Winning or losing? It is up to you...

The Holy Spirit began speaking to me about how Christian today are failing to fulfill their purpose and destiny in Jesus, and spread the gospel. This next season, as the body of Christ and His church, we will be seeking our roles in the body, but first, we need to focus on how to clear out the Enemy by doing away with his lies and the chains that he uses to keep us from allowing God to work through us. Our adversary is Satan, and he will use any means available to keep you from helping others to find their way to God. If Satan can make you feel unworthy, he has broken your faith for all of Christianity is based on the belief that through faith we are forgiven and worthy of salvation. Creating doubt in the basic belief that the death of Jesus on the cross is enough to bring immediate and complete forgiveness all our sins and shortcomings so that the Holy Spirit may lead us and use us to bring others to God is the goal of the enemy. Allowing yourself to feel condemned can open you to the curses of the enemy while robbing you of the blessings bought with the blood of your savior.

God’s word sums it up as Paul writes to the churches in Galatians who were being led away from a faith/trust in salvation through Jesus toward a “you must follow the law of the old testament” practice and belief. Galatians 3:13-14 (AMP) 13”Christ purchased our freedom and redeemed us from the curse of the Law and its condemnation by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs(crucified)on a tree (cross)”—14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might also come to the Gentiles, so that we would all receive [the realization of] the promise of the [Holy] Spirit through faith.

Attacks from Satan attempt to do one or all of the following three things to separate us from God’s love:

1. Prevent us from believing that we are “Redeemed you from the curse”- curses are sickness and disease (Deuteronomy 28:16). Yes, you are redeemed from sickness and disease by the death of Jesus. If your illness is keeping you from being a testimony for Jesus or bringing joy and love to others, claim your redemption and command the enemy to leave you alone.

2. A quick summary of the blessings is found in Deuteronomy 2:13 “in Christ Jesus the blessings of Abraham might also come to the Gentiles”-. Basically, we can claim blessings on everything from our children’s lives to our work, to our future investments. God wants us to be prosperous so that we can be joyful and bless others in His name. If we are not blessed, and our children are not blessed, start claiming it. The enemy wants us to believe that we are not worthy, and there is a kernel of truth in every one of Satan’s’ lies. Without Jesus we are not worth, but by faith, we are washed clean and seen as Holy in God’s eyes.

3. Finally, and most importantly, when someone or something is making us feel guilty and unworthy, it can keep us from “receiving the promise of the Holy Spirt through faith.” It is by faith that we are able to receive the fullness of the promise of the Holy Spirit which is God’s own spirit within us. It is through the Holy Spirit that we are healed, delivered from demons, and bring others that same healing and freedom.

Surviving and triumphing over an attack from evil gets easier with practice.

Although Satan intends to separate you from God by making you doubtful or miserable, if you can make it through, it can have the opposite effect. Next time someone starts making crazy accusations out of what seems like nowhere, or negative coincidences add up until you are so frustrated that your foul mood takes over, hit “pause”. Then go on the offensive. There are some simple (maybe not easy, but simple) steps to stopping the enemy and winning the day.

First, get out of the control of the enemy by praising God. I have found that I am the most miserable when I focus too hard on my problems. Before long, they look like huge mountains that can never be overcome. It is like the old saying, “You can’t see the forest through the trees.” The sooner you realize that you are under attack, the better off you will be. If you cannot find the strength to turn to God, turn to Godly counsel. Let them pray with you and remind you that God has you. The attack may not stop when you start praising God, but your mind will start to clear as you step back and see the forest in front of you. Then, you can take the next step.

Reclaim your redemption through Jesus. Go to your Father and repent for any known or unknown sins. Remember, to truly repent you must in your heart admit that you need to change and desire the change. It doesn’t matter if you have tried to change and failed a hundred times, you just need to want the change in your heart. If you cannot think of any sins, ask God to show you your sins so you can be more like Jesus. After you have laid it all out, it is time to claim authority over any evil attempting to harm you or your relationship with God.

Finally, take command over whatever it is that is harming you or your family. Ask God to place a hedge of protection around you, your family and your realm of influence. This includes, your work, friends, family and your finances. I like to quote Romans 8:28 “And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.” I even ask God to reveal to me how He works things out.

God is always faithful to answer. We may not see instant results, but remembering that God is on your side can make it easier to find joy even when life is not turning out like you want. Remember Psalms 23:4 “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” We may walk through dark valleys, but God is there protecting you and comforting you. When you find yourself on the other side, take a look back and see where God protected you and helped you make it through. He brings beauty out of the intended destruction.

[RB1]