There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!
Mark 7:15-16
In the late '60s and early '70s, the U.S. was one of the most powerful nations in the world, but couldn't win a war. Though we had hundreds of thousands of troops on the ground in Vietnam, employed much larger and superior armed forces, and enlisted attack helicopters, fighter jets, missiles, and everything you can imagine, we still couldn't win. Why?
Our enemy, the Viet Cong, realized that the key to victory was not in killing American soldiers, but in wounding them.
Every American soldier wounded required five more American soldiers to carry him off the battlefield. By wounding a single soldier, they effectively removed six soldiers from the combat zone. It was a strategy not to dominate U.S. forces, but to neutralize them. And it's the same strategy that the devil uses with you.
You see, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, the devil has no real power over you. The breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:14-17) -- you are too protected by God! So, the enemy's only strategy is to cause you to defeat yourself. How? He tries to convince you that no war is being fought at all -- that you don't even need to wear the armor of God as protection for your soul. In fact, he even poses as a friend, making himself look attractive and trustworthy, but then slyly placing stumbling blocks in your path to trip you up. His goal is not to fight you, but to neutralize you -- to get you off the battlefield. Because make no mistake: The enemy is always at war. If you are not fighting, you are losing.
Why do we stop fighting, then? Why do we retreat from the spiritual battle that rages around us, as if we're defeated, when we know that we are victorious through Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57)? It's not because the battle is over, or because the devil has defiled us -- he doesn't have that much power! No, it's because we defile, and neutralize, ourselves. Mark 7:15 tells us that nothing can defile us but ourselves. "There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man." It's not that extra cheeseburger that is defiling you; it's the way you beat yourself up after you eat the cheeseburger. It's not the lustful thought that enters your mind; it's the way you entertain it. Sin leaves us injured; it will destroy us from within.
Are there things in your heart that you would like gone once and for all? Is there something that is hindering your prayer life, your worship, your love and concern for other people, your desire to be a servant, and your passion to tell other people about Jesus Christ? Today, if you will go to the throne of God and plead the blood of Jesus Christ, He will make you victorious. He will erase those things from your life; He will kill them. They will be put to death right now. Simply say, "God, I ask you to take this right now from my life. Not tomorrow, not a week from tomorrow, but right now."
Though you may have been neutralized before, unable to fight because of the crippling effect of sin, Jesus will make you and me "more than conquerors" (Romans 8:37). It is not a religious exercise God is concerned with -- this is a war.
"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Devotions with Emotion
Fair Use Notice
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, any copyrighted work herein is archived under fair use without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in reviewing the included information for personal use, non-profit research and educational purposes only.
‘Your Devotion with Emotion’
This material was brought to you by Broadcast(B.C.)Christianity. Last Call Digest, is a ministry of Michael James Stone, volunteers, and people dedicated to the Love of God and Salvation of Souls. It is an aggragate of Christian Material selected to Bless you and Prepare you for each and every day you read them. May God Bless You as You Do!! Reading these Devotions will help you to prepare daily for life, living, and your Lord. You will hear God Speak To You thru them.
Jesus is Coming Very Soon.
“the simple format”
Broadcast(B.C.)Christianity, operates by you, with you, and for you. “Freely you have received, freely give” Pass this on, everywhere you can, anytime you can, anyway you can. You will be blessed if you do. mrnetbizness@gmail.com
Last Days of the Last Generation “Last Generation”
The simple format “the prophecy site just about prophecy”
Broadcast(B.C.)Christianity Journalist
This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner.
The material is being made available in an effort to understand scripture, news, technology and society especially as it relates to God and Jesus. It is specifically for non-profit research and educational purposes only. I believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use,' you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. This is a completely non-commercial site for private personal use. No fee is charged, and no money is made off of the operation of this site. Nor is any implied reciprocal gratuities implied or construed.
