Friday, August 31, 2018

Strongholds vs. Transformation

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
Only spiritual weapons are divinely empowered for over throwing the fortresses of evil. There is a temptation to meet Satan with fleshly weapons of human wisdom and strength but that is not where true victory lies.  Human wisdom and strength have no place in this battle.  This is a spiritual battle, one we are not equipped to fight without the strength and protection of the Holy Spirit.  
Only spiritual weapons are divinely empowered for over throwing the fortresses of evil. There is a temptation to meet a Satan of with fleshly weapons of human wisdom and strength but that is not where true victory lies.  
Satan loves to distract us from the joy and blessing of the upward call of Christ by focusing our attention on what we are doing instead of who and Whose we are.  In Revelation, Satan is referred as "The Accuser of the Brethren"as he seeks to destroy the confidence and victory of believers.
The whole of any person has strength and weakness, good and bad and faith and fear.  Instead of walking in victory we succumb to a guilt and defeat triggered by a single area of weakness.  This does not mean we should ignore our sin but that we should find our identity in Christ as we seek to be freed from it.  It just means to be aware of your enemy, Satan, who loves it when he can persuade us we are not worthy of victory.  
The work of God in a believer's life to transform them into the image of Christ is sanctification.  The issue is not what sanctification is but how it is accomplished.  If by obedience and works, we will focus on our ethics and morality.  If by our spiritual discernment and power, we will focus on God.  Growing in faith and righteousness will not occur without a concerted effort on the part of a believer to yield to the Spirit of God within.
Sanctification by God seems to have been replaced with obedience by men.  But God says And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
Conformation to God's precepts and principles is not God's transformation of our heart by His Spirit and The Word.  God has promised to change us, not help us change ourselves. The answer to overcoming our strongholds lies completely in His hands. Place your weakness there today and start the beautiful journey of transformation.  

Scripture to Claim:
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

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