WOW, this was just what I needed to hear! Obedience, to me, is one of those things that are easier said than done. "Just do as you are told. Don't think, just do." That's what I always tell my daughter, when she disobeys and causes herself more trouble. Just like God tells me, and I think I know best and do it my way, and cause myself suffering. Ridiculous, right? But, I do it anyways? What I have figured out is because I am looking through
my eyes, and using
my finite mind -
instead of walking by faith, trust and obedience that God has plans for my good and not to harm me, just as I do for my daughter.
James 1:22-25 "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do."
I know I need to pray more often for God to give me strength to defeat the enemy. Remember the enemy comes in three forms: the flesh, the world and the devil. Yep, it's true -
we are our own worst enemy! Our mind
is a battlefield, and we need to
daily take every thought captive that goes against God's word. As a new creation in Christ, do you know who you are? We need to know, believe and walk in our new idenity in Christ daily. Once we do, the enemy has no chance! He is a defeated foe!
"Understanding your identity in Christ is absolutely essential to your success at living the victorious Christian life."
Luke 9:23
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
I hope you enjoyed the reading and share with us your comment on the below questions. To promote discussion between others in the group, please comment on at least one other person's post.
1. Of the five weapons against the enemy (see pages 65-66), which one of them do you feel you most need to learn to use more effectively?
2. Read I John 2:4. What is the result of
not keeping God's commandments?
3. Read John 14:21. What is the result of
keeping God's commandments?
4. What was your favorite quote or scripture?
