When Generalities in General Are Getting You Down

 In a book I found in our church library recently called A Call to Joy,  the author related something helpful a professor had taught him.

He had said, "God convicts in specifics...and Satan condemns in generalities." 

 I could relate.

Immediately, I thought of some of the vague thoughts and feelings that often go through my mind, 

like, "Everything you do is wrong."

or, "You're just a big failure."

The devil and his cohorts know just how to pile on the blame.

Think about some of the most hurtful accusations you've received or heard about others.
Were they general, such as "You just think you're better than everyone else!"

Or were they specific, such as,
"This particular action or thing you said was very hurtful to me."

When God convicts us of something, He will let us know exactly and clearly what we are doing wrong and how to do right next time.

We can hang completely upside down with all sorts of general accusations from the devil's own sneaky self, from other people or from our own "inner critic."

But God's Word says, "His truth shall be your shield."

Sometimes we have to dig for the truth.
Sometimes the general condemnations come from people we trust.
They can totally blow us away.
Sometimes, we have to come to terms with those accusations we receive, and decide whether they hold water or not. Whether they are the truth or not.
God's truth will shield us from the generalities of the enemy.