Why in the World Would God Allow a Sincere Believer to Undergo Attacks of Evil?

Spiritual Warfare – If God is For Us, How Can He Allow Such Difficult Seasons of Trials and Attacks to Come In Our Life?

Spiritual warfare is a part of life that many people prefer to ignore and overlook.

However, on a daily basis, we experience all kinds of attacks and temptations from the unseen world; some more intense than others.

Under typical conditions, most godly people will walk steadfast throughout life. Not perfect, but in victory.

God develops strength in us through tests and trials. But why would God allow us to go through intense evil attacks? Well, since God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours, we can’t completely understand; but there are some answers available to us.

Tests and Temptations of Life

God may test us, but He never tempts us to sin. And He always provides a way of escape for us.

“There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 
— 1 Corinthians 10:13

We see temptation come through a couple of obvious sources. One is the devil and the other our own lusts. (1 Thessalonians 3:5, James 1:14)

The Example of Job

Before the devil can wage an all out war on a believer, he first has to get God’s permission. Look at Job, for example, and how God allowed him to be tested so harshly. Why? Because God had faith in Job. And Job, having no idea what was going on in the unseen world during his attacks, proved to be faithful to God.

Sometimes in life, the heat is turned up and it is battle on, and things can seem unbearable. But that is when we need to stand firm and trust God. Remember, God is for us and we can come through victorious just like Job!

“Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.
Put on the whole armor of God,
that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world,
against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take to you the whole armor of God,
that you may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand.” 
— Ephesians 6:10-13

No matter how bad we get knocked down we need to call on the power of God and get back up!

The Example of Peter

Another example is Simon Peter. Satan wanted permission to attack Peter and attempt to cause him to lose his faith. But God had a different purpose for allowing the shaking. When Simon Peter’s self-confidence was shaken he was brought closer to a true foundation of trust in the Lord, and better equipped to strengthen his brothers.

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.
But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.
And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 
— Luke 22: 31-32

Jesus did not pray that Simon Peter would escape the sifting, but that his faith would not fail in the process.

Why Does God Allow the Attacks?

We see in these examples that the devil can seek permission to come at us with intense attacks. God also allows him permission sometimes. And even though it is not a happy thought, in each of these examples they were tested by God through Satan.

All of us will be tested so we can be refined like gold. None of us will escape some degree of it.

“When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” 
— Job 23:10

“Greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” 
— 1 Peter 1:6-7

God knows what He is doing. And what Satan intends for evil, our faithful God intends for good.

“The very God of peace sanctify you wholly;
and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body
be preserved blameless to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Faithful is He that calls you, who also will do it.”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Make no mistake about it: God is faithful and He will do whatever it takes to sanctify us to fulfill our calling. Yes, there are things going on out there that we just don’t understand. But if the enemy has been allowed to attack, and we go through a season of severe sifting, we still have to trust God.

May you faithfully trust God in all seasons and live a life of growing prosperity!

God bless you always,
Brenda

P.S. Please feel free to share your thoughts, comments, or feedback…