Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.
We can live victorious lives if we know how to prepare for the battles. We don’t have to give in to Satan’s attempts to control us through temptations. We are called to guard our hearts, and we do that by God’s truth renewing us and cleansing us from negative thoughts and emotions. Fear and guilt truly is the devil’s playground. Are there any negative thoughts or emotions that you consistently struggle with that Satan uses against you? Anytime we have a negative emotion, we’ve just given Satan a foothold in your life, and we’re going to be more vulnerable to those temptations. The enemy wants you to focus on your feelings that come from the temptations he’s bombarding you with. He’s aiming at your thoughts and emotions, so you focus on your behavior, instead of your true identity in Christ.
How does Satan use negativity to create confusion in your life?
Ephesians 4:27
Do not give the devil a foothold.
Satan is an effective manipulator who will play all day with your emotions through lies and shame if you allow yourself to be used by him, by doubting God’s truth about who He says you are through His word. As soon as you are struggling emotionally, he brings on guilt and shame. Negativity gives Satan an advantage. You don’t need to be an emotional person to have Satan abuse you with these schemes. The only way you’ll be able to fight any persistent temptation in your life is to identify the emotions that make you vulnerable, then, refocus your mind on what God’s word says, so that you can replace those negative emotions with God’s love and truth.
Spend some time asking the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas of your life where you are living in fear or confusion. Then wait for Him to answer.
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through these scriptures?
