As humans, we are habitual offenders when it comes to feeding ourselves death everyday. And what I mean by death, is anything that is negatively affirming, untrue, or self-degrading. Such as:
-I'm such a screw up
-I'm such a bad Mom/Dad
-I'm not cut out for this
-I'm too far gone to come to God
-I'll never be able to accomplish this
-I don't like who I am
-I can't do this
STOP, STOP, STOP, STOP, allowing the enemy to feed you lies everyday. Stop letting the world and your flesh to feed you lies everyday. Because the moment you allow these lies to take root in your mind, you begin to feed yourself death.
The Bible tells us to, "Guard your heart above all else , for it determines the course of your life." Proverbs 4:23. And in the GNT translation the same verse is translated to, "Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts." Our lives are shaped by our thoughts. What we put into our minds directs the course of our lives. If we are constantly allowing these negative and untrue thoughts to take root and grow, eventually our lives are going to become a reality of those same thoughts. Those "dead roots" are going to grow into dead fruits, producing nothing of purpose or meaning.
The Bible says in Romans 12:2, "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's Will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." I think for most Christians we want to know God's Will for our lives so badly, that we miss the point. If we are constantly allowing negative thoughts to take root, and allowing them to grow into our lives, we fail to see God's Will. We fall to see it because we are too distracted thinking about all these negative things that bring death, instead of focusing on the one who brings life. Like Romans 12:2 said, "Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think."
If we are not looking to God to renew our minds or to change our perspectives, than it is impossible. We can't do anything in our own strength. Our minds are too feeble, their too weak, evil, and destructive. And God knows this. Psalm 103:13-14 says, "The Lord is like a Father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him. For He knows how weak we are; He remembers we are only dust." He knows, He gets it! He created every intricate detail of our being. He understands us more than anyone else, even more than we understand ourselves. That is why it is so important for us, as children of God, to stay connected with Him. He knew we'd be tempted and weighed down with negative thoughts, that is why He made us a way out. How? His infallible Word. God's breathed Word, the Bible. And prayer, going before the throne of God, humbly and honestly seeking His guidance and counsel. Jeremiah 17:9 says, "The human heart is deceitful(guilty) of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?"
Our hearts are deceitful and wicked, and Jesus says in Matthew 15:18, "But the words you speak come from the heart- that's what defiles you." He's not just talking about the words we speak verbally, but also the words we think as well. Our words and our thoughts can defile and destroy us. And it is only God who can fill us with His truth, it is only God who can renew our minds, it is only God who can feed and give us life, but we have to let Him. This is not a battle against flesh and blood. This is a spiritual battle that we cannot fight alone. We are too weak. The Bible says in Ephesians 6:12, "For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against the evil rulers, and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." This is a spiritual battle. We cannot do this alone. We need God. God did not promise that we would never suffer, John 16:33 Jesus says, "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."
God declared victory from the beginning through Christ Jesus. He has already won. When we become children of God, we inherit a remnant of Jesus light. But we live in a dark world. A dark world that absolutely hates the light to it's core. So we will go through and face many things throughout our lives, but we need to take heart and remind ourselves, that this same world hated Jesus too. He suffered a suffering we will never have to experience, yet He has overcome the world. I heard something last winter as I was driving listening to the K-Love Radio Station that spoke to me and I've never forgotten it: "Presentation means nothing in battle unless your prepared." Is it possible to go into battle unprepared and without training? Absolutely not! That is why it is crucial for us Christian's to put on the Full Armor of God. (Ephesians 6:10-18
-The Belt of Truth
-The Breastplate of Righteousness
-The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
-The Shield of Faith
-The Helmet of Salvation
-The Sword of the Spirit
Hebrews 4:12 says,
"For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires."
The Word of God is our ultimate weapon to conquer negative, deadly thoughts. The Word of God will pour life into us. So if any of you reading this are anything like me, who battles with deadly thoughts almost daily, know that you are not the only one, and that it is the Word of God that cuts through every lie sent for us to believe, and reveals the truth about who we really are to the King. I have some verses I'd like to share with you today for some encouragement, please check them out:
-Joshua 1:9
-Philippians 1:6
-Psalms 145:14
-Philippians 4:6
-Isaiah 41:13
-John 16:33
God is here, He always has been and He always will be. As the enemy stands to accuse us before God, Jesus stands to defend us and to acquit us of ALL charges! The battle has already been won. The enemy has no power over Jesus. The more you allow Jesus to speak life into your life, the less room the devil has to feed you death. Start speaking life into yourself today. I promise you won't regret it or forget it. Get in your Bible, stay in prayer, putting on the Full Armor of God and staying steadfast in your faith. God's got you! Don't ever lose sight of who you are to the king.
Blessings,
-Chelsey
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