Archive for the Category »Spiritual Warfare «

19
Jan
Every Christian Has a Multiple Personality Disorder
Crazy old lady on Holy in the Daily

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I hate to have to tell you this, but you have a multiple personality disorder—an old you and a new you. I know—people have been telling you that for years, but you just didn’t want to believe it. Actually, it’s in the Bible:

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:22—24 niv).

There you have it—you have to “put off” your old-self and “put on” your new-self. Sounds like a script for a Stephen King novel to me.

Changing your old-self into your new-self begins in your mind; in the way you think and process information. Why is this important? Well—if you don’t process information correctly, your relationships will suffer. (Just ask your spouse.)

At any given point in time you will have four voices going on inside your head and they will usually all sound like your own voice. Yes, I know—weird. These four voices make up your inner dialogue, called “self-talk.” They are:

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit resides deep within your spirit and is always alert to what you are thinking and feeling. He desires to communicate and fellowship with you all the time. Although his voice will sound like your own, it will carry a note of gracious authority and will always speak according to scriptural truth. Often you won’t even hear his voice, but will sense in a moment what he is thinking or feeling.

Your “new-self”

This is the new you! This is the spirit part of you that was totally recreated at salvation and it is also the soul part of you that is being renewed in your thoughts, emotions, and will areas.

This new you thinks according to Scripture and acts like Jesus. When your new-self is in communion with the Holy Spirit, you will find God’s power working life within you and affecting all your relationships.

Your “old-self”

This is the old you that dominated your life before you came to know Christ—your old ways of thinking, feeling, and acting. You know, that ugly part of you that you’d like to forget. The truth is, your old “you” still wants to dominate!

Unfortunately, it is part of your sin nature and is connected to your body. Your old-self will be a part of you until you get rid of your body at death. So… you will be dealing with the old-self part of you for a long time.

You have to constantly treat your old-self as if it were a dead, shriveled up, ugly thing that should be buried (see Romans 6). Any part of your thought life that is still thinking according to your old-self habit patterns will work death within you and will contaminate your relationships.

Demonic voices

Sometimes a demon will throw a thought into your mind aimed at your old-self. It will usually sound like your own voice in your head, but it isn’t because it is speaking something contrary to Truth.

What you do with this “thought starter” is up to you. You can recognize it as false, rebuke it, and refuse to give it any place in your self-talk, which is an internal action of your new-self.

Or you can grab onto the thought starter and incorporate it into your inner monologue, which is what your old-self will do (bad decision). The resulting inner conversation will work death in you and in your relationships.

Let’s summarize:

  • You have four voices in your head competing for your attention at any given time.
  • The voices you ignore will eventually dim, but never completely go away.
  • The voices you pay attention to will determine your choices and actions.

So what will it be? Your new-self and the Spirit Holy, or your old-self and those pesky little demonic thought starters that can ruin your day?

Tune in next Thursday, and I’ll give you some tips for managing your self-talk.

Now it’s your turn: What’s your signal that you have given your old-self too much place in your thinking?

Susan Gaddis, Helping you build your spiritual legacy

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Category: Brain overhaul, Personal growth, Spiritual Warfare  Tags: , , , , , ,
22
Jun
How to Prepare for a Zombie Apocalypse

I grew up on Marvel comics and saw two Marvel movies this week. Yep, X-Men: First Class and Green Lantern whetted my craving for super heroes, action, and good American fun. Now all I needed was a dangerous zombie apocalypse.

But since I am an adult who oversees the security team at church, I looked in the more logical places for a zombie apocalypse and found one—right on the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Respectable, and always looking out for the American people, this website provided all I needed to know to prepare for the next, expected zombie apocalypse. Most of the supplies I already had in stock as I live in earthquake country. Thankfully, they recommend memorizing the phone number of your local zombie response team when “zombies take over entire countries, roam city streets eating anything living that get in their way.” (I’m contacting my local fire department to get the number. You might want to do the same.)

A zombie apocalypse is minor compared to the final apocalypse. To prepare for the zombie version, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To prepare for God’s version, read your Bible. Everything you need to know is in there.

So, what are you doing to prepare for (1) a zombie apocalypse and (2) a future Armageddon?

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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23
Feb
Sin Unmasked

“Sin”–a word we throw around in Christian circles without much thought to what it really is. Here’s an insightful, short clip from Igniter Media that unmasks the subtleties of “sin.”

(If you received this post via RSS or email and cannot view the short clip, please visit my Holy in the Daily blog to view it.)

Well, did you recognize some of the faces of sin? Care to add your thoughts?

