Weapon 2: Discouragement

Discourage, "To deprive of courage, hope, or confidence; dishearten; dispirit. To dissuade (usually followed by from ). To obstruct by opposition or difficulty; hinder. To express or make clear disapproval of;"

Satan uses his second weapon in Genesis 3 also. Discouragement is the act of removing confidence or hope from someone. Satan discourages Eve's trust in God. He begins by misquoting God, and then brings out a lie making God seem like the bad guy. Genesis 3.4-5, "The serpent said to the woman, 'You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.'"

Satan discourages them from following God by shaking their trust in God. In verse one he says, "Did God really say...?" Eve misquotes what God said by adding limitations to what He gave. It opens the door for Satan to work. He makes his offer seem better than God's and Eve falls into sin.

Discouragement also hits us through difficult circumstances. We look at a task and begin to lose hope in the abilities we have to accomplish it. We can begin to doubt that God will come through for us. We can begin to wonder if God made a mistake in choosing us for the job. Jesus faced this weapon in the desert as well.

Matthew 4.8-9, "Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, 'All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.'" Jesus had come to save the world through His death on the cross. Satan here offers Christ the opportunity to save the world without the cross. If Jesus is given the world He can do what He pleases with it. He can save it without dieing for it. All He has to do is compromise just for a second.

I can imagine as Jesus is on the mountain top and Satan is making his offer, he adds a few other things, possibly along the lines of what Satan says to Jesus in the Garden in The Passion of the Christ. "Do you really believe that one man can bear the full burden of sin? ... No man can carry this burden I tell you. It is far too heavy. Saving their souls is too costly. No one. Ever. No. Never." Satan uses his weapon of discouragement well. He offers Jesus the chance to do what God sent Him to do, but in an easier way; a way that wouldn't involve pain or death, just a small bow, one single act of worship.

It's a tempting offer, an offer that seems hopeful, better and easier. But Jesus knew that He could not save the world by compromising and coming to our level. Instead He must stand firm, knees locked, and be encouraged that God's plan is the best. He defeats Satan's second weapon with the truth of Scripture and hope and trust in God. "Then Jesus said to him, 'Go, Satan! For it is written, "YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY."'"

Jesus overcame discouragement, where Adam and Eve gave in. Jesus knew that God's plan was the best plan, that God's plan was the only way. He wasn't discouraged by the difficulty, but encouraged by the love and presence of the Father.

We too must overcome discouragement, but we don't have to do it alone. God has given us truth, that shows us His plan is best. We have righteousness, the relationship with Him that guards our lives. Peace, which gives us sure footing on difficult ground. Faith, trust in God and what He says. Salvation, to guard our thoughts and help us hear what God is saying to us. And the Spirit, the sword, the word of God. It is a love letter to us, written from God's heart to ours to encourage us through the struggles of life.

With the weapons and armor of God, we can deflect and defeat Satan's second weapon of discouragement.

Peace be with you.