flesh vs. spirit

Talking Out the Lies

Often the hardest battles are not on the outside but within. Some people can internalize an issue and come to a resolution. I am not that person. Most of the time I need to talk it out, write it out, sing it out– do something to get the truth out of my head and into reality. Lies creep in (or are sometimes ingrained in us), and they take root. The thing about most roots is that they don’t just stay in one direction. Rather, they spread out, creating a firmer hold. One lie doesn’t usually stay within one area of our lives, but it permeates throughout every aspect of our being, which can lead to doubt, self-loathing, and lack of confidence among other things. What I think about myself becomes what I think others think about me, leading to miscommunication and focusing on the world’s view rather than the Lord. It’s a vicious cycle that needs to end, and one way is to talk out the truth. Sometimes I do this by writing in my journal, but other times I need someone I can trust– who’s not afraid to point out the truth in love– to listen and point out the lies. And sometimes I need to write a blog post because I know the Lord will speak His truth and also hold me accountable for what I write (even when it’s not always fun to be held accountable).

In a spirit of honesty, there are times I want to believe the lies. That sounds crazy, right? Why would I want to do that? Because it gives me a sense of justification for my actions and frustrations. My flesh wants to feel the anger or sadness, but it is not real justification. Rather, it’s perceived as an easy way out of the situation while actually causing more pain to myself and those around me. As a Christian, I am called to resist my flesh and fight the lies even when it’s harder than giving in. I should know who I am and Whose I am:

“For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,  and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:6-8 (NASB)

“So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” Romans 8:12-14 (NASB)

Paul encourages the Philippians with the following words:

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:4-9 (bold type added for emphasis)

It all comes down to the same choice: flesh versus Spirit. There is no room for excuses or self-justification. I either act and think according to the flesh or according to the Spirit. The enemy wants me to doubt what God has called me to do. He wants me to fail and to see myself as a failure. He wants me to believe the lies that lead to miscommunication with others, splintering relationships. He wants to get me alone with my thoughts because that’s where his battleground is strongest. Even after being a Christian for many years, I still need to hear the question: Does God say or think that about you? It’s yes or no. If it’s “no”, then the only other option is the enemy. When I can identify the “who” then I can address the situation with truth in mind. I am the hardest on myself, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who struggles with that. But as a Christian of about 30 years, it’s time for me to grow up spiritually and act on God’s truth first instead of desiring my fleshly justification.  

As I started reading through the Old Testament again, I recently read through God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt in the book of Exodus. It’s easy to think harshly of the Israelites as they grumbled in the wilderness, saying they’d rather go back to Egypt when they were facing trials. They had just experienced multiple miracles of the Lord, and yet they dared to grumble. But then that still small voice says to me, “You do that, too.” Oh the patience and lovingkindness of the Lord! How many times have I been on the mountaintop, trusting in myself, and then in the valley, wondering where God is? Or in truth, did I need the valley to bring me back to Him? And that is the love of the Father, who gives me what I need and not what I want. What I want does not always align with His will, and if I truly desire His will, my contentment shouldn’t change whether I’m on the mountain or in the valley. What’s beautiful is that He’s there in the midst of it all, never leaving or forsaking, as long as I am reaching for Him and desiring Him.

This world offers many things, but at what cost? I serve a God who gave it all so that I could be with Him, my Creator, for eternity. He is not a tolerant God, but He is patient (2 Peter 3:8-9). He is both wrathful and loving, fierce and gentle, disciplinary and comforting. He is the All in all, the Alpha and Omega, the Redeemer, the Savior, the Judge, the Almighty, the Holy One. If I talk out the lies, He will remind me that He is Truth, and that I am His. Let my anger be righteous against the enemy and not against His children. Let His love permeate through Me to others. Let my life be a testimony of God’s goodness. Let His truth reign in me and in all of us who call ourselves by His name, which is the name above all names: Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:9).

Talk out the lies and let His truth fill you.

