Spiritual warfare is real. We all have a very real adversary and we all, from time to time, come under attack from the enemy. As I was thinking about spiritual warfare, I was reminded of the three Rs that we can put to practice in our lives.
Recognize, Refuse and Resist
Recognize the devil… that is when an evil thought comes. These are thoughts that you know God did not put there. The devil uses our minds to attack us. Satan uses our thoughts to fill us with worry, doubt, resentment, anger, etc. The bible reminds is in Colossians 3:2 (NIV) Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Refuse, that means do not entertain the thought. Refuse to give the evil thought any attention. Believers are told to "take every thought captive" that doesn't conform to Christ's standards. We must evaluate every one of our actions, desires, and impulses, and bring everything under the control of Jesus.
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV) 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.
Resist, if the devil keeps coming back resist him. We have the authority and the ability to do that.
Matthew 16:23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."
James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
No comments:
Post a Comment