I went to Sunday school today for the first time in about a year I’m guessing. I hope to keep it up even when I start on my master’s. TB is the teacher, and he is just finishing a series on prayer.
He mentioned how the devil/demons are able to “push our buttons.” It made me think again of the question about how that happens when the devil cannot read our minds. He is not all-knowing. I talked to TB about this after class a bit. He pointed out that the devil does know the points on which to challenge any believer. Our guardian angel is standing for us against the demons, who want to ruin our testimony and take us down. I need to study more about that, but I gained some new insight.
He also taught about the importance of remembering the good things God has done for us. We must remember specific ways that God has moved in our lives. And we discussed the importance of knowing the Word, memorizing scripture, and meditating on the Word. The devil cannot plant his ideas in places that are already filled with scripture. I must move beyond just reading through the Bible, using the plan our church is using. I must take time to study the Word. I want to know for myself about how the devil is trying to take me down. I have knowledge of that, and I have thought it is enough to know that I should know the Word. But I have not truly been studying the Bible on a regular basis. I have spurts but that’s all. And I know that God multiples my time somehow when I commit to studying His Word. And then I need to apply it.
How can it be applied immediately? I know I do not want to have the idea that I won’t be able to apply the teaching I already know unless I am doing such and such—so many minutes of study, this amount of effort, or that amount of prayer and Bible memorization. But I know that I must meditate on the Word more. And I need to apply what I do know. I need to act on it. I need to stand on the verse that says to resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Here’s the full section, James 4:6–8:
6But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
7Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Ahhhhh, and this is why it is so important to memorize scriptures. There’s so much more to this than just the portion I knew by heart. I am to submit to God. Overall I would always answer that question by saying I am submitted to God. But I recognize that I conveniently separate out the difficult parts of my life. Well, clearly, those areas have not been submitted to His authority. That needs to change. God help me! What must I do? Get into the Word. Apply what I already know to apply. Get it out of my head and into action!
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