Are you stuck? What is preventing you from moving forward in God? Your past experiences no longer have the power to define your present condition, when Jesus offers you His identity. In Christ we are made new. In His royal robing room we exchange our rags of the past for His robe of grace. Do I continue to wear the scars of the past as medals on my chest for others to see and note? What an insult to the Lord Jesus when He has paid the ultimate price and made a way for me to walk in His freedom. The problem may be that I do not appropriate and take on board the Word of God personally.
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piecing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”.
The salvation that Jesus Christ purchased for each of us individually is fully comprehensive, water tight and wholly available to every Believer. God’s Word is our defence when Satan attempts to trip us up with his fiery darts of doubt, unbelief and the scars of the past. God has made provision in His Word for us to deal with the deceiver’s fiery darts. Ephesians 6:10-18 defines in graphic detail the full armour of God. It is available to us in Christ, but we have to appropriate it in faith. God has made this provision for us in His Son. As we meditate on each verse, the Holy Spirit will reveal His truths and guide us in the safe passage the Saviour has made to walk through with Him. As we take on board the Word of God, the truths we have read about become ours in reality by our birthright in Christ. Only as we take the “full armour” on, will we learn to stand firm in our new identity in Christ and withstand the enemy’s fiery darts of lies. Learn to identify the lies and exchange them for the truths in God’s Word. Proclaim them for yourself, take them on board, allow the Holy Spirit to seal them in your heart, refusing all the devil’s lies of unbelief and doubt. Trade the imposters for your freedom in Christ and you will discover a new way of living. This divine life is our birthright in Jesus.
What you believe rules you. The devil is aware of that and will attempt to get a foothold in your life by every negative thought and word you say. James 4:7 declares “Resist the devil and he will flee from you”. It is our responsibility to resist. As the negative thoughts arise, we can resist by recognising them and refusing to give them a stronghold. Replace them by declaring God’s truths about you. Only what He says is true. The lies of doubt, unbelief and anxiety are the stock in trade of the devil. Settle it in your heart that nothing can happen to you that your heavenly Father is unable to guide you through……and ……bring His testimony in you for His glory. Remember: He is able to do super abundantly, above all we may ask or think, according to His power at work within us, (Ephesians 3:20)
Ephesians 6: 10-18 “Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take to yourself the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore having your loins girt with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the gospel of peace. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching with perseverence and supplication for all saints”.
The God who never changes, whose Word is immutable, has provided in His Son, for every Believer in Him, a royal exchange…..“liberty for captives, opening of the prison to those who are bound“……by the past. Isaiah 61:3 “To appoint unto those who mourn, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified”.
As I walk in the light of God, the truths He has revealed to me, then I am devil-proof. Jesus, my Saviour, is the Way, the Truth and the Life. My life can be an expression of His glorious life and freedom as I submit to Him in my daily circumstances……”nevertheless, not my will but Thine be done”. In this position there is a divine joy, liberty in Christ and strength to face the challenges of the day.