No Condemnation!!! By Matt Scott
I hate addiction and the enemies tactics in this area with a passionate hatred. I know what it did to me. I've seen good people and families destroyed, marriages crumble and close friends die from it all. I live to fight this war now. It makes me rage and want deliverance for our brothers and sisters even more. I heard a brother once say that what you are most passionate about fighting against is most likely going to be your strongest area of ministry.
It almost begs the question: were we never to succumb to addiction or weakness in a specific are for a long season in our lives, would our ministries or the direction of our lives be going where they are now as a respective outcome of the battle? This of course is a multifaceted teaching and one I could write an entire book on alone. What a worthy cause though, to be a face of freedom to the burdened and to teach how to attain that freedom. Ex addicts never forget from whence they came and can become world changers when that freeing power through Jesus is released and poured over into others seeking deliverance.
I was counseling a friend tonight that had confided in me that there had been a momentary lapse of reason that led to a brief fall to a prior addiction. She is already a powerful tool in God's hands for combating the enemy in others lives regarding addiction and I know that this is an attack to try and prevent a powerful ministry from forming. I related that I too have my struggles and that there's a balance between winning and being prone to temptation. Even when our minds are fully renewed to the word of God we still fall prey to the flesh at times. Even more so when amplified by an atmospheric influx of demonic influence trying to alter our mind, will and emotions, which combined is the make up of our very soul. When flesh and soul have been compromised by the enemy it becomes very hard to stand. All these things effect our ability immunize against the enemy because we become overwhelmed mentally, physically and spiritually. All it takes is a brief moment when we get in our own power or allow a negative thought to take root even just for a second to lead to a fall.
We of ourselves can do nothing. It is only The Holy Spirit that empowers us to overcome. When we get overwhelmed or in our own power then we are more likely to fall. This is not to make light of sin but it's ok if we fall as long as we get back up and keep fighting. The enemy will come at you with condemnation right after he tempts you to fall. Take note that guilt and condemnation are from the enemy, whereas conviction is from the Lord. Conviction is that gentle nudge that something needs to be looked at and changed (with His help) vs. ( I'm such an unworthy worm that did "it" again. With His help this too shall pass. Below are a few of the things that I ministered and I felt led to share.
It almost begs the question: were we never to succumb to addiction or weakness in a specific are for a long season in our lives, would our ministries or the direction of our lives be going where they are now as a respective outcome of the battle? This of course is a multifaceted teaching and one I could write an entire book on alone. What a worthy cause though, to be a face of freedom to the burdened and to teach how to attain that freedom. Ex addicts never forget from whence they came and can become world changers when that freeing power through Jesus is released and poured over into others seeking deliverance.
I was counseling a friend tonight that had confided in me that there had been a momentary lapse of reason that led to a brief fall to a prior addiction. She is already a powerful tool in God's hands for combating the enemy in others lives regarding addiction and I know that this is an attack to try and prevent a powerful ministry from forming. I related that I too have my struggles and that there's a balance between winning and being prone to temptation. Even when our minds are fully renewed to the word of God we still fall prey to the flesh at times. Even more so when amplified by an atmospheric influx of demonic influence trying to alter our mind, will and emotions, which combined is the make up of our very soul. When flesh and soul have been compromised by the enemy it becomes very hard to stand. All these things effect our ability immunize against the enemy because we become overwhelmed mentally, physically and spiritually. All it takes is a brief moment when we get in our own power or allow a negative thought to take root even just for a second to lead to a fall.
We of ourselves can do nothing. It is only The Holy Spirit that empowers us to overcome. When we get overwhelmed or in our own power then we are more likely to fall. This is not to make light of sin but it's ok if we fall as long as we get back up and keep fighting. The enemy will come at you with condemnation right after he tempts you to fall. Take note that guilt and condemnation are from the enemy, whereas conviction is from the Lord. Conviction is that gentle nudge that something needs to be looked at and changed (with His help) vs. ( I'm such an unworthy worm that did "it" again. With His help this too shall pass. Below are a few of the things that I ministered and I felt led to share.
Remember this:
Your greatest misery can become your greatest ministry. God needs real people to lead others
Guess what? The fact that you are vulnerable to temptation makes you human and real. That's the only kind of person God can use. How relevant would someone be in teaching how to overcome something of they weren't still prone to the temptation? When you still hate the addiction even when you're delivered then you are the most effective in ministry. When it's long gone and you don't remember the vise that it was then you're less effective.
It's the proverbial Pauline thorn in the side.
Don't forget the great ones of old. David killed a man and took his wife. David's son Solomon was the wisest and wealthiest man that ever lived but also lived a life of much excess in all areas prior to serving the Lord. Moses murdered a man. Mary Magdalene was a prostitute. Paul was called an enemy of God who murdered Christians but became the very man responsible for us Gentiles receiving the gospel. Peter was given to anger. But these were all people whom God loved dearly. They were real and useable and they changed the world.
The attacks are going to increase in frequency the closer you get to the goal. We just have to realize were not only fighting flesh but also a highly enraged enemy because of his limited time left to persecute the church. Here's some good food for thought.
Ephesians 6:12-13 (Amplified Bible)
12For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
13Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].
Speak over yourself that you are not an addict! You are free. When you really believe that then you will be fully delivered. When I finally got that deep down in me I was truly set free. Now with the lust issues I fight it by renewing my mind to the word daily. I wasn't doing that before. It's still a struggle but it's getting better. Remember that faith the size of a mustard seed is enough to point at that mountain in front of you and tell it to be removed and it be cast into the sea. I know full deliverance will be mine. And yours. Keep hope, don't allow it to be robbed. Keep believing even when it looks impossible. Nothing is impossible for God. Keep your mind renewed to the word of God by reading it daily. It doesn't take much. As Freda Lindsay, the co founder of Christ for the Nations swears by, read 3 chapters a day during the week and 5 on Sunday. Its simple and it works. She says she's never seen folks fall who make this a discipline.
Know that our Father loves you and He's not looking at everything you've done wrong but everything you're doing right. If you have children and they mess up, do you love them any less when they do? Of course not! You just teach them to obey and do better and try harder. Then they say they're sorry (repent) and go right on back outside and play. He too loves and corrects us but He also wants us to enjoy the journey. Take some time to have a little fun and just live. He takes pleasure in our pleasure as long as its not contrary to the word.
We will let go of Him long before He will let go of us!
He loves you and you have been set free. Embrace it. Just keep moving forward in light of His love.
3 comments:
GOOD POST
Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for the encouragement brothers.
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