Review:

• Part One – God’s presence is often termed “God’s face”, He tells us to seek His face, it is a vital need for us, and He will help us.
• Part Two – Basic truth’s about God’s presence. He promises His presence if we love and obey Him.
• Part Three – Some of the many ways we can love God.
• Part Four –  We sometimes see God’s face and sometimes not because God is sovereign. He initiates our awareness of His presence, He responds to our reaching out, and He withdraws temporarily. There are also hindrances to His presence over which we have some control.
• Part Five: Hindrances to God’s presence include disobedience, lack of love, our physical condition, and our soul’s condition, our spiritual condition, lack of experience or knowledge, hidden sin, and lies from the enemy.

PART SIX: LIES ABOUT GOD’S PRESENCE  THAT THE ENEMY USES

Satan “is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44, JNIV.) He is the enemy of God and of us, so of course he does not want us to have the blessings of God’s presence. So, he lies, wanting us to believe some of the following poisons.

• Awareness of God’s presence is reserved for a special few.
• We are not worthy to be in God’s presence.
• I do not have the personality to be quiet and still.
• I do not have the time and place, etc. to seek God
• Other attacks of the enemy.
• Fear is the enemy’s biggest weapon.

Awareness of God’s presence is reserved for a special few, only for those who live an especially good life, like pastors, teachers, and “special” people.  Jesus says, “

Come unto me all (emphasis added) you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. ((Matthew 11:28-29, NIV). 

And when God says “whosoever” in John 3:16, He means any person.  Period.

We are not worthy to be in God’s presence. On the surface, this seems true because none of us humans could ever be good enough by our own works to be accepted by God. But the blessed truth is that when we trust God, our faith puts us in right standing with God (Romans 4:5).  Chapters Four through Eight of Romans explain this gift of right-standing, or righteousness, with God by faith, so that by grace, through faith, we may have it. These chapters are part of the believer’s foundation. Have you read them recently?

I do not have the personality to be quiet and still long enough. I believe it is easier for those of us with quiet personalities to spend time alone with God and the Word. However, those of us with outgoing, very sociable personalities can also cultivate this habit. God does all things well, and He is fair. Each type of personality finds certain things difficult.  And as for being quiet and still long enough, that is different for each person.

If you are an extrovert who blossoms in the company of other people, the enemy would likely tell you that you must be quiet and still for hours. Not true! Try God and see. God gave you your personality, and He knows how to communicate with you in the way that is best for you.

I do not have the time and place, etc. to seek God. Although some may have to sacrifice greatly to carve out time for being alone with God, and some may not have the luxury of a quiet spot in their own home, God will make time and a place for those who sincerely seek to have devotional times with Him. If we ask God for something that is clearly His will, we can be sure He will provide it (I John 4:4-15).

Other attacks of the enemy. Some of trials we experience in this life are caused by the enemy of our souls. While we are here on earth, the enemy attacks us with sickness of body and mind, loss of loved ones, financial hardships, delays, obstacles, etc., etc.

But fear not!  Jesus tells us “In this world you will have troubles and trials, distress and frustration, but be of good cheer [take courage, be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you.]” (emphasis added) (John 17:33, AMPC).

The things of this world, including what the enemy does, cannot harm us in the long run. They may look bad, and be bad for a while, but God is sovereign! Psalm 115:3 tells us “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.”. Furthermore “. . . we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28). What the enemy intends for evil for us, God intends for good (Genesis 50:20)

The first and second chapters of the book of Job clearly shows us that God is sovereign. Satan has to get permission from God before he does anything to a child of God. Yes, that can be a hard concept to accept. However, as we “diligently consider the mercy and loving-kindness of the LORD” (Psalm 107:43), we will “give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.” (Psalm 130:8, 15, 21 and 31, NIV). Notice that the phrase “give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind” is repeated in the same words four times in this Psalm, in verses 8, 15, 21 and 31.  Hmmm . . . God must  think it is important for me to remember that!

If we carefully, thoughtfully consider all the kind things God has done for mankind and our own lives, we cannot help but praise Him and give Him thanks. That leads to peace and also helps us choose to believe God when He says that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28, NIV)

And remember that Jesus has overcome the world and its troubles for us.  It is good to repeat again the verse where Jesus tells us why we can be of good cheer:

“In the world you will have tribulation, trials, distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain and undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] (John 16:33, AMPC)

Fear is Satan’s biggest weapon.  Reread the previous section about the power and mercy of God. I John 4:4 reassures us that God, who is in us, is greater than Satan, who is in the world. Setting “our hearts on things above” (Colossians 3:1, NIV) and thinking on the “whatsoevers” in Philippians 4:8 will drive fear out.

It is good to study what God says about fear and to hear sound teaching on the subject, because it is the favorite tactic of Satan. I have heard many teachers say that fear is mentioned in the Bible 365 times. God obviously wants us to be on guard against fear. I studied many scriptures on fear because it was a huge problem for me. Along the way, I found that studying peace was a safeguard against fear. Think about that! Start with three verses about peace and hide them in your heart. The peace that comes from God’s truth will shield your mind the next time fear attacks.

In Part Seven, we will talk about what to do if you have never consciously felt God’s presence or if you have not in a long time. Be blessed!