This is part two of a 2-part series. In part one we looked at the first six traps that believers face. In this article we look at the final six traps.
While reflecting on the struggles many of my Christian friends are facing, something caught my attention. When I started writing down the root causes of their challenges, they all started with the letter ‘D’! Discontent, doubt, delay, despair… the list goes on. Of course, life brings a wide range of trials over and above these. Today however, let us explore some of these ‘D’ challenges that often creep into our walk with God. We will ask questions like: Why do they hit so hard? And more importantly, how do we overcome them? (The final 6 challenges continue below).
As we unpack each one, it is my heart’s desire that the Holy Spirit will minister to your heart and give you insight, discernment and faith to overcome each one where it tries to find a foothold in your life or the life of a loved one.
7. Delay
From the moment we start to pray about something, God starts working and preparing the matter to bring an answer and outcome that will be much better than what we are asking for. God’s timing is always right, even when it is (seemingly) delayed. However, the devil uses delays to weaken our faith and patience, causing believers to question God’s timing.
Isaiah 40:31 – But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
Habakkuk 2:3 – For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.
8. Disinterest
Prayer watchmen can sometimes become cold and disconnected with regards to spiritual matters, leading them to neglect prayer, Bible study and fellowship. This can happen especially when your life is just too busy. At such times your brain only chooses to give attention to the most urgent things – everything else you put aside to do later. Some of the first things we often put aside, that we think will not immediately influence our lives, are our spiritual disciplines.
I once read about the life of Martin Luther who lived in the 1500s– he said something like this:
“I have so much to do today that I cannot but spend the first three hours in prayer.”
9. Defamation
Defamation is the act of making false statements about someone that damage their reputation. The devil uses slander and false accusations to harm a believer’s reputation and cause division. This can be spoken words, or words written about someone in the media. If this has happened to you, remember:
Psalm 34:19 – Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.
1 Peter 3:8–9 – Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tender-hearted, be courteous; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
10. Discontent
Spiritual discontentment refers to a feeling of emptiness, longing, or dissatisfaction in one’s spiritual life or relationship with God. It often manifests when a person feels disconnected from the Lord, or when they lack a sense of fulfilment or purpose in their spiritual practices, or struggle with doubt and confusion regarding their beliefs.
One way in which discontentment manifests is ‘irritation’. We are just irritated with everyone and everything. This puts up a wall between us and the Lord in our relationship with Him – and it is exactly what the enemy wants. All these things, should we allow them to continue or escalate in our lives, will disconnect us from our fellowship with the Lord.
John 10:10 – The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
11. Destruction
It is written in John 10:10 – “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…” The word ‘destroy’ implies a deeper and more dangerous but subtle form of harm than physical death or theft. It refers to the devil’s ultimate goal of undermining and ruining the spiritual, emotional and eternal well-being of individuals.
So, what does it mean when it says that the devil comes to ‘destroy’? One can point to at least five things he wants to destroy in the life of the Believer.
- Destruction of faith – negative thoughts come into the mind, seeds of doubt, fear, discouragement.
- Destruction of identity in Christ – shame, guilt, self-rejection.
- Destruction of relationships – strife, jealousy, envy, slander, gossip and unforgiveness destroy relationships.
- Destruction of God-given purpose – temptations, worldly attractions and fascinations, and hiding sins.
- Destruction of eternal hope – you are no longer saved; you lose track of your call, getting busy with side issues and things.
12. Depression
Depression can be used to isolate believers and make them feel spiritually and emotionally distant from God. This is such a huge problem that I want to pause here and take a moment to study Depression. To avoid falling into self-condemnation and confusion, it is important to discern between spiritual depression vs physical depression.
This side-by-side format allows for quick comparison between the two types of depression:
| Aspect | Spiritual Depression | Physical Depression |
| Definition | A state of disconnection from spiritual beliefs, practices, or God. | A medical condition affecting mood, energy and well–being, often linked to biological factors. This can be because of a medical condition, e.g. hormonal imbalance, etc. |
| Overlap | Spiritual depression can contribute to physical symptoms, and vice versa. | Physical depression can lead to spiritual disconnection or hopelessness. |
| Causes | – Loss of meaning or purpose | – Biochemical imbalances (e.g. serotonin, dopamine), toxins in the body because of inactivity |
| – Guilt or shame related to spiritual beliefs | – Genetic tendency: A person with a family history of diabetes may have a genetic predisposition to develop the disease. | |
| – Questioning faith or beliefs | – Chronic stress at work or at home. | |
| – Life crises (e.g. trauma, illness, or death) | – Trauma or abuse: physical/emotional | |
| – Burnout in spiritual practices | – Medical conditions (chronic pain) | |
| Symptoms | – Feeling spiritually ’empty’ or disconnected | – Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness |
| – Loss of joy in spiritual activities | – Fatigue and lack of energy | |
| – Doubts or loss of faith | – Difficulty concentrating or making decisions | |
| – Guilt, shame, or unworthiness | – Changes in appetite or sleep patterns | |
| – Physical symptoms (e.g. headaches, aches, or digestive issues) | ||
| Treatment | – Reconnecting with spiritual communities | – Counselling or psychiatry |
| – Confiding in a Christian friend who will encourage and help you to reconnect with God | – Medical help where needed |
Psalm 42:11 – Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.
Conclusion
The enemy is crafty, and the 12 D’s: doubt and unbelief, deception, despair, disobedience, defeat, desire for control, delay, disinterest, defamation, discontent, destruction and depression are some of his most effective strategies to wear us down and pull us away from God’s truth. But we are not without hope.
God has equipped us with His Word, His Spirit and His promises to stand firm against every scheme. Recognising these tactics is the first step toward overcoming them. So, when the D’s come knocking, don’t answer in fear, respond in faith. Stand on God’s truth, stay anchored in prayer and God’s Word, and remember that victory belongs to those who endure in Christ.
Download part 2 of this article as PDF
(Also read part one to learn about the first six ‘D’ challenges and traps that believers face.)
