Anytime we step out to believe God for something, the enemy tries to throw us off course with thoughts of doubt and discouragement. I believe one of the main ways he comes at us is with the word "if."
Think about the word "if" for a minute. "If" implies uncertainty. It implies doubt. That's exactly what the enemy wants to instill in you—uncertainty and doubt! One of the main keys to overcoming in life is to overcome the big "if" in our minds.
In scripture, there was a time when Jesus went out into the wilderness. It says He hadn't eaten for 40 days. He was obviously alone, so guess who showed up? The "big If" himself! The tempter, the accuser, the enemy, the devil came and tried to tempt Him.
Now, just before He went out into the wilderness, Jesus was baptized and a booming voice came out of heaven saying, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." He was publicly affirmed and honored by God the Father, and then the Spirit of God lead Him out into the desert. This is where the testing of His faith came in. There's a lot that happened that we aren't told about, but we do know that Jesus was there with no food or water. Along comes the enemy saying, "If you are the Son of God, why don't you take these stones and turn them into bread."
He offered Him a temporary fix, but Jesus wasn't interested in a temporary fix; He was interested in an eternal solution. Jesus had to stand strong against the temptations of the enemy and press past the "big If."
The enemy always tries to dispute our identity and confidence. He tries to dispute our worth and make us doubt who we are. But Jesus didn't have to prove Himself. Do you know how Jesus resisted the "big If?" By the Word of God! He said, "Man doesn't live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." He was saying, "No Devil, I don't owe you an explanation. I don't have to prove who I am. I know who I am, and I have been affirmed by Almighty God in heaven!"
Today, know that because Jesus beat the "big If," so can you! The next time the enemy tries to get you to doubt God's Word, the next time he tries to steal your confidence, declare God's Word out loud. Find where that promise is written because with Jesus, it's not a matter of if; it's a matter of when!