Is Satan at work or do we just live in a sinful world?

Is Satan at work or do we just live in a sinful world? Well both are true, but I am trying to figure out which situations in our lives are because we live in a sinful world and which are from Satan and his demons.

I was in a wreck today; a guy ran me off the road. My Jeep might be total. Here is the kicker, the knife in the back, the irony of it all. I actually had a good friend and one of our supporters for Awaken tell me that he wanted to buy tires for my Jeep. He already had a few price quotes. I was thankful for the offer. Then got in a wreck. Praise God that I am alive after spinning out through three lanes of traffic on hwy 153. No one was hurt. God is good.

So, is this because of Satan and/or his demons or just from the reality of life in a sinful, fallen world? Many people blame things on Satan, but fail to realize that sometimes life happens and that we just live in a sinful jacked up world. Others blame everything on a messed up world and fail to realize that Satan really is prowling around like a roaring  lion looking to destroy our lives. And his purpose in coming is to steal, kill and destroy. 

What are your thoughts? Did Satan cause my wreck or was it just life? Tell me about a situation in your life. Did you struggle with why some things have happened the way they did?

PORN

I talked with a guy named Brian tonight while I worked at the Hopeline. Brian is 19 years old and in the Navy. He called because he wanted some encouragement because he felt defeated because he is struggling with lust and looking at porn. I encouraged Brian and prayed for him. We talked about practical things he could do to get it out of his life.

Brian thought he hung up the phone, but didn't. I heard a guy in the background giving him a hard time. He said "You called a Christian thing and told them that you were looking at porn?" Brian said yes. Brian told the guy that I prayed for him. The guy totally did not understand and continued to give Brian a hard time by cussing at him and cutting him down.

It is amazing the conviction the Holy Spirit can give. Those that are far from God can't sense a conviction by the Holy Spirit. Here's the deal; if you are struggling with porn or any other area in your life (lying, homosexuality, stealing, gossip...) you need to get accountability like Brian. Confess your sins one to another like 1 John says. Pray for Brian, as there are no believers he can turn to while he is in the Navy.

I'm Gay. So what now?

I met with a guy today that is struggling with Homosexuality. He sees it as a sin and as a struggle. He wants help and wants to honor God. How many people do you think really care about him and his struggle? How many do you think get nervous and unsure and therefore do not help him? This is life. This is Christianity; meeting people where they are and helping them get closer to God.

I encourage you, to see people for who they are. We have all sinned. We have all fallen. Just because one persons sin looks worse or different than yours doesn't mean that the same God that died for your sins did not die for theirs.