Love you all, praying for you,
I just love God – He is so different than the enemy. Just the opposite. He is so different than what we would think or expect. He doesn’t have the sinful response of humans. He is pure and loving and completely good. It is interesting to me how the enemy tries to steal the impact of what God says. There are some tough verses in God’s Word – very direct. And the devil always interprets them to you – as condemnation – when God intended them for conviction. Condemnation always looks backward, focuses on the past – makes you think – it’s over – there is no hope, you’re undeserving. That’s just like the devil. But it’s not at all like God. Conviction moves you forward, it is full of hope! Conviction is an invitation to change what you are doing – so the fruit will change, so the blessing in your life will change! It’s an invitation to leave your simple ways and live! Conviction is always God’s love moving us forward, it’s the first step to His deliverance. Realizing what we are doing or thinking or saying is not what He does, or thinks or says. Recognizing that anything other than what He says – leads to death not life. Convict and condemn are actually legal terms. Convict: to determine the truth of a charge against one; to prove or find guilty of a crime charged. To convince of sin, to prove or determine to be guilty. Conviction is when the Holy Spirit makes clear that we are in the wrong, that we fell short of God’s Word, Gods Will, or God’s plan for us. Condemn – pronounced to be wrong, guilty, worthless or forfeited; sentenced to punishment. You've seen gladiator movies with their opening statement – ‘We who are about to die salute you.’ Those condemned to death – have been irrevocably assigned to their end. That’s what the devil wants you to believe. And it was so, before Jesus came and took your place. The devil still wants you to believe you have made one mistake too many, one choice to sin – too many, and now it's over... God wouldn’t accept you now. Here’s what Jesus says. I John 1:9 - If we will confess our sin, (meaning admit it and turn from it) He will forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. That means make us clean – as if it didn’t happen. There is no statue of limitations on this verse. When the Holy Spirit convicts you – it’s not to condemn you – but to invite you to walk in His grace - the power to set you free from the sin that tries to control you. God’s Word is clear – John 3:17 - For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. So if you choose to sin, instead of to be pure (unmixed). You are convicted, but not condemned. The devil wants to condemn - to bring death, but Jesus (the Word) always brings life. When they brought the woman caught in adultery – they wanted to condemn her to death. "She’s guilty, go ahead…" is what Jesus said. "But let the one of you without sin, throw the first stone." One by one they dropped their rocks and went away. Looking up, Jesus said, where are your accusers? (where is the devil now?) If no one is left to accuse you – than I don’t accuse you either. Go and sin no more. Jesus didn’t excuse the sin, He was going to pay for all sins forever… but conviction is always an invitation to go and sin no more - along with the power to do it! God said He gives grace to say no to worldly temptations. Titus 2:11 – For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people (what salvation – the salvation that saves you from sinful choices that you used to always make!) It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. You can’t do it by yourself – but if you will yield to His grace – the next time you are invited to sin (that’s what temptation is) then you accept His invitation to walk in victory – by the overwhelming power of Grace that helps you resist it. Sin always starts with a thought – a lingering over an invitation to sin. Fear God – turn from evil instantly. Move your feet. Don’t go down that path. Speak the life of God, don’t let your thoughts lead to words and actions that will displease or disappoint Him. It was impossible before – but since Jesus died and was raised to life – sin no longer has control over you. And every time the devil tries to condemn you – Jesus says – come on – lets go – I’ve got grace for you! to have victory the next time and every next time you chose my grace. The devil wants to condemn you – but Jesus convicts you – so you can turn – so you walk in the victory that He has. So the next time you get a thought of guilt. Sometimes it’s cause you’re guilty! Repent – turn from your sin, and receive the power of Grace to overcome every next time. But if your thoughts are moving your backward instead of forward - that's probably the devil's condemnation, not the Holy Spirit's conviction. Salvation isn’t just for heaven for eternity – it’s freedom from the sin that once controlled you! A warning to consider: Busyness and Idleness can both be breeding grounds for temptation. Busy-ness because if you neglect your PRISM time, your mind won’t be transformed, you could slip back into old thinking. And idleness – if you don’t know the PIVAT God has for you today – His plans for you in this hour – the devil will surely suggest other plans – that your old nature will be drawn to. Here is a secret for success over temptation. PiVAT and PRISM will put your feet and your mind in the right place. You won’t have time for sin – you will be too busy doing what God told you to do, and thinking like He thinks. Another secret - your Daily Call - Hebrews 3:13 - but exhort one another daily, so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Your Daily Call is God's design to help you overcome with your testimony! God's secret weapon to guard your heart against that temptation (the invitations to sin). The sin that used to define you will no longer be a part of your life. He will transform your mind, your mouth, your hands and your feet – and you will walk in the joy of an overcoming life! It's how you get to the Good that He has waiting for you! Love you all, dad
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
About This BLOG
Daily Huddle - Archives
April 2021
Categories |