photograph by Sarah-Jane Ethan Photography
From sun up to sun down and beyond even into our dreams we hear that hostile voice.
The one that tells us we are a failure; unlovable; un-respected; unwanted; not enough but also too much all at the same time.
It is the voice of an enemy who never sleeps. Who has a plan of combat against you and your identity since he fell from heaven. His well thought out schemes have been tried and tested on generation after generation leading to many rejecting God but also many believers deceived into living a second rate life. He comes to kill, steal and destroy.
We will be looking into the nature of 'steal' in this post.
Many believers live life believing everything should go smoothly for them and they are genuinely confused and troubled when they hit trials, tribulations, discomfort, stumbling blocks and disappointments.
" Satan loves to play on these and stir up feelings which set themselves up against the knowledge of God. "
'Perhaps God isn't going to come through for me'. 'Perhaps I have to push through myself'. 'I've been waiting too long, I really need a partner so why shouldn't I date that unbeliever who's shown interest?'. 'Perhaps God doesn't do such a good job watching over my life, I'm just hitting one problem after the other'. 'If only this, if only that'.
" If we aren't careful satan's words can become our thoughts. Dwell on them and you're on your way to defeat. He knows that too."
The unfruitful 2 step ministry
#1 Ministering to ourself
The fact is when we come up against the enemies' lies and attacks we can often approach from a place of defeat. Mulling over what a difficult situation we are in. Entertaining fear with the possibility that we will never be free. Depressing ourselves wondering why the answer to all our problems seems to be so hard to achieve.
#2 Ministering to others
Finally we pluck up the courage to tell our friends and spend a whole coffee date wallowing with them in the emotions of the trial. Perhaps we'll pray together to finish and say things to God such as 'Father God help .... through this tough time, we pray an end to it in Jesus's name'.
Or we ask God for what we consider to be the antidote NOW. As if he won't or hasn't provided the answer.
The ONLY key to your dynamite potential
The truth is the answer has already been provided.
John 8:32 says 'you shall know the truth and the TRUTH will sent you free'. Is Satan hearing more truth from your mouth than you are hearing lies from his? That is the ONLY weapon you have to fight with. Ephesians 6:17 says we fight and advance with the sword of the spirit, which is the word. The bible. The truth. Not with waiting or praying for the feeling that we will be victorious. Or desperately needing to FEEL acceptance, love, victory and blaming God when he doesn't give it to us.
" Let me ask you again how much are you speaking scripture out loud? We are closer to victory then defeat. Because we are in Christ and Christ has overcome the world. "
From sun up to sun down and beyond even into our dreams we hear that hostile voice.
The one that tells us we are a failure; unlovable; un-respected; unwanted; not enough but also too much all at the same time.
It is the voice of an enemy who never sleeps. Who has a plan of combat against you and your identity since he fell from heaven. His well thought out schemes have been tried and tested on generation after generation leading to many rejecting God but also many believers deceived into living a second rate life. He comes to kill, steal and destroy.
We will be looking into the nature of 'steal' in this post.
Many believers live life believing everything should go smoothly for them and they are genuinely confused and troubled when they hit trials, tribulations, discomfort, stumbling blocks and disappointments.
" Satan loves to play on these and stir up feelings which set themselves up against the knowledge of God. "
'Perhaps God isn't going to come through for me'. 'Perhaps I have to push through myself'. 'I've been waiting too long, I really need a partner so why shouldn't I date that unbeliever who's shown interest?'. 'Perhaps God doesn't do such a good job watching over my life, I'm just hitting one problem after the other'. 'If only this, if only that'.
" If we aren't careful satan's words can become our thoughts. Dwell on them and you're on your way to defeat. He knows that too."
The unfruitful 2 step ministry
#1 Ministering to ourself
The fact is when we come up against the enemies' lies and attacks we can often approach from a place of defeat. Mulling over what a difficult situation we are in. Entertaining fear with the possibility that we will never be free. Depressing ourselves wondering why the answer to all our problems seems to be so hard to achieve.
#2 Ministering to others
Finally we pluck up the courage to tell our friends and spend a whole coffee date wallowing with them in the emotions of the trial. Perhaps we'll pray together to finish and say things to God such as 'Father God help .... through this tough time, we pray an end to it in Jesus's name'.
Or we ask God for what we consider to be the antidote NOW. As if he won't or hasn't provided the answer.
The ONLY key to your dynamite potential
The truth is the answer has already been provided.
John 8:32 says 'you shall know the truth and the TRUTH will sent you free'. Is Satan hearing more truth from your mouth than you are hearing lies from his? That is the ONLY weapon you have to fight with. Ephesians 6:17 says we fight and advance with the sword of the spirit, which is the word. The bible. The truth. Not with waiting or praying for the feeling that we will be victorious. Or desperately needing to FEEL acceptance, love, victory and blaming God when he doesn't give it to us.
" Let me ask you again how much are you speaking scripture out loud? We are closer to victory then defeat. Because we are in Christ and Christ has overcome the world. "
"However there are 2 systems at work, the plan of the enemy to condemn you and the plan of the Lord to convince you of your righteousness. The choice is yours who you partner with."
One doesn't just happen, it takes our willing partnership. The bible says 'as a man thinks in his heart so he is' because what goes in will almost definitely come out your mouth at some point.
" Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey " Romans 6:16
So are you wallowing and letting the devil convince you everything is too hard, offering yourself to your 'feelings' ? (which will come out and manifest themselves as defeat) or are you meditating on scripture? Notice I said meditating and not reading; allowing it to fall from your head to your heart and then manifest itself in your life as victory?
Even Jesus when he was being tempted fought back with scripture, declaring that we 'do not live by bread [natural things] alone but by every word that comes from God's mouth'. The words in scripture are living, breathing and active. Even able to separate soul and spirit.
Soul being your mind which reasons and your spirit man being that which was given to you by God. The word divides you, so that you can listen to your inner man of faith, who is nobler than your mind.
Whats more, when you don't converse with the enemy but rather use his attacks as an opportunity to turn your back on him and speak to God, declaring the exact opposite over your life, you will find that the condemning voice has only thrust you deeper into the presence of God and your relationship with him.
That voice can actually cause you to become more blessed as you use it to grow in intimacy with the father. Plus its depressing talk starts to sound more and more alien and ridiculous.
Many people will be in the Kingdom of Heaven but not everyone will have lived a victorious life on earth because they were robbed by the enemy's lies by accepting every thought in their head as their own.
" NOT EVERY THOUGHT IS YOUR OWN. Not every FEELING is your own."
Thoughts and feelings change with the wind and can be influenced but the truth is trustworthy. You can stake your life on it. Live your life by it and you would be wise to do so. It will do you good all the days of your life here AND beyond! Fight with it!
I for one do not want to get to heaven and have missed out.
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