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Author Topic: Don't Be Bullied By The Devil  (Read 2396 times)
Janet Easson Martin
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« on: July 12, 2016, 08:11:58 pm »

Don't Be Bullied By The Devil


It seems that often when God is leading you to trust him and take some kind of action, the devil comes along to try to steer you away from your "kingdom" focus.  He may simply you distract you from carrying out your faith. He might discourage your efforts by condemning you for past failures or convincing you that you didn't REALLY hear from God.  He may remind you of something you need that you don't have and blame Jehovah-jireh, the great provider for your so called "lack" to throw you off.

He knows the joy that comes from focusing on Him is addicting and that you will want more of it. So, don't be bullied by his tactics that you're acting as a a hypocrite when you're not feeling spiritual.  That your not  enough. That your track record is poor.  That is NOT how God remembers you.  That is NOT what he accomplished at the cross for you.  Every day, every moment is a new moment, a clean slate, in THE BLOOD.  That is why the Word of God tells us believers:  "the blood of Christ CLEANSES our conscious to serve the living God".  Christ made us to do "Kingdom" work and to glorify himself in our carrying that out by pure faith,  not by man-made qualifications or feelings.  So, when you're prompted by the Spirit to take action, don't be bullied by the devil that your feelings and man-made qualifications don't match.




« Last Edit: July 26, 2016, 07:22:30 pm by Janet Easson Martin » Logged

For grace is given not because we have done good works, but in order that we may be able to do them.        - Saint Augustine
Janet Easson Martin
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« Reply #1 on: July 25, 2016, 08:01:58 pm »

Stopping Self-Condemnation


One thing that seems to drag many of us down is self-condemnation.  It most often positions us right where Satan wants us - to falsely believe we are not good enough to receive grace or to be used by him so that we draw back instead of reaching out to touch others.  He relishes in accusing us day and night to thwart what God can do through us.  The following are excerpted lines from a very helpful article, "Two Words to Stop Self-Condemnation", on this struggle by Christine Hoover (desiringgod.org):


"I am not sweet. I should be, but I’m not...

...I couldn’t find a way to hide from all the thoughts, all the condemning thoughts of everything I am not...

...I am not a good enough Christian for God to use...

...We are hard on ourselves, quick to point an accusatory finger inward, and prone to believe our condemning thoughts are directed by God himself...

...When we feel condemnation our immediate response is to prop ourselves up with self-esteem platitudes or to turn to others who may offer us praise. These are crutches. The truth is we aren’t good enough...

...It may seem counter-intuitive to battle the “not good enoughs” by agreeing that we’re not good enough, but this is the first step toward lasting joy...

...we must learn to look at our insufficiencies and then add two words on the end of them: But God or But Christ...

...What sweet peace to rest in the work of Christ rather than parsing, evaluating, and self-defending our own abilities!...

...What joy to know that God has made provision not just for our salvation but for our everyday lives!"...




The link to the whole article is:

http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/two-words-to-stop-self-condemnation


« Last Edit: July 28, 2016, 09:59:42 am by Janet Easson Martin » Logged

For grace is given not because we have done good works, but in order that we may be able to do them.        - Saint Augustine
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