Think Again!

30 • Think Again: Transformation That Yields a Return on God’s Investment

But God has a different agenda. C. S. Lewis talked about Jesus as a King who landed in disguise and has invited us to join in a great work of sabotage. 13 As the people of his story, God uses us to carry on his work of sabotage. Luther said, “And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God hath willed his truth to triumph through us.” On one side, the adversary erects strongholds to keep us bound, rendering us ineffective in God’s sabotage. On the other side, God is constantly providing truth, encouragement, and comfort to make us increasingly fruitful, eager to produce a return on his investment.

For his part, the deceiver employs a three-step strategy to distract us: devaluing, globalizing, and irrationality.

Devaluing The accuser starts by speaking false statements and doubts into our minds. They are vicious and devastating, striking at our deepest fears. Jennings said, “Every human being descended from Adam and Eve is born infected with fear and selfishness – fear of failure, fear of what others think, fear of not getting that job, fear of not getting that guy or girl, fear of not getting that grade, fear of not being loved, fear of being alone, fear, fear, fear!” 14

The enemy analyzes you, sizes you up, and designs a line of attack that plays on your fears. Here are a few examples:

• You don’t belong. • No one loves you. You are lonely and miserable. • You have no talent or gifting. There’s no hope for you. • Look at her, why can’t you be like her? • God doesn’t really love you or this bad thing wouldn’t have happened.