."

Debbie says, “My husband doesn’t show me love,” the distraught woman who sat before me complained.

I (Dawn) think that nearly every married woman has thought that from time to time. We just want more and more love—and not only from a spouse! But remember, when we "speak" someone's love language, it isn't always with words.

Debbie continues . . .

This woman’s husband provided for her financially, maintained her car without being asked, vacuumed the house, and cleaned up after supper. But she longed for quality time and deep conversations.

Because acts of service were not her love language, this woman had overlooked her husband’s demonstrations of love.

A hunger to express and experience love runs through the human DNA.

Considering this made me wonder if that need extends to our relationship with God. If so, what are some ways to enhance this love relationship? Does God have a love language?

Hebrews 11:6 says faith is God’s love language.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (NIV).

Did you catch the reciprocal nature of faith as described in this verse? Those who believe in God also believe God rewards them for seeking Him.

Loving Jesus enables us to receive His love. John 14:21 says,

“Those who love me will have my Father’s love, and I, too, will love them and show myself to them” (GW).

Let’s look at ways to enhance our love relationship with God.

5 Ways to Speak God’s Love Language

1. Pray

Prayer demonstrates a relationship with God and faith that He is good.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened… Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matt. 7:7-11 NIV).

2. Demonstrate Trust through Thanksgiving

Gratitude demonstrates faith in God’s goodness and sovereignty. It shows I believe He is bigger than my mistakes and the wrongs I’ve endured (Rom. 8:28).

Faith allows me to pray with thanksgiving before I see God’s answer (Phil. 4:6-8).

A large ministry fired an honorable young man without cause. His mother wrestled with God over this betrayal. Before the year was out, a scandal hit the press concerning those who’d mistreated her son.

“God spared my son,” she said. “And I’d thought He’d forgotten him.”

“Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this” (1 Thes. 5:18 GW).

3. Worship

Worship shows we believe He is worthy of our devotion and reminds us He’s bigger than anything clamoring for our time and attention.

“Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything” (Ps. 46:10 The Message).

4. Obey

Obedience demonstrates love and faith (Jn. 14:15-16).

“Whoever knows and obeys my commandments is the person who loves me” (Jn. 14:21 GW).

“In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome” (1 Jn. 5:3 NIV).

5. Live Clean

Receiving and appreciating our forgiveness shows faith in Jesus and increases our love for Him (1 Jn. 1:9, Titus 2:14).

“I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love” (Luke 7:47 NLT).

Through faith we express our love to God and experience His love in return.

Every step we take in faith causes God’s heart to sing. 

Does your relationship with God need a boost? Consider the list above. Which one needs your attention?

Debbie W. Wilson, Bible teacher and former biblical counselor, combines insight and encouragement to inspire people to trust Christ with their lives. Her books include Little Faith, Big God, Little Women, Big God, and Give Yourself a Break. She and her husband Larry founded Lighthouse Ministries, a nonprofit biblical counseling and Bible study ministry. Debbie enjoys dark chocolate, a good mystery, and the antics of her two standard poodles. Find free resources and connect with Debbie at RefreshingFaith.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Kalhh at Pixabay.

7 Powerful Ways Gentleness Benefits You

Debbie W. Wilson is an encourager, faithfully pointing readers to the powerful and refreshing Word of God. In this Character UPGRADE, Debbie explores gentleness and how it not only honors God, but benefits us in powerful ways.

"Do you value gentleness or view it as weakness?" Debbie asks. "Some people think volume and coarseness show strength. The Bible teaches the opposite"

I (Dawn) have never had much of a problem with gentleness . . . or so I thought. Reading Debbie's post, I realized I've seldom been gentle with myself. Others are far from gentle with others. In whatever way we struggle with gentleness, this is enlightening.

Debbie continues . . .

Gentleness is powerful. Are you gentle?

How do you treat your weaknesses?

• Do you chastise yourself when you fall short of your standards or impose stringent disciplines to overcome your weaknesses?
• Or, do you treat yourself with compassion?

How do you treat those who disappoint you, are caught in sin, or don’t share your views?

• Do you raise your voice and pound the table to hold their attention?
• Do you hope to win them through quarreling or intimidation?

Using gentleness to combat sin and weakness may seem counterintuitive. Yet, it can change a king’s heart and break a bone.

It may not be your natural response, but this supernatural choice carries divine power.

The Gifts of Gentleness

1. Gentleness helps us experience Jesus.

Gentleness is powerful because it is godly.

Jesus describes Himself as gentle. When we're gentle with ourselves and with others, we represent and experience Him.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart (Matthew 11:29 NIV).

Consider how you talk to yourself. Are you kind? Do you allow time for rest, room for growth, and grace for mistakes?

Your gentleness makes me great (Psalm 18:35 GW).

2. Gentleness moves hearts.

Gentleness is more powerful than yelling, arguing, or using harsh discipline.

A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare (Proverbs 15:1 NLT

Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone (Proverbs 25:15 NIV).

3. Gentleness helps restore those who’ve fallen away.

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path (Galatians 6:1 NLT).

4. Gentleness empowers speech.

With gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 2:25 NASB).

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15 NIV).

5. Gentleness reveals wisdom.

Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom (James 3:13 NASB).

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others (James 3:17 NLT).

6. Gentleness empowers godly leadership.

He [a church leader] must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money (1 Timothy 3:3 NLT).

