Right When God wants to Bless, We flunk the test!

My Aunt Mary came up with this phrase while discussing during our group about walking in love.

Love is the key to passing the test. I have 1 Corinthian 13 framed on the wall in my living room. It helps to hear, speak, and meditate on the word and to have it in front of your eyes as a daily reminder. We all believe in things: marriage, promotion, business, houses, cars, and so on. However, the enemy has schemes and tricks right when God is getting ready to bless us to get us off the love walk. The devil knows faith works by love.

At school, most people have a study partner or a tutor when they are challenged on specific subjects. I am thankful to God that I have people to correct me, which has helped tremendously. However, the correction is not pleasant at times. Proverbs 27:6 Amplified Version says: 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend [who corrects out of love and concern], but an enemy’s kisses are deceitful [because they serve his hidden agenda].

People can flatter you and let you fail, even though they could have corrected you on it. However, when someone loves you, that person will tell you the truth even if it hurts. Pastor Gaines would say, “Before you correct, connect.” You must develop a relationship with them where they trust you before trying to correct someone. You can speak the truth in love when correcting someone. Sometimes the person will receive it, and other times, they will get mad and not talk to you. However, when you love someone, you want to see them succeed, which means correcting them. I am learning how to be confrontational with people. God will give you the wisdom of what to say. I thank God for correction and godly mentors, family, and friends. It has kept me from a lot of pitfalls.

The devil will use the closest to us to test us the most. If you mess up, repent and get back on track. The more you do it, like with anything, it becomes automatic. Things that bothered you before will not bother you anymore. Offenses will come (Luke 17:1-2), but we have the power not to let them hurt us. Luke 10:19 Kings James Version: Behold, I give you the ability to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: nothing shall hurt you by any means.

We control what we let into our hearts and how we respond to it. My dad’s favorite phrase Jesus used is “Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do?” That is using the shield of faith to quench the fiery dots that the enemy throws at us (Ephesians 6:16). It is not the person; it is a spirit operating in that person (Ephesians 6:12-13) to cause them to act the way they do. If people knew that if they don’t repent, the bad seeds they have sown will multiply just like good seeds, they wouldn’t do what they do.

Get a godly accountability partner that will correct you when you get off the love walk. Ask God to check your spirit when you are out of line. Read 1 Corinthians 13 every day; print it out to put before your eyes as a reminder. Take control over what you let come into your heart, even if you must confront that person in love. Put the shield of faith up by saying, “Forgive them for they know not what they do.” Let us pass our test because love sums it up for the power of God to flow in our lives.

Right when God wants to bless, we flunk the test!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your unconditional love. You loved me when I didn’t treat you right and denied you. I have the same kind of love because I am a believer. I am made in your image and likeness. God, I repent for holding in offenses and not confronting things when I need to in love. I do not want my prayers hindered. I am tired of flunking my test. I put my shield of faith up and take control over what I let into my heart. God, with your help, the Holy Spirit, and people around me to correct me, I have the victory. I give you the praise in Jesus’ name! Amen.