The Backstory behind Your Test and Trials
Colossians 2:14-15, Rev. 12:10, Job 1:9-11, 2:4-5
A backstory is the history or the background context. The information you need in order to know why things are the way they are. When we find ourselves going through a test and a trial we will often wonder why this thing is happening to me or what did I do to desire this.
When you know the backstory, you’ll not only know why the test has come upon you, but you’ll withstand the test until you experience the victory.
The backstory is that according to Col. 2:14-15, Christ’s death paid, in full, mankind’s debt to God as a result of our sins. The backstory is that the resurrection of Christ broke the power of the powers of darkness that ruled in our lives. Many don’t realize that when they do things over-and-over again, and their excuse is that they can’t help themselves. They’re actually acknowledging that there’s a power that rules over them. When their attitude is that if loving it is wrong, I don’t want to be right, they’re acknowledging that there’s a power that rules over them.
The backstory is that according to Rev. 12:10, the devil accuses, before God, those that have received Christ. He tells God that what Christ accomplished through his death, burial, and resurrection had no effect on them because given the situation they’ll serve him before they’ll serve God.
In Job 1:9-11, 2:4-5, you’ll learn that just like he did with about Job, the devil has conversations about you to God. Because he is the accuser of the brethren.
Now that you know the backstory, understand that the purpose of the test is because:
- God has been boasting about your faithfulness toward him, just like he did about Job, because His Spirit dwells in you.
- God will allow you to be tested because the test validates that you are a new creation in Christ; that you are a member of His royal priesthood, His holy nation; peculiar people that show forth God’s praise.
- The test confirms that you love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
- The test reiterates that the devil is defeated.
It’s one thing to say that the devil is a liar, but when you withstand a test, you prove him to be a liar.