A couple weeks ago, I preached a message called “One Nation Under God,” where I shared that God owns the whole world and desires that all of it, including us, be filled with His glory! In our world today, we have bought into a lie called “secularism.”
That lie says that “religion” is a private matter but has no place in public. It divides life into two realms, religion and “the real world.”
Because of this lie, countless Christians think they are doing well if God is a “part” of their life. This is definitely “stinkin’ thinkin’”!
After my message, a young man came to me and shared that what I said really impacted him. He had a basic belief in God when he was younger, but as he became an adult, he prioritized the pursuit of his career and worldly education over God. He was trying to figure out what he really believed and had questions about how he could be used by the Lord. I listened to him, addressed each of his questions and prayed for him.
Even though we spoke for over 30 minutes, it didn’t seem that he was satisfied. I asked if he had ever actually made Jesus Christ Lord of his life. He hemmed and hawed a bit and then admitted, “No, I don’t think I ever have.”
I invited him to do that, but he said he was not ready. He wanted to think about it. I ministered to him about the purpose of life, God’s incredible love for him, and how God had changed my life, and then we said good night.
I saw him again the next day and I could tell right away that he seemed different. His countenance revealed peace and joy that was not there the night before. He told me that later the night, after we had spoken, he decided to surrender his life to Jesus and was born again!
Praise God! A new child of God was born and a soul saved from hell. He bought two of my teaching series and was very excited about what God had in store for him. The Bible says:
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
As I shared the Word of God with this young man, I could not see it and couldn’t tell on the outside, but it was penetrating his heart, making clear to him the path of life and that the way he had been pursuing was a deception. As I mulled it over that night, he could not escape what God was saying to him, and he yielded his heart to the Lord!
This is a great example of what Paul said:
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” (2 Cor. 10:3-5)
The Word is a powerful offensive weapon in the spirit that will destroy the strongholds in our mind and heart that keep us in slavery to the devil!
I want to encourage you today to take up that “sword of the spirit which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17) and attack any strongholds that may be hindering you in your life. Doubt, fear, worry, loneliness, greed, lust, anger, envy and pride all must fall when they encounter the Word of God! Don’t wait any longer to be free. You’ve got the power – it’s time to use it!
Memorize Bible verses that apply to your issues, and begin to speak them to yourself and praise God with them out loud.
Refuse to allow that “stinkin’ thinkin’” to occupy your thoughts for even a second. Speak the Word in place of those evil thoughts, saying, “I reject that thought. Thank you, God, that [quoting the Bible verse in place of satan’s lie].”
Spend time imagining the truth according to the Word manifesting in your heart and life. Do these things consistently from the heart and you will become free.
P.S. We are giving away my message “KINGDOM LIFE” to all new monthly partners! Help us continue this mission today!
