Although I have been keeping up with other blogs, I have been neglecting my own blog and realized it has been over a month since I've posted anything. It's partially due to the fact that I haven't had a whole lot of inspiration with topics and it's partially due to my laziness.
The theme for this past month for me, oddly enough, has been spiritual warfare. I don't have the first hand experience, but I have seen first hand the result of a battle worn soldier. No matter what context, war is never a good thing. I think the majority of the Christian world likes to ignore this part of being a Christian, but we are in the middle of the battle field. "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." - John 8:44 It's a very unpleasant thought, it's something I don't like to dwell on because I prefer to dwell on the greatness of God ( I mean who doesn't???), but it's something that cannot be ignored. In retrospect, it's amazing how much I did let Satan and the world control my life, my thoughts and my actions. When I would hear prayer, Jesus' name, ANYTHING to do with God I would quickly become uncomfortable. I have done a lot of things I very deeply regret, and although I take full personal responsibility for my actions, I can truly see the hand of darkness guiding me during those times. The worst part is, I welcomed it. Time and time again I welcomed it with open arms. There are so many things in this world that Satan is able to use as a foothold. When you open the door to sin, even just to peer inside, Satan and his demons will claw that door open wide and force themselves into your life. I've seen him destroy lives from the inside, out. I hear his lies on a daily basis coming from people of the world. I hear his lies coming out of my own mouth. For the longest time, I thought the only thing I could do was hide and play defense against his forces. However, I've been recently growing more empowered to start taking on offensive positions. "I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you" -Luke 10:19 God has given us 'supernatural' powers. I hate using that word solely because of the context the world has given it, but it's true. Because of Christ, we ALL hold the spirit of God within us. By submitting our hearts to Him, we have been granted so much more than we can even fathom. It's very easy for me to get overwhelmed by the darkness in the world. My heart breaks for all those who are completely spiritually blind, and I have a tendency to dwell in the heart break (I've learned I'm a very empathetic person). BUT: "When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" -John 8:12. Just one light can overcome darkness. Sitting in a dark room, even just a sliver of light cuts through darkness. We have so much more than just a sliver of light, we have the light of the world.
The threat of Satan is REAL and it can be manifested in more ways than we can imagine. It may not be my place to talk about it, but there is someone very close to me having serious struggles on the spiritual battlefield. Satan is attacking his thoughts, his dreams, and any aspect of this person's life he possibly can. If anyone has ever experienced anything even close to this, you'll know how heart wrenching it is to stand back and watch. I truly believe God has been bringing all of these verses and all of the discussion in my Bible study to tell me I have the power to do more than just stand back and watch through Him. I plan to take a more offensive stand in my home. I plan to make a healing environment where Satan has no footholds. I refuse to allow him to break down this person's life.
Sorry once again if this is all over the place. I'm still working out the art of expression... It's hard to put to words everything in my head in a coherent way that flows together. However, I leave you with this...
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." - Ephesians 6:10-18
Redeemed
About
About Me
- Lauren H.
- I am a follower of Christ who continuously strives to grow and learn more about Him. I am the birth mother of an AMAZING little girl, and it is a story that gives me goosebumps to this day. I am the mother of one beautiful, brilliant, strong-willed little girl Scarlet, who refines and teaches me joy anew every day. I don't know what God has in store for us, but I look forward to sharing each step of our journey.
3 comments:
Stop appologizing for your rambling posts. This one was fantastic. I might read this in a devotional book. Oh the battle,I think one of Satan's tricks is getting us forget it is a battle. We must always be aware and on guard. I have been in James lately and can't stop thinking about 1:21, "therefore, get rid of all moral filth..." Not that anything immediately pops into my head (well maybe the Disney channel?) but I keep asking myself if what we are doing or have in our lives is Godly or a window for Satan to enter. I will be praying for you and Sam.
I was trying to find where I read this, I truly can't remember, but I read something about a woman in Africa I think who was approached by a young boy asking if he could be a servant in her household. She agreed and he stayed there for a few months, then announced he was leaving. She asked why he was leaving, and he told her he wanted to see what each religion was truly like. He said she was the example of a Christian household and he was ready to move on to see what a Muslim household was like. She was a little embarrassed and concerned about the image she had portrayed of what being a Christian was like. It made her realize that we shouldn't be 'acting' as Christians when necessary, that it should be our entire life to glorify God at any second. That really hit home for me because I really sat and thought about what kind of image I'm portraying in my own home. Are there things I would be ashamed to show if I were put on display? I've been doing a lot of de-cluttering of those kinds of things and it has been truly liberating. It's amazing what can truly hold us in bondage.
What an excellent, truthful post! I loved it! I agree wholeheartedly with what you wrote, and think it is such an important reminder. I have been feeling a similar "call to arms" in terms of being on the offense on behalf of those I love who are under attack (and on my own behalf!).
You're right - it's not just important to be on the defense. The passage about the armor of God has one offensive weapon - God's Word. And how Satan tries to keep us from knowing it and using it! And the end of the passage focuses on the importance of prayer and being alert... also things Satan attacks through various distractions. I'll be praying for you, my dear, and I covet your prayers too!
Keep writing! And we should catch up on the phone sometime soon too!
Love!
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