Satan Uses People, Let the Holy Spirit Lead You

Satan most often uses people to attempt to goad us into sinful responses.

The beauty of a life filled with Christ is that they cannot accomplish it, because it is not our character to be rude and mean like those who hate us.

What comes out of us when we are pressed is our real character.

Have you ever thought after being insulted, "I wish I had said something"? Often, I was silenced when insulted because the Holy Spirit did not want me to respond to the rudeness.

Romans 12:17-21 "17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:"
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[b]
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

It is our character that drives our spontaneous responses.

Those who manipulate and scheme against us are displaying their inner character of anger. If they had no anger, they could not do and say the things they do to harm us.

We are not harmed when we walk with Christ because our character is that of Christ and cannot be provoked into something that is not a part of our being.

Hebrews 10:23-24 "…23 Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds."

This does not mean that we never address what is done to us, but often there is no need. It does mean we hear from the Holy Spirit and speak when He gives us the words. He knows better than anyone whether or not something should be addressed.

Then, when the Holy Spirit speaks, we should not worry about the response of the one hearing; we can leave that to Christ.

In our culture, people will judge us based on how the other person responded and not on what we actually said or did. We must resist the temptation to feel guilty about what the Holy Spirit told us to do.

Final takeaway: Depend continually on the Holy Spirit for all your answers and responses.