[The paragraph below contains new material which I have just inserted of necessity into my recent article about the hostility of the world towards disciples of Christ. I wanted to ensure that everyone sees this insertion, so I have put it here in a standalone post. However, if you want to read the whole article, or see the quote below in its context, the link is here: https://diakrisis-project.com/2026/09/06/the-secret-and-not-so-secret-hostility-of-the-world-to-disciples-of-christ-and-his-truth-plus-understanding-the-reasons-why-this-happens/ . Thank you! Here is the inserted paragraph]

Whatever that fiery trial — whether it comes in the form of bigtime persecution by being arrested for proclaiming the Gospel on the High Street; or receiving scorn from family members, friends and relatives, because they know about your faith; or being on the end of insults simply for being spiritually wise — it should never take you by surprise. I should also say that some kind of hostility can also come at you ‘out of the blue’ not necessarily because of something specifically “Christian” that you have said or done at the time to warrant it. Because you are a devout disciple of Christ, the demonic realm will be well aware of that and thus can incite any of those humans under its power (cf. 1 John 5:19) to confront you at any time: An inexplicable act of road-rage; a supermarket checkout person’s rudeness, co-workers or bosses constantly undermining you; someone passing you in the street with a snarl, etc. However, I say this not to encourage you to become paranoid! For this should not be taken to mean that every act of hostility towards you has to be a direct result of demonic interference. I am simply saying that it could be — especially if you have recently achieved something of significance in terms of your faith and action, or because you have drawn closer to God and have grown significantly in your dependence on Him. If that is the case, it will be happening deliberately by permission of God to test you. Yes, God uses Satan to test you (see, e.g., 2 Corinthians 12:5-10). For as far as God is concerned, Satan is just a tool for His great use. Therefore, if He used Satan to test a man like Job who was already “blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil” (Job 1:1 with Job 1:6-12), He will certainly do so with you and me who are nowhere near on Job’s level of godliness!

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© Copyright, Alan Morrison, 2026
[The copyright on my works is merely to protect them from any wanton plagiarism which could result in undesirable changes (as has actually happened!). Readers are free to reproduce my work, so long as it is in the same format and with the exact same content and its origin is acknowledged]

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