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THE DEVIL'S DEVASTATING TOOL

I heard of a legend many years ago that I think bears repeating today.

The devil, it seems, was getting tired and decided to retire. He had an auction and put his tools and temptations up for sale. Within minutes, everything was purchased by his demons, except for one well worn instrument that he kept for himself. The demons thought it of little importance, so went on their way to seduce mankind, and hinder the work of God. The devil was happy, for in keeping this one little tool for himself, he had secured all.

A few weeks went by, and the Lord's work was thriving, so the devil called his demons to give answer to his dilemma. They had the biggest tools, but could not destroy or hinder the work of God. Something must be done, so the devil came out of retirement and put the only tool he had to use. He is the master at using it.

That tool had a paralyzing effect, and was as infectious as any epidemic. People left the work of God enmasse, and their misgivings caused a flood of destruction that burst its bounds, and caught others in a deadly, penetrating, murky mess. It almost drown the entire church in depths of woe.

What was the tool Satan is using with such success. The tool of discouragement.

When he hits us with his awful instrument we must remember the marvelous mercy and great goodness of God; THINK on His faithfulness; MEDITATE on His grace; throw ourselves in His loving, strong arms and ALLOW His Word to speak peace to our souls. This is a sure method of defeating the evil one, and has proven to be a real cure for discouragement, that if not treated, could lead to depression.
--anonymous

In over thirty years of teaching teen girls and women I had never done a lesson on discouragement. I have read my Bible through many times-so I know God deals with discouragement but I had just never studied it as a subject unto itself. This was an exciting study for me and one that made me wonder if my not having a real grasp on how discouragement happens made me too often fall prey to it's attacks.

I BELIEVE THAT ALL DISCOURAGEMENT IS FROM THE DEVIL.
The religion of the Bible is a religion of FAITH, of good cheer, of courage, of HOPE that maketh not ashamed. Our old nature says, "Be discouraged for the world is a place of temptation and sin. Christ says, "Be of good cheer for I have overcome the world." Therefore discouragement comes from an evil source.

The word discouraged in the Old Testament means ==dismayed, afraid, break in pieces, broken, break down, beaten down, to be shattered, be dismayed, scared, terrified.

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