On Godly Friendships: Ruth & Naomi
On Godly Friendships: Moses & Jethro
Ungodly Friendships: David & The Sons of Zeruiah (Joab, Abishai, Asahel; 2 Samuel 16, & more. But to Joab's credit, he counseled David against a census)
Ungodly Friendships: Jehoshaphat & Ahab
Un/Godly Friendships: The Israelites & The Gibeonites (though this began as an ungodly
Have you ever met someone who loves attention and demands it constantly? Everything they do is to force all eyes onto them. To the extent that they will often do silly things, all because they need everyone to focus on them. What do you do with such people? I've learned to give them as little 'oxygen' as they desire. I've learned that the less they can count on me for their 'supply', the more they avoid me. When that happens, all parties are content.
To some extent, we need to apply the same approach to satan. We need to learn to starve it of what it desires from us. This begs the question: What does satan want from believers? We've previously discussed that the enemy wants people to think God is a liar, and it strives to use God's children to make this point. It does this to steal, kill, and destroy all who submit to its evil scheme (John 10:10).
As those who believe in Jesus and His Father, the Almighty God, we know that we cannot allow satan to use us in scoring points against our Creator. Therefore, it is imperative to identify the behavioral and thought patterns in our lives that lead to sin and thus satisfy the devil's desires so we can deprive it of its supply.
If depression is a challenge, remember that the word of God instructs believers to always be joyful and thank Him in every situation (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). God understood that being joyful and thankful at all times wouldn't be easy. So, He provided the solution in Isaiah 61:3, which teaches that we are to praise the Lord when we feel down. If you continually apply praise when thoughts and developments drag you from a place of expectation and hope, you starve satan of its plan to steal your joy. You shut the door on the devil's desire to convince you that God cannot and will not bless your present and future.
If disease is the issue, then the Bible also has many avenues to healing. If sin has contributed to it, then Psalm 149 holds the key. Or did the disease arise some other way? Proverbs 4:20-22 states God's word is medicine, therefore, take it as one would medication, with every meal. In practical terms, open the Word and read/proclaim scripture in faith and watch God's promise bring healing. This, and proclaiming other scripture on the issue, is key and should not be ignored for science alone. Plus, remembering your body is His preferred dwelling place and treating it as such will never hurt.
If fear is crippling then dig into your faith. Find God's word on the issue that frightens (Romans 10:17). Then, having obtained it, stand firm, treating scripture as a solid foundation and promise from which you don't move. Jairus did this and was successful. Remember your Jericho Moments and familiarize yourself with the testimonies of others. Remember that God reserves His best for His children and don't live in sin without the fear of the Lord. Look satan in the eye and say 'not today' and wait on God to finish what He is doing in fulfillment of your prayers.
And if you think insufficient funds are the issue, permit me to stop you. Money is not your challenge. There is, however, an underlying problem that you need to address. Is it failing to trust God for provision? Is it pride - thinking you must rely upon yourself for everything and thus not stopping to receive God's guidance on how to do things? Do you think your problems are too big for God to solve? Or is idolatry at play whereby you've made Mammon, social media, or something else your god? Whatever the case, identifying the underlying issue puts you on track to starve satan. Thankfully, God is more than able to set you free, so prayerfully seek His strategy.
Whatever challenge is causing you to fall back into sin, the solution is in God's word. Search scripture for your weapons and apply them in faith, day by day. The Lord will back you up, and you will starve satan of what it needs - that you sin against God. You might be struggling with sin and thinking God isn't helping, but fully submit to the power of His word to cleanse, heal, and restore. Are you allowing Him to change you? Are you giving His Spirit room to guide you or even stir you up? Have you chosen to allow the blood of Jesus to surround you? God has given you all you need to successfully starve satan and increasingly live a life of victory. The key is to cooperate. God bless you.
PS: If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. The Bible says iron sharpens iron, and as brothers and sisters in Christ, we are duty-bound to help one another. We get to share our experiences and the scriptures that guided us to victory when we were in similar situations. Let's talk. The Lord God will fill our mouths and salt our speech, IJMN, Amen. See you at Noon EST for fellowship!
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