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

 

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11
Feb
Prayers for a Soldier and His Family

Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com www.janrichard.com

Today Alan leaves for Iraq—a soldier fulfilling his calling. It must be very hard for his wife and children who won’t see him again for almost a year. Our church family encircled them in prayer last Sunday and will continue to support Chris and the kids in the way that families do when a soldier leaves for duty. Prayer will be our greatest gift to them.

Over the years we’ve had others from our church deployed on military duty. I have always loved to pray for these folks and their families. One young woman presented us with an American flag after escaping from an impossible situation during a mission in Afghanistan. She knew the church intercessors had prayed her through to safety.

I found two Celtic prayers that share a soldier’s heart for himself and his family. I think they provide a guide to how we can pray for those who go and those who are left behind.

A soldier’s prayer for his family

Give them peace to know I am unharmed.

Give them hope to know I will return.

Give them patience to wait and courage to endure the waiting.

Give them strength so that they will not grow weary.

Stephen Lawhead

A soldier’s prayer from St. Patrick’s Breastplate

I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead, his eye to watch, his might to stay, his ear to hearken to my need.

The wisdom of my God to teach, his hand to guide, his shield to ward; the Word of God to give me speech, his heavenly host to be my guard.

Against the demon snares of sin, the vice that gives temptation force, the natural lusts that war within, the hostile ones that mar my course; or few or many, far or nigh, in every place, and in all hours, against their fierce hostility, I bind to me these holy powers.

Against all Satan’s spells and wiles, against false words of heresy, against the knowledge that defiles, against the heart’s idolatry, against the wizard’s evil craft, against the death wound and the burning, the choking wave and poisoned shaft, protect me Christ, till your returning.

I arise today, through God’s strength to pilot me: God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s eye to look before me, God’s ear to hear me, God’s word to speak for me, God’s hand to guard me, God’s way to lie before me, God’s shield to protect me, God’s host to secure me: against snares of devils, against temptations of vices, against inclinations of nature, against everyone who shall wish me ill, afar and anear, alone and in a crowd.

Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

Remember to pray for our soldiers and their families. They would appreciate it. (And please pass this post on to those you know serving in the military and their families–just scroll down to the “share and enjoy” buttons a few inches below.)

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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Category: Celtic Christianity, Mission, Prayer, Spiritual Warfare  Tags: , , , , , ,
04
Feb
Praying Your Child Through a Difficult Time

Parents hurt when their child goes through a difficult time. No matter what the age of the child—be it six, sixteen, or forty-six—a parent still connects on some unknown level with the hurt or stress the child is experiencing.

Temptations abound in our culture. Dysfunctional people, difficult work environments, and unexpected negative circumstances often invade our children’s lives. Often their own immaturity only makes things worse. A skinned knee is easily remedied—cancer or divorce is not.

The Scripture

One Scripture I often pray for my kids is Psalm 35:103: “Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take up shield and armor; arise and come to my aid. Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to me, ‘I am your salvation’” (NIV).

The Prayer

Personalizing this verse in prayer looks something like this:

Lord, you know the enemy pursuing my son, Sam. You know those who are contending for his soul. I remind you, Lord—you have promised to contend with those who fight against the plans and purposes you have for Sam.

In the spirit realm, I ask that you take up your shield and armor and come to his aid. Wield your spear and javelin against those who pursue him. War against the spirits of: (insert the name of what you are fighting here—fear, sickness, deception, sexual temptation, alcohol, drugs, poverty, cancer, divorce, depression, etc.). Take them out!

Say to Sam, “I am your salvation, Sam.” Open his ears to hear you remind him that you truly are his Deliverer. May Sam see you working on his behalf, and may he respond to your voice. Thank you, Lord, that you love Sam more than I do, and you know exactly how to fight for him. In Jesus name, Amen.

Of course this prayer can also be prayed for others as well as yourself–not just your kids. What Scripture do you consistently use when you sense the need to pray for one of your children or someone else you love?

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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29
Oct
Warning! Witchcraft and Sorcery are Deadly!

Halloween—the season of witchcraft and sorcery! It might seem fun, but have you ever heard God’s opinion on some of these supernatural practices?

Warnings of witchcraft and sorcery

God has given us warnings and commands concerning the areas of the supernatural that are outside our boundary lines as Christians. One such warning is Deuteronomy 18:10–11: “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead” (NIV).

This warning was given to the nation of Israel when it came time to conquer the land promised to them by God. This land was filled with people who practiced different forms of occult religions. The warning is still valid today as our families are to be people who drive out these demonic influences through spiritual warfare and by taking a stand for righteousness (see Isaiah 8:18).

