The Devil's Compliment

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.—Luke 22:31

Satan does not have a sympathetic or considerate bone in his body. He doesn't back off or give one a break in times of stress or serious problems. His 'sifter' is set in motion to destroy or defame the children of God.

I doubt you are grist for his mill if you are an unfaithful, careless saved person. The non-tither, the no-time-for-the-Bible-and-prayer kind of Christian. 

If you ever find yourself in the Devil's sifter, take it as a compliment. He is concerned enough about you and your life to go after you with a vengeance. Remember, the more seriously you take God and His work, the more seriously the Devil will take you.

No true Christian is fool enough to desire a few shakes in Satan's sifter. But if you find yourself there, please recall what Jesus said to Peter - "But I have prayed for thee." Grateful am I that "he ever liveth to make intercession". Though troubles and trials come from the hand of our enemy, take hope. Christ Jesus is there to deliver and sustain amidst the fiery trials.

The Believer's Actions During Trials

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath."—James 1:19

During trials, the believer is given three admonitions. These admonitions are good for all Christians at all times, whether or not in the midst of trials. However, they are especially given for those enduring trials.

1. Be Swift to Hear.

The first thing we need to hear is the Word of God. There is nothing more important for anyone—especially people in trials—than the blessed, unchanging Word of God.

Next, we need be swift to hear the counsel of other good Christians. Sometimes, in the midst of trials, our minds get foggy; and if we're not careful, Satan will confuse us. Sometimes we need counsel from other Christians.

2. Be Slow to Speak.

In the midst of trials, especially if they're what we consider serious trials, we may find ourselves wanting to pour out all our thoughts and feelings. Thus we must restrain this inclination. No one ever learns anything while talking.

Another reason to be slow to speak during trials is that sometimes we may be in so much pain we might say things we shouldn't say.

3. Be Slow to Wrath.

The order in Ephesians 4:31-32 is: 

Bitterness

Wrath

Anger

Clamor

Evil Speaking

Malice

Anger is like throwing gasoline on the fire. That's when wrath bursts into flames. Following anger comes clamor. That's an outburst- hollering and screaming. That is followed by evil speaking, which is followed by malice. Evil speaking means saying things that are designed to hurt people. Finally, malice is the desire to hurt someone physically. So you see what wrath, if not dealt with, can lead to.

We must guard against wrath when we're undergoing trials or suffering!

—taken from 'Responding Properly to Trials' by Dr. Curtis Hutson.

The Believer's Proper Attitude Toward God During Times of Trials

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."—James 1:2-4

Verses 12 through 18 emphasize the believer's proper attitude toward God during the times of trial. 

According to Jesus in Matthew 22:37, the greatest commandment is to "love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." If to love the Lord is the greatest commandment, then the greatest sin is not to love the Lord the way we should.

In the midst of our trials, there are many temptations. Some say, I have served God all these years. Why is this happening to me? Satan may make us wonder if it pays to serve God. He will call our attention to some wicked person and remind us that that person never served the Lord. He'll try to get us to become bitter, hard, angry, or he may try to get us to turn against God altogether.

God never varies. He's the same yesterday, today and forever. Malachi 3:6 says, "I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." If God changed, He would have to get worse or improve. If he improved, that would mean He was not perfect before; and if He got worse, it would mean He is no longer perfect.

In times of trials, we must keep loving God. And we must realize that the temptation to evil during such times is not from God but from Satan himself.

—taken from 'Responding Properly to Trials' by Dr. Curtis Hutson