DEFEATING THE LIES OF THE ENEMY
I just blew it by getting frustrated with a family member and returned hurtful words with my own hurtful darts in response. As soon as I said these words, I knew they hit their mark and I had hurt someone I love dearly. I desperately wanted to change how I responded in anger and how I felt, but that’s not the real issue. I realize I need to change what I believe.
2 Corinthians 2:11b
We should not be ignorant of Satan’s schemes.
The word for schemes is noema meaning mind. Too often we believe Satan’s lies because we don’t realize we are listening to his voice. Then we act on those lies and chaos breaks out. It can be so disorienting and confusing trying to live in right relationship with God and with other people then feeling guilt and shame when we make a mess of things because we listened to the wrong voice and believed a lie over God’s truth.
Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Instead of asking the question “what should do”, we need to start with “what do I believe.” To walk in freedom successfully, we need to understand where our thoughts come from. If the thoughts are binding and discouraging, they are from the enemy not from the Lord. When I humble myself and quietly ask Christ to bring to my mind the things I need to confess, then I hear His voice through His word and His Spirit, and I repent of my sin and feel encouraged.
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through these scriptures?
