The Battlefield is Your Mind

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

(2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

One of my favorite authors wrote, "You must fight for your life." 

No, not fight physically, though, it may one day come to that. But rather, to fight spiritually; in your thoughts. 

The prize your Enemy wants to capture is your heart—but the battlefield is your mind.

Your Enemy is an unseen enemy who is very good at what he does. He's had at least 6,000 years to perfect his schemes.  And he is an enemy who never sleeps, who constantly comes against us 24/7, with one goal: to steal, to kill and to destroy.

Most of us will never correctly discern what we are going through and what we see happening in the world, until we see it in the context of war—a war against our minds and our hearts. 

When really bad things happen in this world, or, closer to home, sometimes people can think some really horrible things about God. "A loving God would never allow that to happen!" 

But the truth is, we all have the ability to freely choose how we live.  And there are consequences for our choices.  We are accountable.  All of us.  Call it what you will; "Karma," or, "You reap what you sow," or, "What comes around goes around."

So, before you blame God for the evils you see people committing every day, remember that we all are free to choose our own path. We are not programmed robots.  Your conscience tells you that what you are doing or thinking, is either right, or wrong. 

Don't blame someone else for the poor choices you've made—or are still making.

For followers of Christ, we have been told in advance, "We who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."  That unseen enemy that many of us act like does not even exist, is out to persecute and attack us continuously.  When you walk by faith and seek to be obedient to whatever God calls you to do, you paint a big bulls eye on your back.  You are now a target for a barrage of fiery arrows from the dark side.  You can count on it. 

We are at war. 

Those fiery arrows—or darts, are aimed at our minds, sent to capture our hearts. And they most often come in the form of lies, division, bitterness, unforgiveness, jealousy, suspicion, or accusation against someone in your life.  They take other forms too; lust, envy, idolatry, hatred, or complaining.  When we complain about our life or circumstances, we are basically telling God, "I can't trust You to manage my life!"

Be careful.

Your unseen enemy’s number one objective is to get you to believe his lying accusations against God in your mind and thoughts.  He wants you to think that God is not really for you, but that He is actually against you.  He wants you to think that God does not keep His promise to, "Cause all things to work together for good to those who love Him, and are called according to His purpose."  He wants you to think that God didn't mean it when He said, "I will never leave you or forsake you."

Our Enemy was a liar from the beginning and he is the father of lies. He only comes to steal, kill and destroy.  He wants to kill your peace and your joy.  He wants to steal your hope.  He wants to destroy your heart and your faith.  He wants to isolate you and get you to think horrible things about God.  

Don't believe his lies.

Paul writes of how to win this epic battle in the sixth chapter of his letter to the church in Ephesus:

”Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not war against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

Stay close to Jesus fellow soldier. 

Putting on the whole armor of God is to put on Christ.  Abide in Him. Draw close to Him.  Seek Him and ask Him in your times of prayer to draw you ever closer to Him, and to change your heart. Taking up the shield of faith is to place all of our trust in Christ for His strength, provision and protection.

The battle is for your heart, through your mind. Therefore, you have to change or renew  your thinking. And test every bad or wrong thought by the Word of God.

The Apostle Paul wrote:

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and prove what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)

The bottom line is: we must take captive every thought and make it obedient to the mind of Christ.

Therefore, have the mind of Christ, and surrender every space in your heart to God, that He may reign supreme there, always.

—As a close friend of mine often reminds me... "This is life or death!"

—God is Love, and Love Never Fails.

The Marriage Creed

"A new commandment I give to you: love one another—as I have loved you."

—Jesus

My wedding ring is a perfect picture of our marriage. 

After over twenty-six years, even though it has taken some hits, has some battle scars, and is missing a few gemstones; praise God—the circle remains unbroken.

This morning I was remembering a wedding gift that my parents gave us when we were first married.  It was a little plaque called "The Marriage Creed."  I have no idea what ever happened to it, but the message of the Marriage Creed has remained with us.  

