Many times we can be attacked by the enemy and not know why or even face delay in our destiny.
Unbeknownst to most people, God has given us the responsibility to read His Word, apply it, and stay close to Him. He’s still with us to help us out when we are attacked & fall but these will open your eyes!
Let’s Make Sure these aren’t sinking your ship:
1. Traditions of man – as much as a caterpillar and butterfly are different in their ability to travel so is a believer and their ability to navigate this life after being saved. Don’t stay conformed to this world; believe and soar instead of crawl.
In our journey, unnoticed factors like past hurt, personal preferences, family customs, church teachings, mistaken identities, and stubbornness often hinder our growth without us realizing it. These can be crucial for success or failure.
Some think God doesn’t care about identity, culture, preferences, or theology. This is due to our entitled culture that prioritizes breakthroughs over struggle. Stay mindful in all aspects of life.
God is rescuing us from Satan’s traps so we must follow His Ways.
For instance, your version dictates the level of your victory. Muslims have a Jesus but aren’t saved. Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses too…but why after us praying the prayer is our Jesus different than the Bible but we expect the blessing too? (Read Romans 12:2, Mark 7:13, Matthew 9:29, I Peter 5:8 NKJV)
2. Secret Place – I find MOST trouble comes from NOT being in the secret place. Spending time in the secret place through worship, reading and meditating on God’s Word, and listening to Him can help with most of our issues related to identity, pain, sin, attitude, and faith. It’s a process, but God strengthens us. He is good!
Psalms 91 is used for so many promises & it’s powerful to confess those over our lives but what is more powerful is being in the secret place that automatically engages those promises over our lives. John 15 talks about abiding in Christ & this is how we do it.
We get to choose how life goes by our secret place with God. I pray you think about this one heavily.
3. What most don’t know about the fruit of the Spirit! And the works of the flesh.
The fruit of the Spirit is like a secret armor that fills us with strength against the enemy. There is no law against it, so the devil cannot come against us. Being in the Spirit (secret place) will strengthen us to stay away from the works of the flesh and cause the fruit of the Holy Spirit to grow and that keeps us from crossing into enemy territory (sin).
The works of the flesh really exist when we are out of God’s presence or away from surrender. (Read Galatians 5:16, 19-23 NKJV)
4. Respecting Authorities – I know this is difficult and has pain on it but it doesn’t mean agreement, just Biblical reverence.
It doesn’t say to trust, take notes, or even agree with, but respect. Submission is the attitude of respect even if we disagree. Unless there is a moral or Biblical failure, it may not be necessary to share your opinions with leaders. Consider carefully if it’s appropriate to discuss disagreements. Hypocrisy or failure to follow Biblical principles are reasons to have a conversation.
I’ve never spoken behind the back of my pastors. I went to them and if they disagreed, I just gave it to God. I did my job. My job isn’t to be right, it’s to deliver the message. If I need them to listen I now have issues.
If there is sexually inappropriate behavior, hypocrisy, or abusive behavior then talk to them or bring a leader with you to discuss with that leader. (Read Romans 13:1-5, Ephesians 6:5, Hebrews 13:17, Jude 1:8-10)
5. Complaining – This is getting to be a lot…yup…but let’s go here.
Complaining just opens the door for the enemy for more to complain about. It’s legal access for him to create mayhem. Gratitude is the answer here!!!
Talk to God in private when facing conflicts. Ask if it’s a moral imperative, eternal, or personal. If still struggling, talk to the person involved. (Read I Thessalonians 5:16-18, I Corinthians 10:10, James 5:9, Philippians 2:14-15)
6. Family Function – we need to take care of our families.
- Husbands loving their wives is a must… (I Peter 3:7)
- Wives Submitting to their husbands…not to every man
Some think that Scripture where it says for women not to teach means they shouldn’t have authority but in context it’s their husband. They shouldn’t be correcting their husbands but in submission serving. Attitude is everything. Some don’t think it’s reasonable but the Bible says our part in serving Him is our reasonable service. I’m not condoning dominating or narcissism from the man but in this era that isn’t the issue MOSTLY. It is is some countries or odd occasions in the Western world but I digress. (Read I Peter 3:3-5 )
- Parents Raising children – the Bible says not to provoke our children but also to discipline them. We should BE THERE for our children but still not allow them to rule the house. I agree with the Bible in discipline.
- Commitment to Family – God is our top priority, but we shouldn’t put ministry above family in the long run. We should consistently take care of our families, love our spouses more than ministry, serve our spouses more than pastors, and prioritize our family’s health.
7. Offense – Personalizing everything is Satan’s tactic to derail eternal life.
It usually flies under our expected radar BECAUSE the enemy knows where we are wounded to attack us. Realize that offense is more about stopping you than the wrong that was committed to you. We are in a war, the enemy comes more through emotions than he does in a boogie man suit.
The Lord gave me a saying, “If it’s about me I’m offended, if it’s about Him I forgive”. It’s really straight to the point but what are we here for after all??? (Read Colossians 3:13, Proverbs 19:11, Luke 23:34, Ephesians 6:12, Proverbs 4:23)
8. Your WHY is Your Weakness – Don’t let doubt & unbelief in. Pain has a way of getting us away from trusting Jesus, out of His presence, & then, out of His will for you. Don’t take the bait!!!
The enemy is only after your faith. Remember! He’s angry to hurt those God loves & then sell the lie God did it or allowed it but the enemy did. Don’t give into doubt! The enemy wants to attack us by bringing down the shield (Eph. 6:16), and then make us blame God. Let’s keep the faith. (Read Matthew 21:21, Mark 11:23)
9. Sin – practicing sin or willful sin will always separate us from God’s presence, then the strength that comes, & then backslidden.
The thing about sin (any of it, even in your mind), is it’s made as bait for you & me to take. The lie is that it will make us feel better. The other lie is that it won’t hurt us. The last one is that we are entitled to it because nobody understands…then comes the stronghold, the destruction, & fade away from God. Don’t take the bait! (Read James 1:12-17)
10. Isolation – you can be in a family, friendship, ministry, or church and still feel alone or isolated!
Isolation is a choice. It’s dangerous. The devil is a liar. He will say nobody can be trusted, nobody understands, nobody cares, etc…then we feel empowered to stay locked up in our hearts & pain. It’s crazy though, the devil wounded you & sold you that lie so you get off the tracks of your destiny.
I no matter what seek help on purpose & past my pain. No matter what I’m going through or feel like getting out, I need to find someone to get me healed & back to sound thinking!
Don’t take the bait!!! (Read Hebrews 10:23-25)
Love you guys! I promise these will save you in the long game!
