Spiritual warfare

Understanding Spiritual Tests and Grace Growers

~ Observant Servant

Life is full of challenging people and situations that test our faith and character. These “grace growers” are opportunities for spiritual development, though they often come wrapped in difficult packages.

What Are Grace Growers?

Grace growers are the people and situations God uses to develop our spiritual maturity. Like a rose with thorns, there may be beauty inside but getting through the tough exterior requires love and patience.

Understanding Spiritual Warfare

A key scripture for dealing with difficult people is Ephesians 6:12: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age.” When we understand that spirits are operating through people, it becomes easier to forgive and respond in love rather than take offense.

How Do We Grow Spiritually?

There is no spiritual growth apart from Jesus Christ. We must:Stay connected to the vine (Jesus) Be willing to step out in faith Grow through trials rather than just enduring them Pass spiritual tests Learn from challenges rather than complaining

Where Do We Find Grace Growers?

Grace growers can be found everywhere:Telemarketers Bill collectors Churches Family members Workplace Schools Politics

How Should We Respond to Grace Growers?

The key is responding with the fruit of the Spirit rather than reacting in the flesh:Love Joy Peace Patience Kindness Goodness Faithfulness Gentleness Self-control

Setting Healthy Boundaries

While we should respond with love, it’s important to:Set clear expectations Avoid enabling negative behavior Be willing to separate if needed Practice saying “no” Maintain healthy boundaries without building walls

Life Application

This week, challenge yourself to: Identify the “grace growers” in your life Practice responding with love rather than taking offense Look for opportunities to grow through difficult situations Set healthy boundaries while maintaining a loving attitude

Ask yourself: How do I typically respond to difficult people? Am I growing through challenges or just enduring them? Where do I need to set better boundaries while still showing love? What spiritual tests might God be using to develop my character?

Remember: Every grace grower is an opportunity for spiritual growth when we respond with God’s love and wisdom rather than our natural reactions.

God’s Gift of Hate

~ Observant Servant

When I became a Christian, my circle of secular friends was completely uprooted and replaced with Christian friends.

For me, that was to be expected.

When I started going through and talking about deliverance, my circle of Christian friends shrunk considerably and some of the very same Christian friends suddenly didn’t feel comfortable around me anymore. They didn’t want to talk to me. Conversations with many of these believers suddenly became awkward and there was a noticeable level of avoidance.

I didn’t expect that.

One thing I will say, this is worth the cost. It is well worth the cost to become a disciple of Jesus. And it is absolutely worth the cost to be on the front lines of spiritual warfare.

I was looking at some old notes that I took when I was first born again. I didn’t have a church at the time so all of my learning came from just reading the bible and watching hours and hours of sermons on a daily basis. (I was unemployed so I could do this easily.) I realized from the notes I took that Jesus was trying to show me about deliverance although I didn’t really understand it at the time. And when I did finally get involved with a church, I was warned against watching this particular minister so I stopped because I assumed that they knew best. But I realize now that back then the Holy Spirit was using this minister to show me that I still needed deliverance. The enemy had used Christians to keep me from fighting!

This revelation has fanned a flame inside me.
I realized that I hate the enemy so much for what he tricked me into, for what happened to me at the hands of others before I was saved, and for the way he used Christians to make me question everything after I was born again. I hate that my deliverance was delayed. I hate him with a passion. I hate what I see him doing to other Christians. I hate what I see him doing in to the church and how everywhere I look, churches are compromising to please the masses. I hate what I see him doing to the lost. I hate the way I see him using people to hurt one another. I mean, I have seen it before obviously but I feel like I am seeing it with new eyes and with greater understanding. I am so angry at him. I hate him so much.

This is a righteous hatred. A glorious gift to have in your battle against the enemy. A Godly hate.

“These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him, A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” -Proverbs 6:16-19

It is important to hate the enemy. Hate produces a fight in you. It motivates you. It empowers you. It is a God-given tool against the enemy. If you don’t hate what the enemy is doing to you and has done to you, you are weak. You are a child of King of kings. An heir. A knight in the Lord’s army. A warrior. Pray to the Lord to give you the gift of hate.