Condemnation part 4
Let's start with a passage of Scripture and then get into it. "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 Corinthians 10:3-5). And, listen, we're not talking about thought chasing. That's a slippery slope. "Ooops! That was a bad thought!" And now you're dwelling on it. Now you're giving it even more power than it had. Passing thoughts are just that--passing. That's what we always say, right? It came to pass, not to stay. If you have a bad thought... just let it go. Fill yourself with some good stuff. Man, I've been in places where I really needed to just fill myself up with Jesus. Be it listening to music, reading my Bible, or whatever. It's the idea of how God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all. When we feel dark, we need to let our light shine. Romans 12:21 (NLT) says, "Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good." If you want to feel forgiviness, forgive someone. If you want to feel love... love someone! Let what's already inside come out and you will experience it in a new a real way. But what I was trying to say tonight is pulling down strongholds and casting down imaginations. I once heard a preacher talk about "Some of the nations we really need to be at war with are condemNATION, and imagiNATION." About how we let the accuser do so much damage to us just by listening to the lies he hisses in our ears. When, really, if you know the truth you can ignore the lie. You can stand strong on the Rock on which you've been planted. You can bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ by letting the mind of Christ (that's already in you) BE in you. By listening to the still, small voice deep inside that says, "I love you" with every beat of God's heart in our chests. There is no condemnation in Christ... because nothing can separate us from the love of God. Love isn't about what you do. Love is about who you are. And who God is. God is love. We love because He first loved us. We love Him back by loving each other because He first filled us up with that love. That's bringing thoughts into captivity! Focusing on what really matters. Focusing on love. Casting everything else down. Laying aside the weight and the sin that so easily besets us. Not fighting with it. We do not war after the flesh. We fight the good fight of faith--laying hold of eternal life. Laying hold of the gift that we've already been given by receiving it. Receiving it and releasing it. Letting what's inside come out by knowing and believing that it's in there. Knowing that even if we screw up royally, we are still the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Knowing that what we do flows from what we believe. The love and affirmation of a Father will always equip and empower His Son! "You are my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." Those are the words that echo through time so that we can stop listening to the accuser. So that we can stop accepting the condemnation that the world would heap upon us. If you know the truth you don't have to fight against the lie. You can simply ignore it. You can let people say what they're going to say and not worry about it. People are going to talk no matter what. But, listen, you are not what people call you. You ARE what you answer to. So let God define you. Let love define you. And don't worry about the clutter and the noise from anybody or anywhere else!