I imagine in our frustration of trying to make a troubled marriage work, that the plaque probably got stuffed in a box somewhere and put away in the attic, because, no matter how hard we tried in our own strength and best intentions, we couldn't keep the 'ten commandments' of the marriage creed perfectly.

Without God's help and Him changing our hearts—we failed, and did so miserably.

Here are the timeless words that are inscribed on that little marriage plaque.

The Marriage Creed:

1.  Comfort Each Other

Provide a refuge and sanctuary for each other from the chill winds of the world. Your marriage is a hearth, from whence comes the peace, harmony and warmth of soul and spirit.

2.  Caress as You Would Be Caressed

Warm your loved one's body with your healing touch. Remember that as babies can die from a lack of touching, so can marriage wither from a lack of closeness.

3.  Be a Friend and a Partner

Friendship can be a peaceful island, separate and apart, in a world of turmoil and strife. Reflect upon the tranquility of the many future years you can share with a true friend and beware of becoming battling enemies under the same roof.

4.  Be Open With Each Other

Bind not yourselves in the secretness that causes suspicion and doubt. Trust and reveal yourselves to each other, even as the budding rose opens to reveal its fragrance and beauty.

5.  Listen To Each Other

And hear not only words, but also the non-language of tone, mood, and expression. Learn to listen to understand—rather than listening to argue.

6.  Respect Each Other

Remember that each is a person of flesh and blood, entitled to his or her own choices and mistakes. Each owns himself, and has the right to equality.

7.  Allow The Other To Be An Individual

Seek not to create for each other a new mold that can only fit with much discomfort and pain. Accept the other as they are, as you would have yourself accepted.

8.  Give Each Other Approval

Remember criticism divides, while compliments encourage confidence in the other. Hasten not to point out the other's mistakes, for each will soon discover his own.

9.  Cherish Your Union

Let no one come between your togetherness; not child, not friend, nor worldly goods. Yet maintain enough separateness to allow each other his—or her—own unique oneness.

10.  Love One Another

Love is your river of life—your eternal source of recreating yourselves. Above all else, love one another.

The heart of the message here is, unselfish love given sacrificially to one's spouse. "Prefer one another, and seek the good of each other over your own good."

For husbands, we are to lead in love.  Ephesians chapter 5:25-32 lines it out for us perfectly:

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church; for we are members of His body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery; but I am talking about Christ and the church."

So many husbands today are not giving themselves in love for their wives. 

Far too many men live as if their first "ministry" is their job.  This is so hurtful and destructive, and is not God's will.  Men, your first ministry before God is to sacrificially love and serve your wife.  Then your children come next (See # 9 in the Marriage Creed).  Everything else, including your job and/or any kind of "church ministry" comes after your wife and children.

Gentlemen; let the circle be unbroken. Let nothing come between you and your bride.

God gave you His own precious daughter—to be your wife to love and serve.  

And one day, we will all stand before Christ and give an account of how well we loved and served our wives with God's sacrificial love.

Lead courageously, lead compassionately, and lead in God's love.

Jesus said:

"A new commandment I give unto you:  Love one another—as I have loved you."

—God is Love, and Love Never Fails.

God's Precious Promises to you

"Which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 

(2 Peter 1:4)

Many of God's people today are living in fear, or have been neutralized and rendered ineffective, because they have listened to the Enemy of our souls—the father of lies, and have bought into the false accusations that the devil has made against them.

I believe the reason that many people are not living victoriously in Christ, is because they either do not remember who they are in Christ, or because they have never been taught who they are.

First and foremost, when you give your heart to Jesus Christ and are Born Again by God's Spirit—you become a son or daughter of God Himself.

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God." (Romans 8:14-16)

As God's own children, to you He has made many, many true and precious promises.

When the lying Enemy is trying to tell you that you are not really a child of God, that you're not saved, or that you're not going to make it, you cannot listen to these wicked voices. You must read, memorize, meditate on, and proclaim aloud the Word of God that tells you who you really are in Christ, and what God has promised to you as one of His children.