Definition of witchcraft and sorcery

Child sacrifice–Molech was a god who required that children be sacrificed to him. His idol stood with outstretched arms under which a fire had been lit. The child was placed on these red hot arms. Other times the sacrifice of a first born son on the city walls was practiced (see 2 Kings 3:26–27). Child sacrifice is still practiced in some occult rituals, and many consider abortion a form of human sacrifice.

Divination is the ability to foretell future events or discover hidden information through demonic sources.

An observer of times is what we call astrology, which is to use the stars to foretell the future.

An omen is a sign used by those involved in the occult to predict future events.

Witchcraft is the practice of gaining information or guidance from supernatural sources other than God.

To cast a spell means to bind someone or a situation through magic or curses.

A medium is a person acting as a mediator between the physical world and the dead. Actually, the medium is contacting a supernatural being called a demon. A demon will impersonate a dead person, or present itself as a higher being or a spirit guide. This practice is also called channeling.

Necromancy is another word used for calling up the dead.

What’s Your Sign?

Isaiah 8:18 calls us to be “signs and symbols” from the Lord to the people of our community. How does one do that in a culture that is saturated with signs of witchcraft and sorcery? Please share your comments below.

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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Category: Holidays, Spiritual Warfare  Tags: , , , ,
29
Sep
Don’t Collaborate With the Enemy!

Confused?

“May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house,” says George Carlin. That’s a great blessing prayer, but I think it is more often we who become confused and often end up collaborating with the enemy.

An attack from the enemy brings forth anything that is the fruit of evil and not the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control). Collaborating with the enemy means that we join forces with him—our sin nature working together with demonic suggestions and plans (see Galatians 5:19–23).

Do a little fruit inspection, in yourself and in the circumstances, to know if you are collaborating with the enemy. Then decide if you are facing one of the 3 types of demonic attacks I shared about in my last post—resistance, temptation, or flaming arrows. Now—to battle!

Scripture gives us clear directions for battling evil. We are told to submit, or present ourselves ready for battle, to God. Next we are to resist the devil, which results in his retreat (see James 4:7). But how does one resist the devil? What does that mean and what does that look like?

Counter Resistance with Truth

Daniel and some of his friends were cast into a flaming furnace because they refused to give into their king’s demand to worship him as god. The young men decided to meet resistance with truth—they took the consequences and came out victorious. Their truth sounded like this: “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” (Daniel 3:17–18 NIV). Did it work? You can read the rest of the story in Daniel 3.

Counter Temptation with Truth

Temptation confronts all of us, and it is also resisted with truth. Jesus modeled this for us when he countered every temptation Satan thrust at him by speaking a truth from Scripture (see Luke 4:1-14).

For example, when facing sexual temptation I might remind the enemy (and myself) of 1 Corinthians 10:13: “Satan, no temptation has seized me except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let me be tempted beyond what I can bear. When I am tempted, God will also provide a way out so that I can stand up under the temptation. Now, be gone and stop harassing me with this temptation.” I would then put 2 Timothy 2:22 into action and flee whatever form of lust the enemy is shoving in my face.

Counter Flaming Arrows with Truth

Since flaming arrows are aimed directly at our thoughts and emotions, countering them with truth is important to getting our mind and heart saturated with faith and standing strong against the enemy.

When attacked with inadequacy or feelings of being unloved, we can grab Scriptures such as Romans 8:37–39 and tell the enemy, “No, this is not true. The Scripture says that I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus my Lord.”

Collaborating with the enemy leads to death—on many levels. Collaborating with the Spirit Holy requires that we learn and speak truth—both to ourselves and to the enemy. Share with us your story of using truth to resist the enemy. I would love to hear from you.

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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27
Sep
Warning! Be Alert to 3 Types of Demonic Attacks

Be Alert!

Has anyone ever told you that you need to become alert to 3 different types of demonic attacks? Really—there is a predator on the loose and he wants to destroy your life. “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). This predator is supernatural, difficult to recognize, and he doesn’t work alone (see Ephesians 6:12).

Demonic forces provoke and pressure us into wrong ways of thinking or acting. We feel “driven”. These attacks are often hard to identify because we are so used to them. We often believe that they are our own thoughts or just a part of everyday life.

“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Corinthians 2:11 KJ). The word “devices” used here can be translated as “mind devices” from the Greek—giving us a word picture of how the enemy of our souls attempts to attack us—through our thoughts and emotions.

Most people are ignorant of the devices used by the predator. Satan’s goal is to manipulate our free will so that we will act according to his dictates and become his slaves (2 Peter 2:19). He aims most of his attacks at our thoughts and emotions, which then motivate our will, or decision making ability, in a wrong direction.

