GOSPEL TRACT SERIES: Correcting The Errors Of the Gospel Preachers By Apostle Edward Freedom
TRACT NO. 7
"SUFFERING IS NOT ALWAYS FROM THE DEVIL - God Also Uses Suffering"
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings..." - 1 Peter 4:12-13
THE POPULAR ERROR
In many churches today, every suffering is blamed on the devil.
"If you are sick, it is the devil! If your business fails, it is the devil! If you are persecuted, it is the devil! Just bind the devil and you will be free!"
Because of this error, many Christians never grow. When suffering comes, they start binding and cursing witches, instead of asking, "Lord, what are you teaching me?"
Some suffering is from the devil, yes. But not ALL suffering is from the devil. Sometimes God Himself allows or brings suffering to purify us, to teach us, and to make us like Christ.
If every suffering is from the devil, then God is helpless, and the devil is more powerful than God. That is not true.
We must correct this error.
THE BIBLICAL TRUTH
1. God uses suffering to make us holy.
"But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." - Job 23:10
Gold is purified by fire. So also God uses the fire of suffering to purify His children.
"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour..." - 1 Peter 1:7
If you never suffer, your faith will remain shallow.
2. Even Jesus learned through suffering.
"Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;" - Hebrews 5:8
Jesus was not suffering because of the devil. He suffered to obey the Father and to become our perfect Saviour. If Jesus suffered, why do we think we will never suffer?
3. Some suffering is from God to discipline us.
"For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." - Hebrews 12:6
When a father beats his son for doing wrong, is it the devil? No, it is love. So also God disciplines His children when we go astray, so we can return to Him.
If a Christian is living in sin and suffering comes, it is not always witchcraft. It may be God's rod calling him back.
4. Some suffering is to make us like Christ and for God's glory.
Paul had a thorn in the flesh. He prayed three times for God to remove it. God did not remove it. God said:
"My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." - 2 Cor 12:9
Was Paul's thorn from the devil? Even if it was, God allowed it to keep Paul humble. So even devil's attack was used by God for good.
Joseph suffered in Egypt, not because of devil, but because God was preparing him to save many people. Genesis 50:20 - "Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good."
5. What about Job?
Job suffered, and his friends said it was because he sinned. They were wrong. Job suffered not because he sinned, but because God wanted to prove Job's faithfulness and to show Satan that true faith exists.
Sometimes you suffer not because you sinned, but because God trusts you and wants to show your faith to the world.
WHAT SHOULD WE PREACH?
Stop preaching: "Every suffering is from the devil! Just bind him!"
Start preaching the whole truth:
1. Some suffering is from the devil, and we should resist him. James 4:7
2. Some suffering is from our own foolishness and sin, and we should repent. Gal 6:7
3. Some suffering is from God to purify, teach, and glorify Himself, and we should endure it with joy. James 1:2-4
Teach Christians to ask in suffering: "Lord, what are you saying? Is this attack, or is this Your training?"
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28
All things - including suffering - work for our good if we love God.
A CALL TO ENDURANCE
Are you suffering today and you have bound the devil but the suffering remains?
Maybe God is not removing it because He is using it to build you. Stop fighting God. Surrender. Ask for grace to endure and learn.
Pray with me:
"Lord Jesus, forgive me for blaming the devil for everything. Today I surrender my suffering to You. If it is from the enemy, give me victory. If it is Your training, give me grace to endure and become like gold. Let Your will be done in my life, not my comfort. Make me like You through my suffering. Amen."
Written By:
Pst. Edward Freedom
Please look out for TRACT NO. 8 in this series: "I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST - Not For Greed, But For Grace" - Philippians 4:13
For copies, counselling and prayers, contact the author.
