Dearest beloved!
We are in a SPIRITUAL BATTLE and God is aligning us to walk in victory, but before we do, we must first understand how our enemy operates.
The devil is intent on stealing what is rightfully ours, and taking what God has made available to us.
God intends for us to live and enjoy life not just to the fullest, but to overflowing. He wants to pour out so many blessings on us that we can share the overflow with someone else. In short, He wants to dramatically improve the quality of life for those who believe.
According to the Word of God, we are at war. I exhort you to stay on guard against the enemy’s sneaky attacks.
The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Jesus came that we might have abundant life, filled to the full until it overflows (see John 10:10, AMP).
The devil is the thief, and the father of lies. His method of operation is to deceive and steal. He is behind destruction, division, and death.
Jesus wants us to have the highest form of life, not to simply exist in a state of fear and anxiety.
God’s divine power has given us everything pertaining to life and godliness. We have all we need through the full, personal knowledge of Him Who called us to and by His own virtue (see 2 Peter 1:3, AMP).
Virtue is defined as goodness. God wants to display His goodness in and through us.
It’s not good enough simply to know about the Lord. We must have a personal relationship with Him.
Our own natural strength has limits, but God has called us to operate in His strength and power.
Jesus told the people to be careful about what they heard. He said that the measure of thought and study we give to the truth we hear is the measure of virtue and knowledge that comes back to us (Mark 4:24, AMP).
We must be cautious about what we see and hear in the world. The devil does not want us to detect his presence. He’ll try to sneak in and fool us into believing the lies that the world believes.
Jesus came down to a level spot with the people and His disciples. Large crowds came to hear Him and be healed, even those with unclean spirits (Luke 6:17-19, AMP).
God can deliver us from any spirit that wants to vex and torment us.
Remember this: In this SPIRITUAL BATTLE, we must keep watch over our emotions and attitudes.
Jesus began showing His disciples that He had to go to Jerusalem, suffer, be killed, and be resurrected on the third day. Peter rebuked Him, but Jesus spoke to the evil force motivating Peter to say those things (Matthew 16:21-23, AMP).
The devil will use anyone he can to work his deeds. Peter did not recognize he was being used and influenced by the enemy.
I exhort you to be quick to hear and be a ready listener, but slow to get angry and take offense. Human anger doesn’t promote the righteousness God requires. Set aside all uncleanness and rampant wickedness. Meekly receive the Word, which is able to save your souls (see James 1:19-21, AMP).
God gave us emotions, but we must not let them dominate us or control our lives.
Negative emotions are designed by the enemy. When they are conceived, they bring forth death.
When we hear, meditate on, and confess the Word of God, we are implanting it in our lives for it to take root.
James 3:16-18 tells us that where envy, strife, and selfish ambition exist, there is unrest, rebellion, and evil.
This is where the enemy will be found.
Jesus healed the woman who had suffered from an issue of blood for twelve years when she came up and touched His clothes. She kept telling herself that if she simply touched His garment, she would be healed. (see Mark 5:25-34, AMP).
Despite what she had previously experienced, the woman was careful about what she believed and thought.
The virtue that went out of Jesus when she touched Him is the same virtue that we have inside us. Her faith pulled it out and I admonish you to do the same!
Living in victory,
Lisa Gordon
Assistant Pastor
Jesus City Church