I believe that most anxiety, despair and even depression could be relieved, if people would stop listening to the Enemy, and stop buying into his lies. And instead, go to God's Word and believe what He says about you—and what He says about Himself—as your Heavenly Father.

Here is a short list of just a few verses (there are many more in the Bible) that proclaim God's promises, protection and provision to us—His children. I've personalized a few of them to emphasize these are God's promises to you—not just to some people in the Bible two or three thousand years ago. 

When you read through these verses, read them aloud. Proclaim them in faith. Personalize them. 

Own them.

They're yours.

GOD’s Precious Promises to you.

 “NO weapon formed against me shall prosper, and every voice which rises against me in judgment God shall condemn.”  (Isaiah 54:17)

 “For God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

 “Do not be afraid of their faces, For I Am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 1:8)

 “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord is my God. He is the One who goes with me. He will not leave me nor forsake me.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)

“They shall not prevail against me.”  (Jeremiah 1:19)

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)

“You have granted me life and favor, And Your care has preserved my spirit.” (Job 10:12)

 “The Lord is my strength, And He is the saving refuge of His anointed.´ (Psalm 28:8)

 “Trust in Him at all times; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” (Psalm 62:8)

 “But my eyes are upon You, O' GOD the Lord; In You I take refuge.”  (Psalm 141:8)

 “You shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch you out of My hand.” (John 10:28)

 “God shall supply all my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

 “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, My stronghold and my refuge; My Savior, You save me from violence. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.” (2 Sam 22:2-4)

 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27) 

This is God's Word.

Truth. 

Immutable. Unchanging. Rock-solid.

If you fill your heart and mind with God's Word, and His precious promises to you, there won't be room in your thoughts for the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Corruption, lust, immorality, perversion, wickedness—these things are all around us, every day, 24/7. But you don't have to fill your mind with these things. 

Mediate, chew on, digest, the Word of God.

And test every voice you hear, every teaching, and every man's opinion by the unchanging Word of God.

Then, when the lying voices of your Enemy come—and they will come—you will be equipped by the Word and by the Holy Spirit, to submit to God, and resist the devil. And God's Word promises that when you do this, the devil must flee.

—It's God's promise to you, and to me.

Believe it and receive it.

—God is Love, and Love Never Fails.

  

What Are You Feeding Your Heart?

"All ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them—and that Rock was Christ."

(1 Corinthians 10:3-4)

The above passage speaks of the Israelites being led out of bondage by Moses in the wilderness. However, most of them complained against God and "lusted after evil things", and as the Bible says:

"With them God was not well pleased." 

Sadly, most of them were scattered in the wilderness—victims of their own hardened hearts, murmuring, and unbelief.

How's your heart today?

The condition of your heart is determined by what you are feeding it.

Last week we purchased some strawberries, blueberries, bananas, sunflower seeds, honey, and a huge jug of Rice Protein Powder. We've been talking about eating healthier for months. And I've really been wanting to start making myself a healthy smoothie again every morning, like I used to when I was in great shape. 

But you know how that goes. 

Sometimes it's so much easier to procrastinate and just continue to eat fast food.

Fast food.

It doesn't require any work on my part to sit there and eat fast food. You fill yourself and then just want to lay down and take a nap. Lethargic, sleepy, unmotivated, sluggish—these words can all describe a person who has gorged themselves on comforting, fast food.

"Just let me watch the football game!" you say to your spouse who asked you to take out the garbage.

When you eat fast food on a daily basis, you don't feel like working at all. You get fat. You get sick. Sometimes you get diseases. Your joints begin to hurt. It's extremely hard to be productive.

Now think about how it affects you when all you eat is spiritual fast food.

Spiritually, you get lethargic, sleepy, unmotivated, sluggish. You can get spiritually sick. You're unproductive. And it's hard to get anything done.

You have to feed your body healthy things just as you have to feed yourself healthy things spiritually.

What are you feeding your heart?

Making myself a fresh fruit smoothie every morning takes some work. 

