Wednesday, August 3, 2011

SOMEONE’S BEEN MISBEHAVING

So, I've been taking a straw poll – in Blog Land and in Real Life.

Seems like there's a LOT going on!

And a lot of it isn't so good…

I got to thinking about this. I meet with a group of women on Thursday mornings, and we talked a lot last week – I got my hair cut last Friday (OK, yes – I got my roots done, too – thanks for noticing that) and was talking to my stylist – I talk to random people I meet throughout the errands of my day – I've talked to my sister and brother and my sons – and of course, I'm talking to you guys…

And everyone has a story to tell lately – a story of struggle, suffering, trial, and hardship.

I view this activity as attacksnefarious attacks. (Don't you love that word? Evil, wicked, sinful, unlawful...)

The enemy is on the loose.

I was talking about this with my mom on Friday. There's been a lot going on in our family lately – both my immediate family, and my extended family. I was sharing with her how overwhelmed I was feeling. She's feeling overwhelmed, too.

But then she said this to me…

"Remember when you were a little girl – how you pictured Jesus and Satan in a boxing ring?"

Yeah, I do remember that.

"And how you used to say that Jesus was bigger than Satan and He could just 'POW' Satan and win?"

I remember that, too.

However, right at that moment, I wasn't feeling too victorious. Nor was I feeling much like that confident young girl who was so sure of her Jesus' mighty power.

I looked at her in dismay…

And she said, in her adorable, 79-year-old, "Trust me I'm a mother" voice, "I know, he's gotten out of hand."

I paused – and then I started laughing. Downright guffawing…

"What?" she said.

I told her how her response had made the enemy sound like an errant child. How she made him sound like a scoundrel, a cad, a ne'er-do-well. She might as well have said, "Tsk, tsk. Bad boy…"

She started laughing too.

Now I'm not one to spit in the devil's face, so to speak. I'm not taunting or challenging him.

But my mother helped me do something very importantshe helped me cut him down to size.

You see, I think there are two crucial mistakes that believers can make when thinking about Satan. One, we can ignore him, and open ourselves up to unexpected and unrecognized attacks from him. We can make him something less than he is. Or we can empower him, and open ourselves up to being constantly afraid and intimidated by him. We can make him something more than he is.

We need to have a sober, but correct, view of him and his power.

He is not a god.

He is not good.

He is not omniscient or omnipotent.

He does not have control over our lives – he is only allowed to do what he does by our Sovereign God alone.

He can influence us, but he can never own us.

He can tempt us, but he cannot overcome us.

He can threaten us, but he can never have our souls.


All he can do is take his anger out on us –

And a lot of that anger is really directed at God. It comes at us because we are so very dearly loved by God – and we are saved…

Satan might stomp his feet, and throw his arrows, and do his best to steal and kill and destroy. But he will NEVER own our souls! We are securely wrapped in salvation, with confident hope in our futurewe belong to God.

He can rant and rave – and he can be a scary guy – but, he isn’t going to win.

And I think he knows that deep down inside. He's running scared right now…

He knows that Christians are being awakened in their hearts to pursue God in a new way. He knows that we are being called to become warriors. He knows that the Holy Spirit is moving…and we're listening, and responding, and arming ourselves for battle.

So, I am so thankful for my mom – and for how she helped me regain my perspective on things. Yes, with all that's been going on, Satan "took" me for a while – but he will never take me forever.

I think I really had it right when I was a little girl.

Jesus is bigger than Satan, and I think He just scored another knock-out in my heart…

POW!


How is God giving you victory in your life?


"But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory...because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world." (1 John 4:4)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

16 comments:

  1. This is just wonderful, Sharon. You're right that we often define or characterize him with extremes. Too often, I'm the cowering defeatist who makes him much more than he is. I have, though, erred too much on the other end too. (Your mom cracks me up)

    He is what he is.
    I'm so glad that God is what HE is, too.

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  2. What a great warfare post! I am needing to magnify the Lord more...His strength, His promises, His power, His victory...when I do then satan becomes smaller and smaller

    Now to put on the armor of God this morning and remind the devil of his future...as a guest pastor used to start out his sermons..."To Hell with the Devil"

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  3. Thanks for putting things in perspective...the right perspective! Our God is victorious over satan. The enemy can rant and rave all he wants, but you are so right - he doesn't own our soul. Jesus will never let us go.

    Praise God for the blessing of being His!

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  4. But he is there and we have to be constantly aware of that!

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  5. Just yesterday, I was reading somewhere about being sifted and I was also thinking of Job and where Satan had to ask permission before testing him.

    Often I have to remind myself that nothing happens without God allowing it.

    Great post, Sharon

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  6. POW... POwerful! WOW...Wonderful! BAM!!! WHAM!!

    Such a wise mom!!!

    Many blessings Sharon and such a triumphant attitude and frame of mind! Just what we need in the WAITING! To think on the victory and who is the Greater One! Not even a contest or a match. How very true and powerful your words here and as a child and through your sweet, wise mom...
    That's putting in his place...under the feet of Jesus!

    But as a Human Child... not showing off, I'm hope that we are both safe from the edge so that if Aslan speaks, we listen and are obedient!

    Every day I consider a VICTORY! as I make it one more day...fighting the good fight, keeping my eyes on Jesus, seeking Him and waiting!

    God gives me victory...
    ...when I am able to look with hope
    to a new day instead of dwelling or looking back in hopelessness or defeat but look to Him.

