"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (James 4:7-8)

This week, I had someone ask me how Christians can have serious doubts after many years of following Christ. This person has been experiencing some spiritual attacks lately, and has recognized them as being from Satan. I was thankful for God's gracious timing for this conversation as we had just discussed in Sunday School how impactful it can be to simply ask someone "What do you believe about God?"

Do you believe that God can stand up under doubts brought up by Satan? Do you believe that God will meet you in your doubt if you seek Him through it? Do you believe that God wants you to use spiritual attacks as opportunities to refocus on following Christ? Do you believe that God is trustworthy?

Satan planting seeds of doubt is his oldest trick. But God's Word tells us that to overcome, we must simply resist, and he WILL flee. Before we are able to resist, we must submit ourselves to God. To submit ourselves to God we must trust that He is who He says He is. We must trust that he is willing and able to do what He says He can do. We must wash our hands and purify our hearts, to come near to God, and He promises to come near to us.

So, if you are struggling with sin, with doubt, with trials that seem unbearable, then I would encourage you with these simple words from James 4:10, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."

-Nate