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| "We must hear God, and it must be God speaking." |
The Word isn't comprehensive. I’m sure this raises brows. And it should. But notice, I did not say it came up short. God is presented fully in His Word. Nothing is missing from the Scriptures. Yet, it does not tell us of modern technologies. Or current geography and nations. Most countries mentioned in it no longer exist. We have John's Revelation which tells us the end of things … in a convoluted way. The Spirit says no one, NO ONE, has fully interpreted it correctly. Today’s prophets and all of the spiritual gifts help us with what is not directly seen in it. This is important. At the same time, individual lives of generations which came after it are not described. You won’t find my name or yours, but instead, godly principles which aid us in successful life. Much debate and unfortunately many arguments have come between men over what they have decided God said, speaking of specifics. All of these lead us to an important question: What ARE we to do to know truth which is not presented in the Word? There’s one answer. Hear. That's it. We must hear God. And it must be God speaking.
The Word says Satan dresses like an angel (2 Corinthians 11:14). Well, he was one. God created him to be good, to serve humans, as it tells us in Hebrews 1:14. Funnily enough, when trying to tempt Jesus in the wilderness, and I put it that way on purpose because Jesus knew who He was then, but when trying to tempt Him, the Scripture that Satan quoted was from Psalm 91:11. Get this: A fallen angel chose to quote a verse about the legitimate work of obedient angels. Satan knows portions of the Word AND a great deal about human nature. We picture him violent. But sometimes he acts peaceful. We must know God's voice from the devil's and not label them wrong. So much of what the church says is God is actually the flesh and the mind. No, typically we don't say what Satan would say. We don't deliberately speak like the thief. We fall into it, however. Criticizing others, defending doctrine. Or politics. We sling hate at those who worship false idols and religions absent of the cross, not seeing Jesus' point-of-view at all. He died for all men and women, and He gives up on no one.
We must know His truth. We must carry His heart. We must press into His Spirit, continually seeking more understanding. We can only do this through time spent in the Word, time spent in prayer, especially in our heavenly language, and time in worship. We must commit to live differently, to alter our footsteps. The truth is, it is one thing to know the Word about our authority over the devil, and another to live it. Someone who goes onto the mission field has experiences that those at home do not have. Minister Rick Renner tells the difficulties of his life in Russia when he first moved there, where he had to live and what they did to keep warm. Such stories differ from country to country, but those at home on the pew don’t really understand. The same is said of what others have suffered and overcome, and of what the Holy Spirit brought them through to survive it.
The biggest point of learning comes between arrogance and humility. To survive asks strength of the human spirit and submission to God. It’s easy to know the verses and quote them loudly because you’ve learned these things at church and another to be the one who had to hold fast to them. Authority isn’t found in volume or in learning but in trust and adoration of our loving God whose name it is. Jesus is the name we speak, but speak it from the flesh, and you come up dry. The love of God must be our heart behind it with Him as Lord. This means His will trumps ours. It isn’t to make us look good but to magnify Him.
The other thing behind it is to know how much we don’t know about the devil and devils. We assume much that is only learned through experience. They are far more persistent than we’ve been taught, and far more addicted to finding an inroad, far more aware of human behavior, than we accept. They also have a small book of tricks, used on repeat. It is our ability or inability to endure that does us in, alongside a lack of spiritual knowledge. While we’re either swinging our crowns at them or blaming God for “not helping,” we’re losing ground Jesus owns. I’ll say it again. WE’RE NOT IN A WAR. Our only battle is to renew our mind and remain at rest. When we place it in Jesus’ hands and WALK IN THE SPIRIT, we are set free.
The church must stand behind those suffering, as a place to lean. Because we know the truth. Know it and rely on the Spirit, and not assume we do. What I know I keep in His hands. He carries it, and I stay in submission, never relying on my own character. I only have integrity through Him. I only have wisdom through Him. I only know when to act and what actions to take because I hear His voice. He is the life in me and the authority (exousia) and ability (dunamis) of the cross that we cannot become without Him.
“Now you understand that I have imparted to you all my authority to trample over his kingdom. You will trample upon every demon before you and overcome every power Satan possesses. Absolutely nothing will be able to harm you as you walk in this authority.” (Luke 10:19 TPT)
“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14)
“Peace is my bequest to you, and the peace which I will give you is mine to give.” (John 14:27, Knox)
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Suzanne D. Williams, Author
www.suzannedwilliams.com
www.feelgoodromance.com
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