I used to think of the devil or demonic forces as creepy shadows lurking in dark hallways or vacant houses — just like the movies show.

But I’ve learned that couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, God views these evil spirits as disembodied entities that often work through people.

When they enter the human form, they tend to show up as personality traits:

• Lustfulness

• Gluttony (overeating)

• Worry / Anxiety

• Greed (over-consuming)

• Sloth (laziness)

• Wrath (easily angered or enraged)

• Envy (wanting what others have)

• Pridefulness (excessive self-importance or idolizing others)

Meanwhile, the Holy Spirit also has His own fruits — His own attributes:

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things.”

— Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)

So no, you probably won’t see evil looming in the air… but you will notice it through human behavior.

I’ve come to realize: everything has a motivation or “spirit” behind it. If you don’t know why you’re doing something, an unseen force might be choosing for you — whether that’s the Holy Spirit, past trauma, personal traditions, or even someone else’s influence.

Far too often, we as believers operate from logic. We get distracted by the social media psychologists and community groups, and before long, we are far from God’s truth. We desire to be right and stand against what is wrong. Rarely do we examine the fact that God is not concerned with right and wrong. Wisdom will take care of that. God is concerned most with truth and love. 

Jeremiah 9:23 states

“Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone; that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!”

When we recognize that we serve the God of truth, and settle into that fact, then we can do a much better internal evaluation regarding our motivations.

Do nothing without intention

#donttakethebait #wellbeing #restoration #intentionalliving #lifeonpurpose