“ A dishonest man spreads strife.”

We all know them. They are troublemakers. Troublemakers are people who are so miserable in their own life that the only thing that makes them happy is starting trouble between other people, stirring the pot, and then sitting back and gleefully watching the outcome of the trouble they created.

It has taken me awhile but I have recently discovered a major troublemaker in my circle of friends and family. I had noticed that every single person that this person and I know in common suddenly stops talking to me. When, to the best of my knowledge, I had done nothing to any of these people to upset them I prayed about it and God revealed to me the source of the trouble was one person. One person who I have had discernment about for sometime. One person who was at one time close to God but through sexual addictions has opened a door to every demonic spirit one can imagine. Several years ago the person had pictures online of them in church. Then, apparently, they got involved with a bad person or two and you can see that Satan has entered their life now and as they say, “in spades.”

Because most Christians are sensitive people, when we don’t have on the armor of God, when we don’t have the gift of discernment in knowing how to best deal with these troublemakers, they can easily get under our skin, disrupting our home and lives, pulling us into their lion’s den.

All it takes is one Satan filled demon from hell to turn your whole office, family and or friends against you.

At first, when you are the target, you think as a Christian that you can simply pray for them and be kind to them and they will change their ways. I considered that, and frankly I have been praying for the person for years. I prayed for them long before their jealousy of my life led them to try and destroy my ministry and my life.

Upon studying the Bible, regarding the way Jesus handled trouble makers, I came to the knowledge that Jesus used diverse ways in handling troublemakers. Some times he confronted them with anger and outrage while telling followers to pray for these people.

You can try ignoring them but most of them, I have found, become further upset and then do anything they can to get your attention.

I honestly believe the best way to handle them is to go to the people who no longer speak to you and tell them what you suspect the person, the troublemaker, of doing. Their favorite tactic is to tell someone you said something about them. Something hurtful. You can then try and set the record straight. Unfortunately these troublemakers are very skilled at what they do and sometimes the offended friend will NOT believe you.

To my friends in ministry, of any type, I want to warn you of something some of you already know and that is the fact that ministry can be very lonely. We have very few friends because of the anointing Christ has on our lives. Other Christians, out of jealousy, look for something to accuse you of. If you, being human, have a hard day and share that with a friend, the next thing you know it’s used against you. Be very careful of who you share with!

Troublemakers need to be exposed. I have found, as I fast and pray about the situation, God reveals to me how to deal with the problem. He also starts to out the troublemakers to others who then begin to see the truth.

You want to give a troublemaker as little ammunition against you as possible so, after praying, God may tell you to unfollow them on FB, and cut them out of your life. If you have to work with them plead the blood of Jesus over yourself anytime you come into contact with them. Ask God to turn the arrows they are attacking you with right back onto them. God once, during prayer, gave me a vision of a shield of armor surrounding me, as a circular fence. Every time the troublemaker shot malicious arrows my way they bounced off the shield of armor and went back onto the troublemaker.

Do not, and I know it’s so hard, get anxious about a troublemaker. Remember, and quote often, the following scripture;

“Greater is He who is within ME then he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4.

Lastly, the Word tells us to ignore troublemakers. Set things straight with others, if you can, and then simply try to not think of it all the time. Stop anxiety thoughts and place your mind elsewhere. Then give it to God and try to forgive them, through Christ, who has forgiven you and me of so very much!

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. – James 4:7

In His Unconditional Love,

Cathie