Originally published Thursday, 03 September 2015.
What if I told you that as you walked outside there was a predator looming in your bushes? He not only wanted to take a bite of your skin, but entirely rip it off - savor it and devour it.
Sound creepy? Yes, I completely realize it does.
But, if this were the case, would you keep your eyes a little more open?
Might you look a little more left and right?
Prepare yourself in case of attack?
Might you do everything you could to find out who had the power to get rid of this creeper?
Of course you would.
But, do you?
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Pet. 5:8
Usually, we live more like busy-bodies than watch dogs.
We don't look up - or around - we only look down - at our iPhones.
We look to our extensive to-do's, rather than our exponential God.
Destination rules on high.
Feelings of worthlessness, uselessness and hopelessness often whip us around.
Meanwhile, we don't see the abuser standing next to us.
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. Jo. 8:44
When the devil lies, he often makes us lie down in defeat. Are you discerning is voice?
5 Lies the Devil Wants you To Believe (and you usually do)
1. God doesn't really love you that much.
How could a god that big, love one who is so small?
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. Jo. 15:3
God's love is the only thing that is always permanent and always present.
2. Your scars of the past will always blind your eyes in shame (abortion, alcohol, depression, anger, mental issues, insecurity).
You messed up so bad, you're marked as forever bad.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Ps. 147:3
God doesn't blind us with what we did wrong, he binds us up in what he did right.
3. You will be destroyed by your circumstances, your relationships and your trials.
That thing is going to take you down and ruin your life; you won't be okay.
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? Ps. 118:6
If God is on your side, you are on the winning side - walk in His stride.
4. You deserve no trials.
A good god would never let you hit bad trials.
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Jo. 16:33
Your good God knows bad trials will make you even better.
5. The bible doesn't really say that. That would negatively impact your happy meter.
God wants all happy, happy, joy, joy feelings for you - go and get it (under breath: you spoiled little brat). Consume it - the world is your oyster.
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Lu. 9:23
God doesn't say consume, he says exhume your ways and reassume his.
The devil almost always says, "God can't - and you can't - unless you can - with sin. The world will eat you up, the bible will fake you out and your past will kick you out of God's purpose."
The devil offers: same lie, different day.
But we have: the same God, everyday.
Our best defense is knowing God is on offense.
God is not human, that he should lie,
not a human being, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
Does he promise and not fulfill?
Nu. 23:19
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