Perhaps dealing with Satan and temptation is like a wrestling match. Sometimes Satan is getting the best of us. Sometimes we are free. Being free is a nice feeling.
Im tempted by this world. Its everywhere but I walk in victory over it. I dont know how that happened. All I know is I ended up having psychosis and terrible panic attacks. I thought the shadow of death was visiting me and it was part of bearing my cross. I was very delusional i guess. I dont really know how to understand it to be honest. I decided to get on medication and afterwards I found that I could resist temptation. The psychosis scared me and maybe that had something to do with it. The Bible does say that by fear of the Lord men depart from evil. Things I experienced during that mental breakdown sure did scare me for a while.
A couple of verses about Satan that I like to quote are these:
We know that we are of God, and the whole world is in the power of the evil one. 1 John 5:19 RSV
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44 RSV
One thing that stands out to me is that God often provides help through ordinary means as well as spiritual ones. Seeking treatment and taking medication when needed is not a lack of faith.
I also appreciate Bob’s wrestling analogy. Temptation and spiritual growth are often not a straight line. There are seasons when the struggle feels intense and seasons when victory seems easier. What encourages me is that Scripture doesn’t tell us to rely on our own strength, but reminds us that God is faithful and provides a way to endure temptation.
And I am grateful that you found help and are doing better. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
2Co_2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Here are a couple of links to a booklet “The Satanic History of the World” that kind of describes Satan’s plans and his hand in the trajectory of the world.
web pages
I like that analogy.