Unfriend Him
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:21 (NIV)
Are we really our own worst enemy? Perhaps the answer is yes when we allow the father of lies to occupy space in our minds. He speaks ugly words of guilt, criticism, and judgement to us and about us…and we tend to listen. Grace Fox (Mornings with Jesus) tells us we can unfriend him and shut the door on self-destruction.
*****
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized the need to eat healthfully. But that’s easier said than done. I’ve identified behavioral patterns that self-sabotage my best intentions. The most flagrant happens when I drive long distances. That’s when I tend to binge on potato chips. I justify myself by claiming that the crunch keeps me awake at the wheel. And then there’s the red licorice. No crunch there, but I indulge anyway. Guild floods me when I see the empty junk-food wrappers. You’re a failure. You blew it again, whispers an accusatory voice in my head.
In past years, I let that little voice heap condemnation on me. The weight of guilt drove me to eating junk food for comfort. I reasoned that gobbling a chocolate bar wouldn’t make any difference since I’d already blown it. But now I recognize that voice as belonging to the enemy of my soul. He wants to destroy me, and he uses condemnation as one of his tactics.
Jesus never condemns me or any of His children. He speaks words of truth and life to help us change, grow, and flourish. In His strength, I’m learning to say no to self-sabotaging behaviors more often than not. When I make an unhealthy choice, I listen to Jesus’s encouraging voice and not the whispers of disapproval.
FAITH STEP: Write a prayer asking Jesus to help you recognize the enemy’s voice of condemnation in your life. Thank Jesus for His encouragement and for freedom from condemnation.
Gracious and loving God, thank You for Your patience, kindness, and comforting words. We make a mess every day, but You love us back into Your warm embrace. Help us to unfriend and delete the enemy from our lives. Please help us to only recognize Your voice. AMEN.