I have to get up a bit earlier than usual. I have to wash the blender and its components. Then I have to get the fruit out of the fridge. Next; get out the protein powder and almond milk. I have to slice the bananas. Then I need to measure out two tablespoons of protein powder. I assemble this all in the blender, and then add some honey and cinnamon. And then, if my wife is still asleep, I need to take our super-noisy blender out to the garage to run it, so I don't wake her up.

It would have been so much easier to just have a bowl of Captain Crunch, or get an Egg McMuffin on my way to work.

But it has been my taking the lazy man's path of least resistance—eating fast and easy comfort food every day—that brought me to the place where I am now seriously overweight and out of shape. 

And that's precisely what my sin has been: the sin of laziness.

My physical body is now sick—lethargic, sleepy, unmotivated, sluggish. 

It's much harder now for me to be productive.

I know what I need to eat, and how much I need to exercise to be healthy and fit the way I used to be. So, I know what to do.

The problem is I'm just not doing it.

This year, I am resolute to never again make a "New Year's Resolution."

Making half-hearted resolutions on New Year's Day, which you know deep-down, you're probably not going to keep, is called a "faulty change method." 

*(See James MacDonald's study on change; "Week 1: Take Out The Garbage"): http://www.harvest5g.org/newsletterentry.aspx?entry_id=264747&site_id=10735

It's so easy to say, "I am going to change."

But actually making the change is a different story altogether.

The best book I read in 2012 is, "I Really Do Want To Change: So, Help Me, God." (James MacDonald, Harvest Bible Chapel).

After identifying the top seven faulty change methods, MacDonald prescribes the only two things that can help us to actually change:

1.  Confess and admit to God—your problem is a Heart Problem.

2.  Turn to God—acknowledging that only He can change your heart.

Both of these prescribed things require that you go to God personally.

You have to get alone with Him, in a quiet place, and confess and admit that you have a heart problem. And then cry out to Him in desperation that you know that only He can change your heart. And then ask Him to change you.

He will absolutely meet you in that place if you truly come to Him in brokenness, humility and sincerity.

Feed your heart with the Presence of God. 

The Bible says, "Times of refreshing will come from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3:19)

As well as, "In Your presence is fullness of joy!" (Psalm 16:11)

The mistake that many people make in this instance, is to stop when they "don't feel anything."

You may feel something. Most often you may not.

It's not about feeling.  

It's about faith.

God promises in His Word—the Bible: "He is our very present help in time of need."

This is a Promise from our Father. It's not just text in an old book.

But remember, unbelief is what kept most of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness for 40 years before they finally died out there.

They refused to believe God.

Their hearts were hardened.

Remember, as it says in 1 Corinthians 10:3-4, our "Spiritual food and drink is Christ."

Our nourishment—our Life—is in Jesus Christ.

A personal relationship with Jesus is our only source of Life. He is your strength, your hope, your help, your joy, and your peace.

"And Jesus said to them: 'I Am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." (John 6:35)

But if you continue to feed your heart the same kind of evil stuff the wandering Israelites lusted after—fast, easy, worldly, spiritual junk food—you will only get fatter, lazier, more unproductive, and sicker. And you make yourself an easy target for the Enemy of your soul; who only comes to steal, kill and destroy you.

—What are you feeding your heart?

—God is Love, and Love Never Fails.

With All of Your Heart

"When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people—if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways—then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place."

(2 Chronicles 7:13-15) 

On the radio the other day I heard a guy say the average American "christian" can tell you who is currently in the lead on "Dancing with the Stars" and what football team is in first place on "Sports Center"—but most of us are asleep at the wheel when it comes to knowing the Word of God and discerning the spiritual times in which we live.

And I think he's absolutely correct—sad to say.

In the above passage from 2 Chronicles, most of the time people quote only verse 14: 

"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray..."

And certainly, we all want God to hear our prayers, forgive our sins, and heal our messed up land.

But I've noticed that, for some reason, verse 13 (which gives the context for verse 14) is always left out when people quote this passage. 

"When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people."

