Internal Battles
There are multiple decisions that go on constantly inside of me. There are usually good choices along with the not-so-good choices. When I gave my life to Christ many years ago, I didn’t get immunity to the temptations of Satan. In fact, I think he stepped up the pressure. The longer I follow Jesus, the more I realize that the Satan is lurking around, and he wants to destroy me.
Jesus’ teaching was so disturbing to the religious leaders that they accused Him of being of Satan. This gets a direct response from Jesus. Check this out…
22 But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, “He’s possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That’s where he gets the power to cast out demons.”
23 Jesus called them over and responded with an illustration. “How can Satan cast out Satan?” he asked. 24 “A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse. 25 Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart. 26 And if Satan is divided and fights against himself, how can he stand? He would never survive. 27 Let me illustrate this further. Who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.(Mark 3:22-27 NLT)
The more I study the Word of God, I become alert and aware of Satan’s scheme. I wish he didn’t win any of the battles where I’m involved but he does. I get frustrated when I allow him to win. I am weak, but the Lord is strong. It important for me to listen to the Holy Spirit when He warns me or prompts me that Satan is working on me. I sometimes have “selective hearing” when it comes to the still, quiet voice of God’s Spirit speaking to me.
I want to go to Jesus and let Him be the General in this warfare. He knows the playbook or battle plan of Satan. He knows how to defend me. He knows how to direct me in the battles. I’m so thankful and humbled by the Lord’s grace that He forgives and then defends me when I really don’t have a defense.
This internal battle is real and it’s like I’m standing at a crossroad and choosing which way to go. I want to listen to the Lord and let Him direct my life. I think I will need His help fighting these internal battles until He calls me home to the land of the living. I don’t ever want to take His Presence in me for granted. I want to consistently repent of my sin and receive His mercy and amazing grace. The bottom line is that I’m powerless to win the internal struggle, but with Him in charge, the wins keep stacking up!
Pressing On!
Dwayne