As Ruth sank heavily into her chair a strong feeling of despondency came over her. A quick nudge of thought came to mind I should take my life. Yes that would help the situation. As soon as the thought entered she dispelled it with "cast all your cares upon me" and just as quickly Lord Jesus help me! Unnoticeable to her in the corner was a small shadow quickly fleeing through the wall to the outside. Outside of Ruth's apartment a meeting was being held unbeknownst to her. Meetings similar to this one that have been taken place for centuries always determining the next course of attack to take. In attendance was: fear and depression, suicide was standing to the side ready willing and able.
The above sounds like some story written in a fiction book. Unfortunately the majority of the times it is all too real. Even as people steeped in the belief in an Almighty God who controls the earth, we tend to leave out the other half of the spiritual battle. Oh yes we lightly talk about satan and his minions but do we really believe in some of the aspects of his warfare. Do we really understand his hatred of us and his imment desire to destroy us for all eternity. As we walk our spiritual walk can we grasp that a lot of what is going on in our lives is direct influence from satan himself. The scripture states that no weapon formed against us shall prosper – that God will ultimately quicken and keep us from anything. Here's a thought-provoking question: How many times do you quote that scripture after you just allowed satan a foothold in your life? The foothold could be anything: a thought, a quick word of setting someone straight, a desire that is unfilling to your spirit. Are our motives always pure and resting in the Word of God. Do we ask for His instruction prior to commiting many of the actions that we commit?
Ruth in this scenario is saved, however she allowed some openings in her life and satan sent some of his demons to begin work on her spirit. How many times have you felt so bound that you could not get a praise through or felt as if the weight of the world was on your shoulders? Or you felt that certain situations in your life were out of your control and you've gone to the Master but yet something still didn't feel right. Some of us have brought "issues" over into our saved life. Rather than us commanding the "issue" to be gone, it commands us to stay. We feel bound but feel that there is no escape. The devil has been around a long time and is the arch deceiver. He is the father of all lies. He deceived Eve and has continued to plague mankind ever since. God gives us choices in all that we do. We are allowed a choice to serve Him or satan. Sometimes we are bound because the devil deceives us into thinking we will not be free and we begin to think that the bare minimum is acceptable to God. I'll praise Him when I feel like it –tonight I'm tired. That is not enough! God wants all of you, every aspect of your thought process, your thinking capabilities, your mind, your spirit – EVERYTHING! He is a jealous God. He wants a sincere, pure unrestricted relationship with YOU!
If you are bound, you can be free. Christ came to set all mankind free. The choice is in your hands. Satan will trick you into thinking that you will not be free. The bible states, He who the Son has set free is free indeed. Christ has the keys to all that goes on in your life. Allow Him to set the standards for you. Talk to Him, tell him you want freedom from all the devil influences in your life. He will hear you! Part of our deliverance is the desire to be free from certain things. We must first admit that there's a problem just as we came to Christ acknowledging our sins. Once we admit and acknowledge; we begin our deliverance process. Know that God loves you and wants you to rest in His bosom. All He asks is that you submit your life to Him. We bind satan and all his works in Jesus Name!
3/29/00
2:20 PM
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