March 3, 2014 Accusation And Condemnation (1)
Monday March 3, 2014
Accusation and Condemnation (1)
Hearing and receiving accusation or condemnation from others, or even from within ourselves, has a negative impact on our self-worth. We tend to center our thoughts on those words which tell us how stupid we are, how clumsy we are, how ugly we are, how much of a failure we are, what a bad person we are, and how we just keep messing up our lives. When our mind is focused on condemning words, we may believe that life is too hard and we cannot break out of the mold that we have put ourselves in. We believe we’re too messed up, it hurts too much, or it costs too much to change. One of the evil one’s favorite tactics is to tempt us to make wrong choices and then immediately accuse us of being weak and unable to do anything right. His one purpose is to get us so confused, so filled with pain and shame, so despairing, that we simply give up and go out and pick up again those harmful things that medicate the pain inside of us.
“I know that as soon as I’m gone, vicious wolves are going to show up and rip into this flock, men from your very own ranks twisting words so as to seduce disciples into following them instead of Jesus. So stay awake and keep up your guard. (Acts 20:29-30 MSG) One of the truths that God shares with us for our guidance and help is that Satan’s primary mission is to constantly find ways to accuse us. The Bible tells us he prowls around looking for a way to deceive and discourage us. It doesn't matter to him what it is. If we are doing well he'll remind us of times in the past when we did poorly. If we have joy in choosing to follow the ways of God he'll attempt to steal our joy by making us believe we are proud and self-righteous when we are simply enjoying the satisfaction of doing well in God's sight. We need to stand firm in our position in Christ and tell the evil one that he is a liar and that he is not going to steal, kill and destroy that which God has given us. We need to resist the evil one for he only has the power over us that we choose to give him.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. (1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV)
You have been given power over all the works of the evil one. Today, stand firm in that truth!
©2014 Partners in Hope
More information on this and other related topics @ www.partnersinhope.ca resources
Recent Meditations
Giving Hope
Partners in Hope is supported wholly by our friends and community. We are thankful to everyone who partners with us to help bring hope to the discouraged, hurting, and hopeless.