It doesn't take much for us to feel beat up, worn out, frustrated, and unhappy. After a while we tend to get used to feeling that way, not because we like it, but because we don't know how to fix it. For us Christians we tend to think it's just the way life is, after all we're free and we're new creations. What could be wrong? It can't be the devil, I know how he operates and I'm tired of people mentioning that! The problem is that the devil is cunning, unsuspecting, and will slow walk you right back into those old patterns of thought without you realizing what's happening. Before you know it you're agreeing with some of it, you're confused, and most importantly you're moving away from God. When we're moving away from God our whole life is out of balance. And then, it's steamroll time. Don't be steamrolled. I want to share a few insights into how and why this happens and of course how to say enough is enough and put an end to it.
The name devil is the greek word diabalos and is derived from two greek words dia, which means through, as when referring to penetrating something all the way through and balos which means to throw. When these words are put together to form the word diabalos, it paints a vivid picture of the devil as one who repetitiously throws accusations at the mind, striking again and again until he ultimately penetrates the mind with his slanderous lies and relationship destroying insinuations. Hopefully you've heard the scripture, "neither give place to the devil." Other translations use "foothold" instead of place. The word place is the greek word topos, which describes a specific place, like on a real geographical map. The word topos is where we get the word topography. This is important because it tells us that the devil is seeking a specific place and entry point through which he can enter our minds and emotions and stir up trouble.
The devil is referred to in Ephesians as the "commander of the powers of the unseen world", and in Revelation he is called the "accuser of the bretheren". The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy, said Jesus in John 10:10. I'm not going to break bad on scriptures here, I want to emphasize the point that the devil is a destroyer and remains unseen other than the physical and emotional affects the person being tormented manifests. Taking it a step further, this happens to us all. I've gotten so bombarded with thoughts that I've literally been worn out. I give the enemy an entry point somehow, by offense, jealousy, disobedience, etc. I get so caught up in my own stuff, I don't realize what's happening, until I've had enough!
Which brings me to the conclusion. The Bible is called the sword of the Spirit for a reason and it's not because you're supposed to pick it up and swing it around as such. The words contained inside of it are a spiritual force, from THE spiritual source. I learned a while back that for every negative thought there is a scripture that destroys it. When you have had enough of the steamrolling, you need to get mad, stand up, and start quoting scripture. I'm not talking about passive Bible reading. Jeremiah 20:9, "But his word was in my heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary from holding it back, and I could not." A fire! When you read the Word in times such as this it needs to be fire and spoken loudly. Quote some of your favorite scriptures and tell the devil he's out of here! That's the transforming, creative, life giving force of the Word. When you mean it and speak it. If you choose to do nothing, you will continue to live in torment. Take the stand. It's God's Word and no lie or accusation stands a chance against it. Below is as example,
The Lord is my Shepherd and I shall not want! He goes before me and levels the mountains, He breaks down the gates of bronze and the bars of iron, the mountains melt like wax before the Lord. Shouts of deliverance and praise resound in the tents of the righteous. He is my rock and my redeemer. I will stand still and see the salvation of the Lord and I will never be snatched from His hand. I go in and out always finding pasture. I demolish every argument and pretension that sets itself against the knowledge of God and I take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. My name is written in the Lambs book of life and I can claim every promise. I'm a living stone, a spiritual house, who flourishes in the courts of my God and I will never be put to shame. I dwell in the shelter of the Most High and rest in the shadow of the Almighty. The Lord is my deliverer and I will be delivered.
Greek word study taken from Rick Renner, Sparkling Gems. For further study on the devil's schemes check out Neil Anderson.
The name devil is the greek word diabalos and is derived from two greek words dia, which means through, as when referring to penetrating something all the way through and balos which means to throw. When these words are put together to form the word diabalos, it paints a vivid picture of the devil as one who repetitiously throws accusations at the mind, striking again and again until he ultimately penetrates the mind with his slanderous lies and relationship destroying insinuations. Hopefully you've heard the scripture, "neither give place to the devil." Other translations use "foothold" instead of place. The word place is the greek word topos, which describes a specific place, like on a real geographical map. The word topos is where we get the word topography. This is important because it tells us that the devil is seeking a specific place and entry point through which he can enter our minds and emotions and stir up trouble.
The devil is referred to in Ephesians as the "commander of the powers of the unseen world", and in Revelation he is called the "accuser of the bretheren". The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy, said Jesus in John 10:10. I'm not going to break bad on scriptures here, I want to emphasize the point that the devil is a destroyer and remains unseen other than the physical and emotional affects the person being tormented manifests. Taking it a step further, this happens to us all. I've gotten so bombarded with thoughts that I've literally been worn out. I give the enemy an entry point somehow, by offense, jealousy, disobedience, etc. I get so caught up in my own stuff, I don't realize what's happening, until I've had enough!
Which brings me to the conclusion. The Bible is called the sword of the Spirit for a reason and it's not because you're supposed to pick it up and swing it around as such. The words contained inside of it are a spiritual force, from THE spiritual source. I learned a while back that for every negative thought there is a scripture that destroys it. When you have had enough of the steamrolling, you need to get mad, stand up, and start quoting scripture. I'm not talking about passive Bible reading. Jeremiah 20:9, "But his word was in my heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary from holding it back, and I could not." A fire! When you read the Word in times such as this it needs to be fire and spoken loudly. Quote some of your favorite scriptures and tell the devil he's out of here! That's the transforming, creative, life giving force of the Word. When you mean it and speak it. If you choose to do nothing, you will continue to live in torment. Take the stand. It's God's Word and no lie or accusation stands a chance against it. Below is as example,
The Lord is my Shepherd and I shall not want! He goes before me and levels the mountains, He breaks down the gates of bronze and the bars of iron, the mountains melt like wax before the Lord. Shouts of deliverance and praise resound in the tents of the righteous. He is my rock and my redeemer. I will stand still and see the salvation of the Lord and I will never be snatched from His hand. I go in and out always finding pasture. I demolish every argument and pretension that sets itself against the knowledge of God and I take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. My name is written in the Lambs book of life and I can claim every promise. I'm a living stone, a spiritual house, who flourishes in the courts of my God and I will never be put to shame. I dwell in the shelter of the Most High and rest in the shadow of the Almighty. The Lord is my deliverer and I will be delivered.
Greek word study taken from Rick Renner, Sparkling Gems. For further study on the devil's schemes check out Neil Anderson.
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