Scripture
And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.” Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.” -Luke 22:31-34
Beloved, have you ever noticed that when you confess something for the Kingdom, things seem to get worse? Whether you confess that you are no longer wavering in your faith or even if you proclaim victory over a situation, things get progressively worse. I've even heard some believers say that life seemed easier before they got saved. I walk in close fellowship with the Father, and I'm always confessing my submission to the Trinity. I confess daily that I submit to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. I intentionally tell God that my whole heart belongs to Him and that I present my body as a living sacrifice unto Him. Do you know what happens to me? For as much as I confess these things, I am tested to see if my confession is valid. At one point, I couldn't understand why trials persisted in my life, and I would find myself in situations that literally tested my loyalty to God. I was beginning to think something was wrong with my walk before the Lord. Actually, Beloved, my confessions were and continue to be tested. When we make confessions, the enemy tests and tempts us to see if our confession is real. Jesus knew that Peter was going to confess, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.”. He also knew that Satan had asked God to sift Him as wheat; therefore, He told Him that He would pray that Peter's faith would not fail. God allows the testing of our confession.
I learned that no matter the faith I have, the test will prove it. Our confessions must be tested, Beloved. Oftentimes, we believe we are being punished or that our faith is weak. This is not always the case in our Christian life. Tempting and testing will accompany us in our walk with the Lord. They are necessary because they show us where we are in our faith walk, but when we overcome, we spiritually grow and mature. A very influential pastor once said, "Your faith is only as strong as the test it survives." Our confessions and declarations about who we are in God, what He's going to do through us, and what He'll do for us will attract tests. Our job is to pass the tests and overcome the temptations.
Jesus was warning Peter of the spiritual battle that he was unaware of. There are spiritual realities that we are not aware of as well, but our ignorance does not mean they cease to exist. Satan does not care that you are ignorant of his schemes, temptations, and testing. Once he is granted permission to touch your life, he will do it. We are to apply the scriptures during the times of great testing. We are to pray without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17) and declare the Word of God over the situation (Matthew 4:1-11). Beloved, pay attention to what you're facing today. Your circumstances are not random. Heed Jesus' warning to Peter and be comforted knowing that He is praying that your faith fail you not. Now that you've been made aware of this spiritual reality, encourage someone else who's facing temptations as a result of their confession.
Prayer
Father, we pray that we overcome every temptation and pass every test. We give thanks for Jesus' intercessory prayer for the strengthening of our faith. Give us the courage to strengthen our brothers and sisters as they face personal struggles and temptations. In Jesus' name. Amen
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