This an extremely sobering reminder that it is God who His judgement on any nation ("Christian" or not), who continues to reject Him, and sins against Him.

And we need remember that God is speaking to His people in this passage. 

We must repent of any wicked ways that we are practicing, if we want God to hear our prayers and heal our land.

Since we men are supposed to be the spiritual leaders in our homes, I am going to call out Christian men here. 

If you, mister Christian businessman, are praying for God to "heal your nation" and restore it to its former "godly Christian nation" status, but you are secretly surfing porn on the Internet at night after your wife and children have gone to bed, don't you think for one moment that God is going to listen to your polluted prayers. He is not going to heal your land when you are the one who is soiling it with your sin.

• Is this how you love God with all of your heart?
• Is this how you love and honor your wife & children?
• Is this what it means to you to be a man of integrity?

If you continue, unrepentant, practicing your sin, what you can expect is to bring further judgement from God on this nation. You can expect further locusts devouring the land. You can expect further droughts. And you can expect further pestilence.

If you say that you love God, then humble yourself. Pray and seek His face. And then turn from (repent of) your wicked ways.

Then, and only then, will God heed your prayers.

Then, and only then, will God be open to healing your land.

Fortunately, for all of us sinners, God has made this promise:

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

If God has convicted you today through this message, then share it with a brother, or two. With anyone who calls themselves a "Christian" but who is practicing sin.

—Love the Lord your God with all of your heart.

—God is Love, and Love Never Fails.

The Crown of Life

"Blessed is the man who endures temptation: for when he has been tried, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." 

(James 1:12)

When I read the phrase, The Crown of Life, the first thing that comes to mind is a shiny, golden crown.

And honestly, as a follower of Christ, who wouldn't want that? 

After years of suffering, trials, temptations, heartache, and the promised persecution the Bible says all who desire to live godly in Christ shall receive, a nice shiny, golden crown as a reward for all of our suffering would be really wonderful.

But after studying this passage and the original Greek word for "crown" a shiny golden crown is not the intended meaning of the word as I understand it.

The original word used in the Bible for crown is "Stefanos. The primary root of the word is "stepho" which means; "to twine or wreathe."

A Stephanos crown was the kind of award a Greek athlete would win as a prize in the ancient Olympic games. But this crown was not made of gold. It was woven from branches, probably those from an Olive tree. Think of a Christmas wreath which is woven from fir tree branches.

What is really amazing to me about the word Stephanos, is this is the same Greek word used for the Crown of Thorns that was forced down upon Jesus' head as He was being beaten and mocked by Roman guards before He was crucified.

"And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe." (John 19:2) 

To be honest, I don't know if I would want the same crown of thorns that Jesus was given. His persecution and suffering are beyond my comprehension.

But the Bible does speak of us as being partakers in the fellowship of His suffering.

 "And be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith—that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death." (Philippians 3:9-10)

"The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." (Romans 8:16-18)

How do I even begin to process that? I will someday be "glorified together" with Jesus Christ? The Lord of lords and the King of kings? 

How can that possibly be?

It's true. This is the future of faithful followers of Christ. And it's all by God's grace. We don't deserve it, can't earn it by doing good works, and can't keep it by our good works.

Grace: God's unmerited, undeserved favor.

Here is the only true response any of us who love Jesus could possibly demonstrate in His presence:

"The twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:

"You are worthy, O' Lord, to receive glory, honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created." (Revelation 4:10-11) 

How could I possibly want a crown, when I am a sinner who could never pay my sin-debt, to the sinless One who paid my debt that He did not owe?

"Oh, Lord, give me—a man so unworthy—Your grace on that Day, to toss any crown I might receive, at Your feet."

The apostle Peter, who was no stranger to trials and suffering, wrote:

"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:6-7)

We can greatly rejoice in our trials and suffering because it's just for a little while longer. And after it is over, we will forever be in the glorious presence of the King of kings. In His presence there will be no more tears, or sickness, or suffering, or death.