    God gives me victory...
    ...when my heart is not focused on me but looking for how I can help others to know Him.

    God gives me victory...
    ...when I can hold up a flag of surrender only to Him and realize the battle was already won by Him.

    God gives me victory...
    ...when I am no longer worried about my daily life but able to go about my day trusting that He walks with me and guides me.

    God gives me victory...
    ...even when I am unaware of it, just because I no longer carry the weight of my past but joyfully wait for my future.

    God give me victory...
    ...even when I can't see an answer, feel robbed or cheated from my past, confidently moving forward to a new life changed by His grace, His provision, His mercy and Love for me.

    This is my Victory... that through Jesus I walk through the valley of the shadow of death and see the glory in the mountain tops reaching down through the clouds with the rays of His Son!!!

    You warm my heart and stir my spirit with such inspired writings and fire to extinguish all the bad, any struggle or trial, with the promises of God...putting on my armor, girl...how 'bout you?

    Peace and love with a great BIG Hug,
    Peggy

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  7. Sharon, I am so amazed to read this post by you after what we have shared about the areas where we are feeling anxious. I was going to tell you that I thought there was an attack going on.

    But you put such a great perspective on it! I love this post and will cut it out and read it every time I feel a new attack coming at me. I'll realize its source and trust the Lord because He is bigger.

    I have the picture now thanks to you, Sharon. And I think you do, too, friend.

    Lots of blessings,
    Janis

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  8. Yes, I believe the body of Christ is under attack but perspective really does change everything. We already know what the end looks--V I C T O R Y

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  9. Hi Sharon,
    That verse in 1 John is one I have stood upon and reminded myself of over and over throughout the years. I remember a saying one time long ago that went something like: " If the devil can't make you bad he will make you busy" I believe that is what's happening today, Christians aren't spending enough time in the Word because we're so busy; but there is an ample supply of stuff out there in the world that we are exposed to daily, without a daily dose of the Word of God to counteract all the negative stuff we are absorbing into our spirits, we will begin to feel like we are in a losing battle.( although I know this is not the case with you, as you are very much into the Word of God) The enemy comes to steal and destroy and he will steal our joy. God says: ~In HIS presence is Fullness of Joy (Ps. 16:11)~ this is a call to pray and praise Him more (Psalm 22:3) says that God inhabits the praises of His people, that'll make us feel more like the winners that we are! continue to read the Word ,pray and SING to Him when your feeling low. So glad your mom helped you, cause you are such a strong woman of God, that's why satan strikes out at God's warriors. Just picture the battle going on in Psalm 91 and watch as those arrows fall off to the side of you!

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  10. Sharon- this is YOU!!! I LOVE seeing you and hearing you- the REAL you, the STRONG you, the FUNNY you!
    GREAT, GREAT post!!! I SO needed to hear this and as always, God continues to use you to bless others and share HIS hope, love and eternal life that we have IN HIM.
    Love you!

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  11. This is as right as rain! And your heart as a child had the whole thing summed up every bit as well as what we can do today... satan is alive and well, no doubt, but he is also one POW away from being put down, and our faith is in the one who has always conquered satan. This is such a great reminder today... there is so much going on around us that makes us feel like 'all hell has broken loose'... but... God.

    xo

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  12. Thank you so much for your words Sharon. I am going through so many trials and you always seem to encourage me at just the right time!!!

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  13. I am greatly encouraged by your many heartfelt remarks. It's such comfort to know that I journey alongside all of you. God is so faithful in His presence, and gracious to give us each other, too.

    Yes, we must never lose sight of the Mighty Power of our Lord - and we must never lose sight of what He accomplished on the cross. Struggles and trials are difficult (to say the least), but they are only skirmishes when seen in the light of eternity's victory. We love and serve the One who won - and He will indeed *POW* our enemy - in our lives now, and in the age to come!

    Keep the faith - and be courageous. Jesus is ABSOLUTELY bigger than Satan!

    KA-POW!

    GOD BLESS!

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  14. Hi Sharon -

    I praise GOD for how He used your mother to
    re-fuel you in your weariness.

    I love how you worked through the journey, and how you weaved this piece.

    You mentioned about Satan, "He is not a god."
    I believe that 2 Corinthians 4:4 - KJV refers to him as a god. It says, In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."

    I love this that you expressed, Sharon:
    "He knows that Christians are being awakened in their hearts to pursue God in a new way. He knows that we are being called to become warriors. He knows that the Holy Spirit is moving…and we're listening, and responding, and arming ourselves for battle."

    I'm so feeling that, Sharon. Yes, presently, that's where our Lord has me, as well. It is rich in Him indeed. And it's getting richer.

    O taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh how I love drinking JESUS juice. He is the juiciest and most satisfying thirst quencher. Gulp, Gulp, Gulp - I can't get enough...More Lord, please, More!!!

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  15. Hi again -

    P.S.

    1 John 2:14 - KJV
    ...because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

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  16. Yes, Sandra! Warrior words. My mom has been such a help to me throughout my whole life. And she has re-armed me on so many occasions. She is a blessing.

    And yes, I suppose what I meant with Satan is that he is not God (with a capital "G") - his stature and his status is NOT in any sense equal or opposite of God. So, we're on the same page there.

    I'm gulping that Jesus Juice, and I'm adding the booster of Holy Spirit power!

    In Him, we have OVERCOME the evil one - great verse, great promise!

    GOD BLESS!

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)