Month: November 2025

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to lean on God when life feels like it’s falling apart—but how easy it is to forget Him when everything is going well?

Recently, I heard a speaker say something that’s stuck with me. He suggested that while we often assume good things and prosperity come from God, and hard times come from the devil, what if sometimes it’s the other way around? What if the devil can use prosperity, comfort, and success to distract us from God?

It’s a challenging thought. Not because we want to doubt blessings, but because it raises a deeper question: what role does comfort play in our faith life?

When our finances are solid, our relationships are smooth, and our plans are working out, it’s tempting to start thinking we’re in control. We might pray less, stop seeking God daily, or let gratitude slip. Without even realizing it, our dependency on God can begin to fade. But maybe that’s when we need Him most—to keep our hearts aligned, our pride in check, and our purpose clear.

The Bible gives us plenty of warnings about this. In Deuteronomy 8:10-14, God warns His people not to forget Him once they’ve entered the promised land and become prosperous:

“When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God… Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down… then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God.”

It’s not that wealth or success is wrong—but if it pulls us away from our relationship with God, then we have to ask: is it still a blessing?

Even Jesus was tempted by Satan with comfort, control, and kingdoms (Matthew 4:8-10). The enemy knew those things could be powerful distractions—even for the Son of God.

So maybe this is worth considering together: could it be that some of the ease or success in our lives is actually making it harder to see our need for God?

And on the flip side—could the struggles we face sometimes be the very things that draw us back into deeper faith?

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Conversation Starters:

1. When things are going well in your life, do you find yourself praying and turning to God more, less, or about the same?
2. Can you think of a time when hardship brought you closer to God?
3. What are some ways we can stay grounded and connected to God in all seasons of life, including prosperous times?
4. Have you ever experienced a time when a “good” thing actually pulled you away from your faith?

“But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’ He answered, ‘I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.’ And He said, ‘Who told you that you were naked?’” — Genesis 3:9–11

There’s a question God asked Adam in the garden that still echoes in our hearts today in Buckhead: “Who told you?”

In the quiet of the garden, after sin had crept in, God didn’t come down with immediate punishment. He came with a question. Not because He didn’t know the answer — but because He wanted Adam (and us) to think.

In the same way God wanted Adam to think, He also wants us to think. Consider these questions:

Who told you that you weren’t good enough?
That you’re unworthy?
Unforgivable?
Too broken to be used by God?
Not smart enough, not man enough, not spiritual enough?

Somewhere along the way, many of us started believing voices that don’t sound anything like our Father’s.

Think about it: at what point did other people’s opinions, our own insecurities, or that harsh internal critic start speaking louder than God’s truth?

God’s Voice vs. Every Other Voice

God’s voice builds. It comforts. It restores and leads us toward wholeness.
The enemy’s voice accuses, shames, and divides — from others, from purpose, and from God.

Yet how easily we tune in to the wrong station.

A single negative comment can drown out a dozen kind ones. One failure can suddenly define our worth. And over time, we start living as though the lie was truth.

But here’s the truth: God never said those things about you.

You Are Not What Shame Says

God didn’t shame Adam — He called to him. And He’s still calling.

Whatever label you’ve picked up — failure, screw-up, not enough — it’s not your name.
Your name is son. Beloved. Chosen. Forgiven. Capable. Redeemed.

So, next time that old lie creeps in, ask yourself the same thing God asked Adam:
“Who told you that?”
Then take it to the One whose voice brings life.

Questions:

• Do you agree that sometimes it’s easier to listen to other voices than God’s?
• What voices have you elevated above God’s in your life — maybe without realizing it?
• What’s one lie you’ve believed that you’re ready to let go of?
• Who in your life speaks God’s truth to you — and how can you do the same for someone else this week?