The Crown deserving of the King alone, is the royal Diadem (Greek, diadema). A shiny golden crown, decked with precious jewels. This royal crown, or diadem, is reserved for God Almighty alone.

"Now I saw Heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns (diadem). He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called the Word of God." (Revelation 19:11-13)

Jesus Christ is the Lord of lords and the King of kings. He alone could atone (pay the penalty) for the sin of mankind.

He alone is worthy to wear the Royal Diadem—the golden crown of The King—for He alone was worthy to wear the Crown of Thorns. 

As we endure the grievous trials, persecution, and suffering that are part of the life of a faithful follower of Christ, may we greatly rejoice in this—knowing that the sufferings of this life can in no way compare to what awaits us on that Day that we meet Jesus Christ face-to-face.

"For I suppose that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18)

—The crown of life.

—God is Love, and Love Never Fails.

Don't Take The Bait

"Do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil."

(Ephesians 4:26-27)

Something I've learned the hard way—is that you must not keep a record of wrongs done against you.

And whether or not those 'wrongs' were things that people did to actually hurt you, or they were simply perceived wrongs, doesn't matter.

You have to forgive and you have to let it go. If you don't, it will eat you up inside to the point that it will destroy you.

It will be your downfall.

I believe this sinister ability to cause offense and stir up bitterness between God's people to be one of the most effective schemes that our Enemy, Satan has in dividing us; causing dissension, and turning the footholds we give him into spiritual strongholds, that can lead to our demise.

And so often, we take the bait.

This is what it means to "give place to the devil."

Because of our selfish pride and inordinate self-focus, most of us are so overly-sensitive and easily wounded by things people do and say, that we unknowingly cause cracks in our own spiritual armor, leaving us open and vulnerable to the fiery darts of  the wicked one, who only comes to steal, kill and destroy.

And what I've discovered about myself, is that even perceived wrongs done to others, is a weapon of Satan, formed against us to cause bitterness and unforgiveness in our hearts—all designed to tear us apart.

'Divide and conquer' is one of his primary methods of operation.

Satan is the author of confusion, the father of a lie, and the accuser of the brethren. And so often he tries to convince us that someone wronged a friend of ours and then he stirs up trouble by planting seeds of division and accusation in our minds. Then once we've taken the bait, we begin to tell others about these perceived wrongs and a spark of gossip quickly becomes a wildfire of accusation.

The Bible warns us of the destructive dangers of this kind of gossip:

"Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell." (James 3:5-6)

To this very day, perhaps my greatest internal struggle is holding onto my bitterness and unforgiveness towards others, for what I 'perceive' to be the wrongs they have committed against me, or against people that I know.

"I can't believe he did that!"

But the saddest part is that when I refuse to forgive—when I keep a record of perceived wrongs and I harbor bitterness in my heart—I make myself a prisoner of my own hardened heart and unforgiveness.

Jesus said:

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny." (Matthew 5:21-26)

Bitterness and unforgiveness is a self-imposed prison, from which there is no escape, until you choose to forgive and let it go. As Jesus said, "You will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny."

And this is one of the main ways that most people "give place" to Satan on a regular basis, giving him a foothold that he can quickly turn into a spiritual stronghold in your life.

Your Enemy uses this stronghold of bitterness and unforgiveness to destroy marriages, kill friendships, and steal your joy.

Don't give him any footholds in your heart or mind.

Daily, we have to put on the whole armor of God, that we may be able to withstand the constant barrage of fiery attacks from the devil.

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints." (Ephesians 6:10-16)

Our battle is not with people. It's not with our families, our co-workers, our boss, or even those who would choose to be our enemies.

It's a spiritual battle, and the weapons of our warfare are faith, the Word of God, and prayer. These are the weapons we have been given that are effective at demolishing the spiritual strongholds of our Enemy.

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

We know what the Word says. We are not ignorant of Satan's schemes. He comes to divide and conquer; to steal, kill and destroy. His most effective traps are stirring up bitterness and unforgiveness by trying to cause God's people to be offended by one another.

—Don't take the bait.

—God is Love, and Love Never Fails.