We all have a choice. We can live a life of freedom in and through Jesus Christ or we can live a life in perpetual offense.
What is perpetual offense? It is existing, not truly living, in a state of constant victimhood. It is remaining chained by this stronghold of the enemy. When I think about this perpetual offense and how to describe it, the old song "Nobody likes me, everybody hates me, I think I'll eat some worms." I laugh as I type this because I literally sang it as I was typing. Ha Ha Ha! It is this mindset and attitude that I see and think of when I see others living in perpetual offense or constant victimhood. We live in a world full of "safe spaces." And we live in a society full of "political correctness," that is an environment that plants, grows lies and is a place that tries to keep all of us in perpetual offense. We live in a time that so many spend all of their time finding anything to be offensive instead of spending time focused on God and His truths. There is nothing offensive, about God. Does He convict us when we are living outside of His truths? Sure! Instead of being offended that the creator of everything and us (in His image) is gently trying to get us in line with His will, why not listen? Even in the church, "political correctness" has infected, festered and corrupted with trying to "appease" everyone instead of standing in and on the TRUTH of what God's Word says. As my pastor has said so many times, "You either believe God's Word or you don't. Genesis to maps! You believe it all or none of it." We live in a world and society full of lies. The most dangerous and damaging attitude and phrase in today's world, especially to disciples of Christ is, "You do you, Boo!" This way of thinking and living is dangerous to disciples today because it encourages taking your eyes off of Christ, the cross and the Word of God and keeps you/society looking inward, selfishly. That is what the enemy wants! When we are focused inward on ourselves and our feelings/emotions, we miss out on God, His will, way, promises and potential of ALL God has in store for us. People today are so quick to be offended by anything and everything, truth or lies, because that inward focus keeps us in bondage. Here is an idea! Who cares?!?! Who cares that so and so doesn't like you or called you this name or that name. Is it truth? Is it God's truth about you? We are commanded to love our neighbors AS ourselves, not INSTEAD of ourselves. That does not mean that we believe everything those we know say to us or about us either. Mark 12:31; Leviticus 19:18; Romans 13:10, 1 John 4:7; Galatians 5:14; John 13:34; Matthew 22:37-40; Romans 13:9; These are just a few instances in the love letter commanding us to love one another but never once does it say to love others' actions. Where does your truth lie? Whose are you? When someone (the enemy) tries to cover us in lies with belittling, viciousness, lies, blame, guilt, etc., why give them (the enemy) that kind of false power over our minds and hearts? You MUST go to the truth of the matter and remind yourself who and what God says you are! Your freedom, purpose and "matter" does not lie in anyone in this world, so why take every little thing to heart? It robs you and does nothing to grow you. It does, however, give the enemy a foothold/stronghold like a hook in your entire being to keep you from God. Why give him that kind of power over you? I have chosen to allow God to break those strongholds and fill the spaces in my heart, spirt and mind with HIS truths about me! The enemy wants to keep us captive even if we have experienced justification in salvation through Jesus Christ. Why? Because the enemy knows that he has lost us for eternity. BUT! He tries everything in his "power" to keep us, in this life, from recognizing, walking in, claiming and having the abundance that God has promised. The enemy does NOT want us to be walking in our authoritative swagger in Christ because when we do he not only loses us, but others we will bring into the family of God. How does he keep us down? By lying to us. The heartbreaking part of his lies in our hearts and minds is that until we truly walk in God, we believe his lies. We give the enemy the foothold that turns into a stronghold that disrupts and prevents us from walking in our authority. STOP IT! How do you stop this? #1-Submit to God. God wants ALL of you. He wants it all, even those parts you think you are hiding from him or you think are not useful. Allow Him to do what He does best! He made you in His image and He wants you! You are chosen and wanted. You are full of potential and have amazing gifts that God has already given and wants to continue to give! #2-Speak LIFE! Speak life over yourself. How often are you intentional in speaking life over others? How often are intentional in speaking Scripture to others? Praying for and over others? How often do you do those things to YOURSELF??? When you replace those spaces in your heart, mind and spirit that you have allowed the lies of the enemy to be spoken and believed with the truth of God's Word, promises and life, you are able to change your perspective and rob the enemy of his control and power. #3-Go back and do #1, then resist the enemy. He MUST flee when you do these things. You cannot make him flee from you and release his measly attempt in trying to keep you down without submitting to God first. Submit and then stand up against your real enemy. James 4:7 #4-Recognize the enemy in all of the words and actions that are thrown at you by others and society. Be aware, 1 Peter 5:8 gives clear instruction to us! Guess what..2 Corinthians 11:14 ESV brings the enemy into the light of truth, "And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light." There are times that those around us do not recognize they are being used by the enemy in our lives, but we can. Ephesians 6:12 ESV gives us the truth. "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." Change your perspective from inward and worldly to the truth of everything. Remember WHOSE you are and speak those truths over yourself. Stop living in perpetual offense because it changes who you are and dims the light you are purposed to be through Jesus Christ. We are told to be in the world but not OF the world. Keep your focus on God, seeking Him in all things, learning, saturating your heart and mind in His Word. Know YOUR truth and stop allowing the world and the enemy to rob you of the beautiful, amazing YOU that God sees and wants to mold. Love, Shalon
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AuthorDaughter, Sister, Wife, Momma, Friend, Warrior Princess, Sold out follower of Christ. There is more to me than meets the eye. A beautifully broken, messy, loving, imperfect woman praying to inspire others to find the JOY in this Joy-ney we call life! Archives
July 2022
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