The more opportunities I have to talk in-depth with people, the more I realize something John Eldredge said in “Waking The Dead” is true: The Enemy will always try to get you to do to someone what he is doing to that person.

If you struggle with fear, he’ll use people in your life to frighten you.

If you struggle with shame, he’ll use people in your life to add to your shame.

If you struggle with abandonment, he’ll use people in your life to abandon you.

The list is infinite.

Oh, the ways we struggle…and the ways we are attacked.

We must be aware of our struggles. And we must be able to distinguish the Voice of Truth from that of the Enemy. The Enemy is great at disguising his attacks with religious chatter.

If something or someone makes you fearful, ashamed, anxious, jealous, condemned, alone, you must know those are attacks from the Enemy. Those feelings are not from God! God’s love is full of grace, mercy, truth and patience.

I spoke with someone recently who said, I can’t tell the difference between condemnation and conviction. Since then, I’ve been thinking about that statement. After some studying, here is what I’ve learned:

Holy Spirit convicts {to show to be wrong} the unrighteous {or, for lack of a better word, the lost}. It’s so important to understand that Holy Spirit guides Christ-followers into truth, and only speaks to us what He hears from the Father, who is Love. Remember the fruit of the Spirit? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. That’s the truth into which Holy Spirit leads us. Anything else is an attack of condemnation from the Enemy.

When we know the truth of who God is and that He only acts out of His love for us, we can discern the lies and attacks of the Enemy. We are then able to live in freedom.

Next time something or someone makes you feel ashamed, fearful, jealous, lonely, etc., remind yourself that you under attack. God is not condemning you! Ask Holy Spirit to guide you into the truth of who God is.