Focus Scripture : If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 (AMP)
Where does opposition come from? You know the roadblocks that we are often met with that can either discourage us from moving forward or encourage us that we are just where we need be. Do they come from the devil or does God send oppositions too?
The answer is both. Opposition can come from both the enemy and God. It is important that you recognize the difference.
The book of Job is a perfect example of opposition that comes from the enemy. All throughout Job, we see roadblock after roadblock that was sent by the enemy to cause Job to lose faith in God.
As it pertains to God sent opposition. The story of Jonah in the belly of the whale in Jonah 1:4 comes to mind. The Bible tells us that God caused Jonah and the other men on the ship to encounter a storm.
Opposition that comes for the enemy, a lot of times comes when we are in the right place in God. We can’t allow discouragement to consume us when the enemy attacks us, he is only doing his job. With the enemy’s opposition comes confusion. When we are in line with what God has called us to, when lives are being changed because of our obedience, the kingdom of darkness is in great danger and the enemy is not happy about it. He will do everything in his power to deter us from moving forward.
On the other hand, opposition that comes from God, a lot of times, is to get our attention to warn us and redirect us when we are not in line with what He has called us to. God desires nothing more than for us to be in the center of His will for our lives. However, God is not going to make us do anything. He gives us the option to choose Him and a life lived in Him. He will often send opposition our way to lead us and guide us in the right direction. Although oppositions will find us, with God’s opposition comes peace.
It is very important the we understand the difference between the two. The most beautiful part about recognizing these differences is, when we truly seek God for guidance, He will make it perfectly clear where the opposition is coming from.
We all experience opposition in our walk with Christ. Can you remember a time when you experienced opposition from either God or the enemy? How did you identify the originator of the opposition?
Prayer: Lord, thank You for bringing to my attention the truth about opposition. Often times I would think that the opposition I was facing came from the devil. Not realizing that sometimes You too cause opposition in my life. Father, I pray for Your wisdom as I am identifying and understating the difference. It is in Your Son Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!
So. I’ve been in both positions, but currently my opposition has been coming from God because I’d had a Jonah moment. It clicked to me last night, only to read it here this morning. Time to get in line.
Yes, that is what tomorrow’s devotional will be about. Thanks for stopping by!
Such a great reminder. I’ve often heard people teach about opposition coming from the enemy, but it’s rare to hear about God bringing some opposition into our lives. Whatever the case, we must always remember to praise Him in the storm.
Absolutely, thanks for taking the time to stop by!
I like the point about how a lot of times, these hard times come when we’re walking close with God. The enemy will do anything to keep us from getting closer to Him, and he will certainly attack us the most when we are trying to live for God!
So very true! That’s his only job.
So very true. Sometimes we are blind to see this fact. We just have to open our hearts.
Absolutely!
This is a great point. Opposition is always frustrating, but it is an important tool for landing in the right place and reaping great rewards when we push through at the right time.
Yes we just have to press our way through to the end.
I agree that our enemy opposes us more strongly when we are doing all to live in Christ. He either tempts us to sin, or he temps us to get caught up in legalism — adherence to a set of rules. That opposition robs our peace, too.
OMG! I couldn’t have said it any better. That not falling into legalism is important.