Living Changed: Overcoming Spiritual WarfareSample

## Stop Giving the Enemy Weapons "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:1) You might be thinking, I have worked hard to demolish these strongholds; why am I still struggling ? Satan's only goal is to "steal, kill, and destroy" (John 10:10). He will try to weaponize your words by attacking your inner dialogue, sink you in shame, and prevent you from sharing God's truth and your testimony. He will try to make you doubt God's promises for your life. Remember, God "has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west" (Psalm 103:12). While you've already been forgiven and can forgive others, you may find it hard to forgive yourself. As we explored yesterday, we give the enemy power when we respond to his lies with anything other than God's truth. Satan's weapons are rendered useless if you can let go of what God has already forgiven and forgive yourself. The adulterous woman, in John 8, had already been forgiven by Jesus long before she was ever brought before Him. While she was forgiven and saved from others casting stones, we often cast stones upon ourselves. Have you forgiven yourself for your past, or do you continue to condemn yourself? Rest easy knowing that the shame of your past is gone. You are fully redeemed, forgiven, and freed. What words do you give power to just by speaking them? In trying to be humorous, we can sometimes say things we don't necessarily believe. It feels easier to tell a half-truth than to commit to God's truth fully, but it doesn't win the war. If your words don't align with God's truth, it might be time to stop talking. Instead of facing the battle with the same battle plan, focus on prayer, fasting, and meditating on God's Word. Like David, present all your emotions to God. Cry out to Him. Worry with Him. Cast your anger to Him. If you go to God first, it brings you closer to Him. But if you turn to friends first, it can cause harm. When we seek validation and resolution from others, it can lead to rebelliousness and sin. The more you present your emotions to God, the easier and more rewarding the practice gets over time. Decide today to take every thought captive, making it obedient to Christ. If you intentionally capture your thoughts and speak words that reflect God's truth, the enemy has nothing against you.