Turning The Test To Testimony

We’ve all heard it before – “life is a battle.” Yes! It’s a battle between Gods; between good and evil, light and darkness and the mind is the battlefield. Victory in our minds equal victory in our lives. A progressive and purposeful Christian life can only be achieved by gaining victory over the mind battles.

These battles come in form of spoken words, thoughts, imaginations, pictures, people, society etc. to tempt us to go against God’s tenets or test our trust in Him. But friends, we must see them as avenues of becoming faith champions, James 1:2-4. Faith champions are forged in the crucible of tests and temptations. We cannot be recognized as winners if we haven’t proven ourselves successful in the arena of tests or trials.

Temptations and tests are common to man and we must know that whatever test comes our way, we can pass it. God, even during the test or temptation makes a way of escape for us, 1 Corinthians 10:13. Jesus had to face His own test; the scripture in Luke 4:1-15 gives an account of Jesus’ test during His ministry.

What are some strategies we can apply as Christians from the encounter between Jesus and satan:

1. Be sober, be vigilant – stay alert, 1 Peter 5:8. Never think because you’re Spirit filled or have prayed up and fasted, you won’t be tested or tempted – Luke 4:1.
2. Know your weakness or weaknesses, Luke 4:2. Most often, your test will be based on your weakness. If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the results of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained, you will also suffer defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb to every battle – Sun Tzu (The Art of War).
3. Know the word, study it, and memorize it through personal quiet time – Revelation 12:11, Joshua 1:8. The word is your arsenal against negative thoughts and your victory over test/temptation. The word of God is one of the believer’s potent weapons of warfare, Ephesians 6:17.
4. The Holy Spirit will only bring to your remembrance what you have committed to memory. If the word ain’t there, ain’t nothing for the Spirit to work with. John 14:26.
5. Your attitude determines your altitude. You need the right scripture, attitude, response, mindset, habit, disposition to pass your test.
6. Fight the good fight of faith, 1 Timothy 6:12. The devil does not give up, why will you?!?!  If you fall, please don’t feel condemned, dust yourself up and continue fighting. Beautiful people, that you’re still breathing means you’re still in the fight.
7. Believe that you are able to pass the test. If others prevailed, you can and will prevail. 1 Corinthians 10:13
8. When you pass, you will be tested again and again, Luke 4:13. Anticipate harder tests. As long as you’re alive and a child of God, satan is upset.
9. See your test as a testimony to be told. There are people out there going through similar situations; your testimony will help them breakthrough as well.
10. Know that every victory gained produces experience and wisdom in you. You become stronger, happier, wiser, healthier, better, more powerful and recognized – Luke 4:14.

I’ll close with this; “The Christian life is warfare.  You must know that you’re going into each battle already a winner.” – Soji Ojuola.

Stay strong!!