The Spiritual Battle

King David writes:

For I hear the slander of many;

There is terror on every side.

They conspire against me

And plot to take my life.

But I trust in you, O Lord;

I say “You are my God, my times are in your hands.”

I have come to understand that my enemies are just as real as those that David had. They are those powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil that Paul describes in Ephesians. They are not called “powers” for no reason. They are strong and they are to be reckoned with. They conspire against us and want to ruin our lives. This is not paranoia; it is just facing the facts.

“Forgiving Ourselves”: Just a Matter of Semantics?

Somewhere along the line, most of us have heard the expression, “I don’t think we really disagree, but it’s just a matter of semantics.” In fact, most of us have probably used a phrase much like this. Our point seems to be that we may be saying the same thing, but just using different terminology. Ironically, in making this statement, we are probably not even using the word semantics correctly. But let’s not get too pedantic.

The fact is that sometimes we can “quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers” (1 Timothy 1:7). However, there are times when a healthy discussion about the terminology we are using may be valuable, or even more than that.

It Takes More than Right Thoughts

If you have read my book Mind Change you know how strongly I believe in the importance of replacing the wrong thoughts with the right ones. Thoughts are powerful. Words and concepts lodged in our brain make a difference. But there is a passage in the New Testament book of Hebrews that reminds us that thoughts and words are not enough.

Lift with Your Faith

This week’s post comes from Sheila

Have you ever lifted something heavy and told yourself, “Lift with your legs! Lift with your legs” and then yell out, “Oh! I hurt my back”? Just telling ourselves to “lift with our legs” doesn’t mean that we will necessarily do it.

In life situations I tell myself, “Rely on God! Rely on God!” and then I proceed to rely on myself. I said the right thing to myself, but myself didn’t listen. And when I rely upon myself, I end up ushering in anxiety and fear and faithlessness without even realizing.

This Far, but No Farther

 In describing his sovereignty to Job, God reminds Job that he can say to the sea: 'This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt' (Job 38:11).

It is interesting that many people try turning the tables and say to God: “This far you may come, and no father; here is where what you will receive from me must halt.” Maybe they aren’t quite so brash about it but that is the underlying spirit.