Think Again!

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

The twelve pillaging schemes that follow are based on my personal observation, and they are not meant to be exhaustive or authoritative. In fact, you may have your own list. Scheme #1: You Are Deficient One of the accuser’s principal methods of operation is to prompt you to focus on your deficiencies: • I lack significance. • I lack safety and security, especially for my loved ones. • I am missing out on the pleasures of life. • I am disappointed with my work. • I lack friends. • I lack recognition and admiration. • I am too old, too young, under-qualified, or over-qualified. • It’s too late for me, it’s too soon for me. The enemy wants to focus your attention what you don’t have, while God wants you to consider what you do have. If the deceiver can get you to fixate on what you lack, you take your eyes off God’s good provision. If you choose thankfulness you neutralize the devil’s temptations to be a victim. Instead of complaining and whining, you can learn to be content in all situations, whether facing plenty or want (Phil. 4.11-13). It takes discipline to choose thankfulness, resisting thoughts of deficiency, which is why thank- fulness is a primary resource in spiritual warfare (Eph. 5.20). One species of deficiency is fear of being left out. Perhaps Eve feared being left out of some inner circle, believing that God had a secret knowledge he was holding back from her. The devil got her to believe that if she ate of the fruit, she would be on the