© Lauren Demuth

Battle Ready

Today marks the 14th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. It’s hard to believe that it’s been so long. What I remember about that day was sitting in my 7th grade science class and hearing about it over the intercom. Later that day we watched the news on a TV wheeled into another class (at least I think this is what happened since I have no journal entry from this time). After school, I went down to the lobby and grabbed a newspaper which displayed the Twin Towers in smoke. Once my family and I returned home, we watched more of what happened on the news.

It was all so shocking. “This happened here, in America?” Such a thought was not intended to be arrogant but just sheer disbelief since I had never witnessed anything like this. Then the nation found out that such acts were intentional. Terrorism. A word that the government no longer desires to mention, but it’s still here and around the world. And it’s growing.

It can be overwhelming to read about all that’s going on in the world. It’s beyond disturbing what humans will do to other humans. So much innocence has been destroyed. Will all of this end? I daresay, no. There may be lulls of peace, but there will be no end until Christ’s return because we live in a fallen world. God does not cause evil things to happen; rather, sin does. We are not born into goodness, but into sin:

“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned— for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.” ~ Romans 5:12-14 (NASB)

Paul continues his discussion by talking about God’s grace, but the key point in the verses above is that sin came into the world through Adam. We are then born inherently evil, not inherently good. We all have to make a conscious effort to act righteously. We can act sinfully without trying. This is the war the enemy wages with us. Our flesh against our spirit. Will we continue to walk with God, or will we be deserters by giving in to the world, and essentially, to the enemy?

I have very little military knowledge, but I know that soldiers train for battle. To be sent out too soon would be a mistake that could cost lives. Military leaders also don’t send their soldiers out into the battlefield without a plan of attack. The only way to make such a plan is to study the enemy, to know how he acts and thinks. But at the same time, the enemy is doing the same thing.

Our enemy is quite clever. He is not to be underestimated especially since he has been with God, and he has also departed from God. We are to constantly be in spiritual training so that we know the truth we hold onto and not fall into temptation. While we train and do our best to act out the knowledge we have, the enemy looks to exploits our weaknesses. And we all have them. But instead of being overcome by the enemy, the Lord has given us a way to be victorious in our weaknesses:

”And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NASB)

We can be overcomers in our weaknesses! We cannot work through weakness on our own; rather, we must rely on Jesus. When we can do nothing on our own accord, it is God who is magnified, not us. And when God is magnified, the enemy does not stand a chance. For the enemy’s weakness is arrogance. When we put our complete trust in God and place Him first in our lives, there is nothing for the enemy to exploit. Also, when we encourage one another and build each other up, the enemy is faced with the body of Christ and not just one member. He is thwarted easily when we work as a unit.

He also will not succeed if we know truth. Part of the training process is testing everything we have been taught against the Word of God. If something does not add up, it must be examined further. It is important to distinguish between man’s teaching and God’s teaching because the two are not always the same. In a time when political correctness tries to keep us from challenging anything, this is exactly what we must do. Challenge everything! If we don’t, we can easily fall into the enemy’s snare. This is especially important for leaders in the church because if you send soldiers into battle unprepared and ill-informed, there will be casualties. I’m not talking about a shortage in church attendance, but a shortage in the kingdom of God.

We are in a constant battle, and the world keeps pressing in. Are we prepared? Do we have a solid foundation? Are we ready to have our faith tested with fire?

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.” ~ 1 Peter 1:3-9 (NASB)

What’s wonderful about having Christ as our Savior is knowing that He has already won this war. If we continue to hold onto this hope of our salvation, we will have no issue thwarting the enemy because our eyes will constantly be on Christ. Is it hard at times? Absolutely! But that’s why we are the body of Christ. When one member starts to fall, the others are there to pick him or her up. The overall victory has already been won, but the smaller victories leading to the end are up to us (with God’s help, of course). Whom will we follow? How will we act? Will we listen to God’s voice? Will we obey His will? Will we be instruments for His glory so that more people may come to Christ?

Soldiers, put on your armor and let’s go!

 

© Lauren Heiligenthal