Dear Heavenly Father,
Through the Apostle Paul, You’ve told us in 2Corinthians 10:3 that we don’t wage war the way other human beings do. You’ve commanded us to use Your mighty weapons, not the weapons that come from the world. People of the world are notorious for not fighting fairly, and for using marketing ploys and all kinds of deceitful tactics to manipulate the minds of people. That’s not how You’ve instructed believers to fight. We are to use your powerful tools for totally demolishing arrogant and vain philosophies. Your Word will tear down the barriers of those that try to make lies look like the truth. Your Word equips believers to stand strong in this evil day. You’ve commanded us to put Your Word in our minds and hearts so we can grow to be spiritually wise and mature.
Not long ago, I had a conversation with a friend. I have been disappointed with what I see happening in the world, and I find it hard to swallow the way people are treating one another. I was venting about this and told my friend how bad I believe things have gotten. I said, “I don’t know what’s about to happen, but I’m trusting God in EVERYTHING!!!, Human beings are clearly evil and vindictive creatures!” He snapped back and replied, “That HE created!”
Father, Ephesians 2:8 tells us that You have saved us through Your grace. Before You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to the earth, we were doomed to an eternal hell. But because of Your grace and mercy, we have been rescued from darkness. When we become born again through Jesus Christ, the salvation we receive makes it possible for us to live an eternity with You. We didn’t deserve this, but You have opened the door to Your riches in heaven and blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Christ.
You gave us the gift of free-will to make our own choices. You created us in Your image. You are self-governing, and You made us to be self-governing as well. When I heard my friend’s response, my heart sank. I saw a carnal mind that was not thankful for Your gifts, and realized that at one time, I thought that way. All praise to You for transforming me through Jesus Christ. You didn’t have to give us free-will choice. You could have destroyed Adam and Eve so that no other human could betray You the way they did. Through Your overwhelming mercy and grace, You didn’t do this. You allowed us to live, and You sent Your Son to teach us how to be our best for You.
We get to choose who we will serve, but we cannot serve You and the devil. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 6:24(NLT), “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other.” Our choice to serve, worship, adore, praise, honor, obey, and reverence You shows all of heaven, and everything beneath it, that we choose YOU. Because of Your tremendous grace, love, and mercy, You don’t force us to choose You. It’s completely left up to us. Choosing You identifies us as Your children, and we must be so incredibly thankful for this honor and privilege.
I quickly responded to my friend and explained to him that most human beings have decided to use their free-will to do evil things. The problem isn’t You, nor could it ever be. You created us in such a way that we can be perfected in Christ, and we must humble ourselves so that his Spirit can work in us. Most individuals will not allow the Spirit to be at work in them. We can be our worst enemy, because we have attitudes and behaviors that block Your blessings. We make life more difficult for ourselves because of our poor choices and decisions, and then we want to blame You for not going along with our shameful plans.
Father, help us to wake-up! We are putting ourselves in increasing danger by not heeding to Your Word. If we want to go down the wrong path, You will not stop us. For every action, there is a re-action, so we will face the consequences of every single choice we make. We must stop trying to blame You and look in the mirror at the person we have chosen to become. Now, more than ever, we must recognize that Your Word and Will is not flexible to our whims. We must line ourselves up with Your Word so that we can be the people You want us to be.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Sometimes the Mirror Reveals Our Worst Enemy”, written by K. Lizzie, edited by Reverend Fran Mack for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2020. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.