Faith-bearing Seed for the Soul
"While the earth remaineth,
Seedtime and harvest
....shall not cease"

Genesis 8:22

Overcoming Torment

We CAN overcome the torment and the tormentor!

In John 10:10 it tells us that the thief comes to steal and destroy. The devil likes nothing more than to steal or rob us of the joy of the Lord. This tormentor is at war against the Spirit of God that dwells within those of us who believe.

In Galatians 5:17 Paul tells us about this battle...he says the flesh (our human nature and passions) and the Holy Spirit are ALWAYS at war trying to win control over us. I've found that the enemy, in this battle, has a minefield spread out before us that will stop us dead in our tracks every time. It is called FEAR! First John 4:18 says that fear has torment. We've all felt it at one time or another. When we are trying our best, it's then the enemy comes  in to destroy us, and he uses sudden fear to grip our souls.

We know that the opposite of fear is faith. But what our  faith is in during these trying times is what will determine the outcome of the battle. If we are trusting totally in human nature and human resources, we are sure to lose. Fear will wipe out every ounce of faith that we might muster up and we will be robbed of any further progress in the Lord, just as if a grenade exploded under our feet.

God tells us WHAT the root of our fear really is in the following verse.

I John 4:18 LB (Emphasis mine)

"We need have no fear of someone who loves us perfectly;His perfect love for us eliminates all dread of what HE might do to us. IF WE ARE AFRAID, IT IS FOR FEAR OF WHAT HE MIGHT DO TO US, and shows that we are not fully convinced that He really loves us."

How do we fully convince ourselves that He really loves us?

First, we have to believe that He does not lie, and that He will do what He has said that He will do. Ask Him what His will is and He will speak to you. He says that His sheep hear His voice.

Numbers 23:19

"God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?"

Second, we have to stop listening to the enemy who speaks  to us through our old human nature. Galatians 5:24 says that those of us who belong to Christ have nailed their natural evil desires to His cross and crucified them there. When the "old nature" is truly dead, we won't listen to, nor act upon, the lies gushing forth that are contrary to God's voice.

And third, we must strengthen the Spirit's control over us by feeding and acting upon the Word. His promises are the "armored tank" that protects us through the battle.

Psalms 91:2-7 LB (Emphasis mine)

"This I declare, that He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him. For he rescues  you from every trap, and protects you from the fatal plague. He will shield you with his wings! They will shelter you. His faithful promises are your armor. Now you don't need to be afraid of the dark any more, nor fear the dangers of the day; nor dread the plagues of darkness, nor disaster in the morning. Though a thousand fall at my side, though ten thousand are dying around me, the evil will not touch me."

When we walk in these steps...

1. Trusting that God does not lie.

2. Realizing that the devil uses the old nature to lie to us, we choose to refuse to believe those lies.

3. Studying and meditating on His Word night and day.

...we are better equipped to walk in the Spirit of God, who produces His fruit, love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal. 5:22), in our lives. The result is like going over the enemy's minefield in a fortified army tank. We are able to roll over the "grenades of fear" without incident, and we can clearly see that He loves us with a perfect, protective love.

Luke 5:4, 5

"Dear friends, don't be afraid of these who want to murder you. They can only kill the body; they have no power over your souls. But I'll tell you whom to fear---fear God who has the power to kill and then cast into hell."

God's promise of protection is to those who are fully convinced that He loves them, and those who trust that He will bring  them through every battle and trial of life.

Psalms 91:14 LB

For the Lord says, "Because he loves me, I will rescue him; I will make him great because he trusts in my name. When  he calls on me I will answer; I will be with him in trouble, and rescue him and honor him. I will satisfy him with a full life and give him my salvation."

"Whew! What a promise, Lord... I come to You and ask that You help my unbelief...I ask that You forgive me for the times I have doubted Your love for me. Help me to die fully to the desires and demands of my old nature that wants to be in control of everything around me. Give me strength to choose to walk in faith and obedience to Your Spirit, which is so opposite of my own nature. Help me follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in every part of my life. Help me to have an  increased hunger and the discipline to spend more time in Your Word, for I am so weak and I need Your help so much. I ask these things in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Who successfully overcame the desires of His flesh and died upon the cross for me so that I might have eternal life. Amen"

Rooted and grounded in the love of Christ Jesus,

Marlene JuHaros,

TexasSower@aol.com

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