The plan is not temptations, although that still works quite well, especially on those who have just come to Christ and on those who still live, for the most part, in and for the world, specifically the pleasures it offers.
As we are blessed to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord though, (2 Peter 3:18) the temptations need to be much more subtle if they are going to achieve the desired end our adversary is looking for, the fall, if even for a short time, of the man of God. “There hath 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 ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Cor. 10:13)
And once that man understands these words, common temptations begin to lose the advantage they once had for Satan upon that man.
Despondency, hopefully leading to a full-blown depression is the key that Satan is using today, an easy carrot on a stick, so to speak for the lost, and sadly for many who call Christ Lord. Despair can lead to many different avenues, not the least of which is violence, something that has become quite apparent across the planet in these days, the continuous and seemingly never-ending lockdowns, along with all the upcoming mandates for the vaccinations are bringing about all manner of passive and aggressive behavior traits, just as they are intended to do.
The violence can be controlled quite easily, when they choose to do so, armed men have little fear of an angry mob, a few shots into the air, a water cannon and some tear gas will usually dispense the crowd, and even when those tactics cease to work, a few dead bodies lying on the street will frighten the masses away soon enough.
The key though is despondency, the continuous eating away of what people have considered their “God given” freedoms, if you will. A little at a time, not so much at once as to cause immediate anger followed by action, but slowly, almost imperceptibly, so that despair becomes a daily way of life. The herd is much more easily led when it does not know where it is going, much less when it does not know that it is being led. “For the good of all” is the chant, and those who do not see it that way will be, and are today, ostracized from the “rational thinking” community.
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Phil. 4:11) This is what all those who serve Christ for the glory of God must now perceive as truth within themselves, all those who have not worn the mask of safety, all those who have and will continue to refuse any and all of the vaccines related to this flu. We will adhere to their lockdowns, we will obey their orders for entry into whatever facility they have deemed one must show proof of vaccination for, but we will not allow them willingly to place that needle in our arm. It would not matter if it was filled with tap water, it is not the “principle of the matter,” it is standing strong in faith in Jesus Christ. “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (2 Tim. 1:12)
For us, to accept the vaccine is to dishonor the Lord, for us to fall into despair is to go against everything the Scriptures say of the joy of the Lord, and for us, to not oppose the authorities that are attempting to cause panic and fear would show a great distrust in the Lord for the protection that He has promised, not of our lives here, but of our very souls.
As for the violence, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” (Romans 12:19) Revolt against the evil, stand against it, but remain content in whatever state that He has placed you in, no matter the circumstances. Our heavenly home awaits us, and this verse should be, in fact must be one of our mainstays as the evil days progress. “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)
