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Devious Tactics
You jump in the car for a quick Target run, after a tiresomely, long day. You grab what you need and wait patiently (kind of) in a long line. When you get to the register, the cashier is rushing you and rude. She tosses the glass bowl in the bag, which shatters it - it was the last one! With a quick, halfway apology, she continues to scan your items recklessly ...
How do you respond? What is the next set of words that comes out of your mouth? Will you be led by the spirit or walk in the flesh?
None of us are perfect, and God knows we all have our days, but these are the little things the enemy uses as a flicker to start a fire. One thing leads to the next, and then you end up acting out of character. You feel awful - now the enemy brings up a million more ways you are "failing" and the field day in your mind is set in motion. Why? Because it was never really about the customer service or the bowl. It was a tactic to distract you in an already tired state.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
The Battle
Every day, battles are going on around us, and if we are not tactful, we can easily be pulled in. It is dangerous to go into battle only to end up fighting the wrong enemy. As we do this thing called - life, we mustn't lose sight of the real enemy.
So many times, we can get caught up in what people are doing and the latest newscast that we forget that satan and his demons are in play and the real culprits at the root of all evil. When we do this, it gives the enemy an opening to cause havoc in our minds. If he can get you to believe that he is not the culprit, but it's who you see in front of you, he can distort your whole life.
The world is already captured, so the sons and daughters of God must be ever so diligent in staying free. We have a calling to let our light shine so that others may see, and our Father in Heavens be glorified. This is a reminder for us believers to stay sharp! We cannot afford to neglect delighting ourselves in the word and being in the presence of God no matter what we see going on around us.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. - 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Pray and Declare Your Victory
Use your voice and the word of God to defeat the lies of the enemy in Jesus' name.
Lord, show me areas of my life where I have believed the lies of the enemy.
I come out of agreement with the lies I have believed, and I repent for not taking them captive.
I come into agreement with the word of God concerning my life and a stranger's voice I will not follow.
My thoughts and opinions are spirit-led based on the word of God and not what I hear or see.
I declare that I am steadfast in the word of God and that my salt with never loses its savor.
I put on the helmet of Salvation which guards my mind against false thinking and teaching.
I pray that if you are stuck in believing the lies of the enemy, you will wake up now in Jesus' name! It is not the will of God for you to live life defeated, lethargic, or despondent. Take authority over the wiles of the enemy and be seated in your rightful place as a child of God. Shalom!