Be Alert to 3 Types of Demonic Attacks

Learning to recognize the 3 different types of demonic attacks can help you avoid becoming predator fodder.

Attack of Resistance

Sometimes we feel resistance because we deserve it—we’re trampling on other people or being stupid in our actions. But when resistance comes because of a God assignment in our lives it may indicate something other than immaturity. The goal of a resistance attack is mental, emotional, and physical discouragement. Check out the following stories to see what I’m talking about:

  1. Daniel is resisted by people in his God given assignment (Daniel 6).
  2. Daniel is resisted by demonic powers (Daniel 10:11-13).
  3. Paul is resisted in his ministry by Satan (1 Thessalonians 2:18).

Ask God to reveal who or what is causing the “road block” you are facing. Both Daniel and Paul knew who was causing their road blocks. These men of God could identify what they were up against.

Attack of Temptation

In James 1:14-16 we are given the pattern that temptation follows: “But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers.”

Learn how this pattern works in your own life:

  1. What happened in your thinking that led to wrong actions?
  2. What feelings arose within that prompted your choices?
  3. How did the sin grow once you had given in to the temptation?

Do you see a pattern?

Attack of Flaming Arrows

“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16). Like temptation, arrows are aimed at our thoughts and emotions. If demons can capture our mind or feelings, they can then direct our actions.

To resist a flaming arrow, learn to tune into your thoughts and feelings:

  1. What are you feeling or thinking? Identify the “arrow.”
  2. Why are you feeling or thinking this? Learn the cause of the arrow. What is the enemy trying to stir up in you?
  3. Is your initial reaction godly or ungodly? Wrong reactions signal that you have accepted, rather than rejected, a flaming arrow.

Pulled any flaming arrows out lately?

What has been your experience with these 3 types of demonic attacks? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.

Check back on Wednesday for the next post on how to resist the enemy and avoid becoming predator fodder. You can also find other tips on dealing with demonic attacks in the August 30, 2010 post, “How to Deal With the Accuser Living in Your Head.”

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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30
Aug
How to Deal With the Accuser Living in Your Head

Do you ever have one of those days when you feel like there is a little voice in your head telling you what a poor example you are of the human race? Be assured that the little voice is not you. It may sound like you, but it is not. That voice is actually thoughts being thrown into your mind by someone known as the Accuser—and he is out to destroy your life. Here are some facts about the Accuser and some tips on how to deal with him.

How to know you are being condemned by the Accuser

You will feel one or more of the following emotions: depressed, discouraged, guilty, shamed, inadequate, a failure, hopeless, stupid, unloved, disliked, rejected, blamed, useless, lonely, discarded or condemned.

You will think thoughts along the lines of the following: “I’m a failure.” “This will never change.” “I’m a jerk.” “There is no hope for me.” “No one likes me.” “It’s not worth it.” “Why me?”

He is not flesh and blood! 

The Accuser is not human. He is a type of spirit, and he has been around for a very long time. He goes by the names of Satan, Devil, Accuser, Adversary, Angel of Light, Father of Lies, Lucifer, Serpent and many more that describe his character and activities (see Ephesians 6:12).

The Accuser does what his name implies—he accuses. “For the accuser of our brothers is cast down, who accused them before our God day and night . . . .” (Revelation 12:10 NIV).

What to do when the Accuser assaults you

1. Don’t agree with him! Recognize who is speaking. Even if the voice sounds like your own voice, don’t believe it!

2. Put on your spiritual armor and use your spiritual weapon (see Ephesians 6:13–18).

3. Apply the finished work of Christ through repentance if you have sinned (see 1 John 1:9).

4. Remind the enemy that the Lamb’s blood identifies you as sinless. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death” (Revelation 12:11 NIV).

5. Then speak your testimony to the enemy. “Yep, everything you say was once true, but in Christ that is no longer who I am” (see Revelation 12:11 above).

6. Reaffirm your total commitment to Christ and expect a little more practice in laying down your life (see Revelation 12:11 above).

7. Rebuke the enemy! You’ve been given authority—now use it! Just say something along the lines of, “Accuser, I rebuke you. You have no power over me. I have been bought with the shed blood of Jesus Christ, and he now owns me and has authority over my life. You have no authority to accuse me of anything. Take your accusations about me, and tell them to Jesus. Stop criticizing God’s property”  (see James 4:7).  

Dealing with the Accuser can be an ongoing battle when we first realize who is attacking us. But the more we practice the above steps, the more we find freedom from mental torment and the tendency to believe the lies of the enemy.

What suggestions can you add that would help in dealing with the Accuser? Please leave your input in the comment link below. We would love to hear from you.

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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