PICK UP YOUR WEAPONS AND OVERCOME DECEPTION

YOU'RE LOST ALREADY (A COMMON FORM OF DECEPTION)

​There was an appointed time when I had been doing a great bit of work in the ministry, more actively than usual. I had consented to some speaking engagements and because of that I had more contact with demonic forces. There were some ministries I ministered within and yet when I refused to come in league with them and become a minister under them, all hell broke loose on my life. I subjected myself to a major spiritual attack which originated from a simple yes to a speaking engagement. As much as we love the Lord Jesus, we must be certain that our ministering no matter the form, is according to his will and not our own. You can say no. Don’t be afraid to say no. While I was under siege by those demonic forces, they were so strong and powerful. It was terrible. Those demonic forces that I encountered knew my strengths and my weaknesses. They brought up nearly all of the wrongs of my past, my short comings. They told me my works of righteousness had been done in vain. My husband didn’t really love me or understand me. They told me I ministered to people too harshly the times I told them to repent. I abused my authority. Jesus didn’t want me anymore. His Spirit had left because I should have had a covering.
 Nearly within the same time frame my biological father had become ill and passed away. There was a play on my emotions and the love that I had for my dad. “If you loved him, you would have prayed more. You prayed, the Lord didn’t answer. You didn’t have the power like you used to. Since your natural father is gone, your spiritual father left also. You’re a vagabond. You’re a heathen. You’re a bastard.”
Those fiery darts kept coming back-to-back with guilt and all sorts of falsehood. When I was in the midst of this battle it was a struggle to overcome the strongholds. I had to fight. I had to praise. I had to overcome. I was fighting for my own life while responsible for being the gatekeeper for the souls of others. I was almost convinced that Jesus had forsaken me and that I was lost and destined for the pit of Hell. Someone on the outside looking in would wonder how one could think such things. The spiritual warfare is real. The devastation is real. The battle for redemptions and salvation is real. This is not for entertainment. Jesus Christ is not a myth. His Holy Spirit is real. The enemy used the tactic of deception so that I wouldn’t put on my whole armor.
Some days I was convinced after not hearing the voice of God for some time, that he really did leave. There were days I didn’t praise, I said, “What’s the point, he’s not listening?” All this happened because of me. It’s my fault”, I said to myself. However, thank God for his grace and his mercy as well as his longsuffering and compassion. The more I allowed the adversary to keep shooting those fiery darts and hesitating to speak the Word of God into the atmosphere, the longer it took me to overcome and get back on the battlefield for Christ. The prayers of the righteous surely availeth much. I am a living testimony of that fact. Jesus Christ gives us choices. We must let him reign completely. I must admit that there have been several times I put some of my armor down and it caused injury and could have possibly caused casualties. I’m also grateful that the Lord gives angels charge over us to handle those battles in the spiritual realm that we don’t have strength to fight. Jesus will never leave you. He will never forsake you. Hold onto his hand and if you don’t have strength to do anything else, open your mouth and call on the name of Jesus.
II Tim 1:7-8
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but thou partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel, according to the power of God.
Clearly, the Lord does not want us to be fearful. The Word states that with fear is torment. He doesn’t want us tormented. He has given us the power that comes with love and a sound mind. All three are in a package. Though, we maintain reverent fear of the Lord Jesus Christ, he doesn’t want us to be afraid or intimidated.
There is power that comes with faith in the Most High. The more faith you have, the more power you have to move in that faith. Therefore, be not ashamed of the testimony that the Lord Jesus is establishing in you. There will be many afflictions because of the Gospel wherein we are partakers. However, we walk in the power of God with the purified love of Christ. The Lord stated that he gave the Spirit of Power, Love, and a Sound Mind. The adversary will attempt to affect those three with the Spirit of Fear.
Fear can affect your soundness of mind. If you allow it. Remember, we must kill on contact those things which affect our mind of Christ. Fear, when entertained can make a person act crazy and irrational. Without the soundness of mind, you can react to situations with poor judgement which could potentially have your good evil spoken of. Let the spirit of a sound mind and purified love of Christ cast out all fear. With those three you can do all things through Christ that strengthens you and overcome. No matter what type of fear and intimidation the adversary shoots toward you, stand in the truth. In the moment of truth, you must ask yourself, “Will you remain faithful to the Most High?’ He is the author and the finisher of your faith. Don’t take down because of doubt, fear, deception, or intimidation. The overcomers shall see God. Stayed armed and dangerous! Pick up your weapons and contend for the faith.
#PICKUPYOURWEAPONS #VICTORYINBATTLE #OVERCOMERS