ROUGH-TALK THE DEVIL!

  • August 9th, 2010 | Johnny Bragg | No Comments |

    We’ve all been there. Going about our lives when the sudden, out-of-nowhere moment of sin hits. It may not be a big drunken-rampage mug-shot moment. Instead, for most of us that walk with the Lord, our sin moments are more subtle. Doubt. Anger. Gossip. Impatience. Slander. And even though these types of stumbles are more socially accepted, they still need to be dealt with…met head-on. This is just part of being a Christian. Moments come when big hairy things walk into our lives. The sin monkey. The gossip gorilla. The rage yeti. (Yeah, I just typed rage yeti.) When the enemy comes into our minds, our hearts, or our lives, what next? How do we deal with him?

    Too many Christians are not willing to confront the enemy. Why? Sometimes it has just not been taught. Other times it is uncomfortable to say out loud, GIT! Let me ask you a question: how would you react if a wild raccoon wandered into your kitchen? Torn curtains. Broken light bulbs. Screaming mayhem. You would rough-talk the wild animal until he was gone.

    And this is precisely what we need to do with sin and the Devil. Rough-talk him until he is gone.

    Let me give you five encouragements from our Wipeout series:

    1. Use your words. The tongue has the power of life and death, Proverbs 18:21. Our words are powerful. When stuff comes against you, your marriage, your family, your job…speak to it. Instead of telling those around you how bad things are, tell your problems how big your God is.

    2. Repair your walls. How did the enemy get in? If you have allowed yourself to look at stuff you know is wrong, repair that wall. If you have allowed others into your life that are causing you to stumble, take action. See 2 Chronicles 32 on how Hezekiah helped defend God’s people against a very real enemy.

    3. Recognize the source. Your next door neighbor, boss, or husband is not the enemy of your soul. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, Ephesians 6:12. While we can take some natural steps to fight off the enemy, our real struggle is spiritual. The source of conflict, sin, depression, and jealousy is Satan himself.

    4. Pray. We talked in church Sunday about never (NEVER!) underestimating the power of prayer. Prayer heals. Prayer softens hearts, Prayer instills self-discipline. Prayer works. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective, James 5:16.

    5. Use the name of Jesus. When (not if) you have a moment of facing the enemy (and this can be a single thought or a real, living darkness), speak the name of Jesus. Out loud.  …that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, Philippians 2:10.

    I encourage you to use these tools. Face the enemy of your life. Not in your own power, but with the help of Christ in you…tell the devil to GIT!


Leave a Reply

* Name, Email, and Comment are Required