7. Gentleness is beautiful and precious to God.

Beauty expresses itself in a gentle and quiet attitude which God considers precious (1 Peter 3:4 GW).

What if I'm Not Naturally Gentle?

We can't manufacture a gentle spirit. However, as we surrender each aspect of our lives to God, His Spirit fills and empowers us to look like Jesus (Galatians 5:16).

We ask Him to fill us, and then by faith, we live as His Word instructs.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: ... gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT).

As holy people whom God has chosen and loved, be sympathetic, kind, humble, gentle, and patient (Colossians 3:12 GW).

Let your gentleness be evident to all (Philippians 4:5 NIV).

Be humble and gentle in every way (Ephesians 4:2 GW).

Have you experienced the power of gentleness extended either to you or by you? What is your favorite verse or story showing the power of gentleness?

Debbie W. Wilson, Bible teacher and former biblical counselor, combines insight and encouragement to inspire people to trust Christ with their lives. Her books include Little Faith, Big God, Little Women, Big God, and Give Yourself a Break. She and her husband Larry founded Lighthouse Ministries, a nonprofit biblical counseling and Bible study ministry. Debbie enjoys dark chocolate, a good mystery, and the antics of her two standard poodles. Find free resources and connect with Debbie at RefreshingFaith.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesty of Olivia Snow at Freely Photos.

How to Replace the What-Ifs of Fear

Debbie W. Wilson, a practical Bible teacher and counselor, continually points people to the "big God" she serves—the God who is always with us. In this Attitudes UPGRADE, she answers our what-ifs with biblical steps to become less fearful.

Debbie asks, "Have you ever been fearful over what might happen—to you, your child, your spouse, your country, or yourself?"

I (Dawn) am not normally a fearful person. Ok, strike that. I'm unreasonably afraid of house fires and snakes. And maybe empty grocery shelves.

What does the Bible teach us about our what-ifs of fear?

Debbie continues . . .

Most of my concerns fall into the what-if category.

Maybe you can relate to some I’ve felt or heard.

• What if I lose my job?
• What if my symptoms signal something major?
• What if our economy collapses?
• What if my prodigal never comes back?
• What if my husband can no longer work?

Do what-ifs steal your peace? Have you considered the influence of the little word “if”? An “if” in the wrong place undercuts peace and joy.

Too often I’ve allowed a what-if or an if-only to rob me. 

But there is another kind of what-if that empowers.

3 Steps to Becoming Less Fearful

1. Obey God’s Word.

Jesus told us not to worry about what to wear, what to eat, and what to drink. He concluded with, “So do not worry about tomorrow” (Matthew 6:34).

Paul said, “Don’t worry about anything” (Philippians 4:6).

What would happen if we obeyed Christ’s words?

Adam and Eve provide a vivid picture of what happens when we don’t obey God.

The forbidden fruit didn’t look harmful to the couple, but God knew the pain it would cause. Like catching a deadly virus, the poison began to multiply within them the moment they disobeyed God. The repercussions exploded over time.

If Adam and Eve had obeyed God there would be no COVID, no riots, no wars, and no death. We can’t fathom the ripple effect of disobedience.

When we disobey God, our peace, joy, and relationships suffer.

When Jesus says don’t worry, trust Him, He knows best.

When we treat Christ’s words as sacred commands we say, “I will trust you, even if I don’t feel like it. Even if not worrying makes no sense to me.”

2. Stop the Scent of Fear.

When my husband and I visited Yosemite National Park, videos and signs sprinkled throughout the park warned tourists that bears are attracted to the smell of food.

We locked up not only our food, but also lip gloss and anything that smelled like food. Otherwise bears might attack our car or cabin.

Satan smells worry and comes after you the same way bears follow the scent of food. Learn to cast your cares on Christ.

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:7-8).

3. Choose Healthy What-ifs.

Instead of focusing on the negative what-ifs,” fix your thoughts on the Lord. Dread disappointing Him instead of what you fear.

Try these substitutes.

• What if God is for me?
• What if He is trustworthy?
• What if God uses this for our good—like He promised?
• What if He’s worthy of my worship and obedience?
• What if God is bigger than my fears and imaginations?

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego chose to worship God even if it meant enduring the worst they could imagine. Enraged at their defiance, King Nebuchadnezzar had them thrown into a fiery furnace that was so hot the men who threw them in died instantly.

But, when King Nebuchadnezzar looked into the fire, he leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?"

They replied, "Certainly, Your Majesty."

He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods” (Daniel 3:24-25).

King Nebuchadnezzar SAW the preincarnate Christ in the fire with the three Hebrews.

But Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego EXPERIENCED Christ. He was their sanctuary in the fire.

Jesus never promised we wouldn’t go through trials. He promised to never leave us.

When we remember His character and focus on trusting and obeying Him, we shed the bothersome what-ifs and enjoy EVEN IF peace.

Can you identify a what-if you need to give to the Lord today?

Debbie W. Wilson is an ordinary woman with an extraordinary God. Drawing from her personal walk with Christ, twenty-four years as a Christian counselor, and decades as a Bible teacher, Debbie speaks and writes to connect sojourners to the heart of Christ. Despite time in Boston, the Midwest, and Southern California, she still says y’all. Her family, which includes two mischievous standard poodles, calls North Carolina home. Look for the release of her latest book, Little Strength, Big God, August 2022. Find free resources and connect with Debbie at debbieWwilson.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Mart Production at Pexels.