Who is Speaking?

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

 

Ever woke up in the middle of the night with a thought that would not let you sleep; how about while driving home. Perhaps you are in church or at the grocery store and the thought grips you. You are wondering; is it true? The better question is: Who is speaking? Is it the Advocate or the Accuser? One promotes life the other death. The one who pleads on my behalf; the one who intercedes and appeals for me is the Advocate! The one who points the finger and tries to humiliate me or sows dishonor to the person the Lord is shaping and molding daily into his image, that is the Accuser.

Are you a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ? Think you are shielded from such thoughts? Even worse; they come in floods and try to suppress our tongues from praising God. They try to steal the joy that God has given us. They bring confusion and shame. They speak, ridicule and belittle the believer who has been made in the image of God.

The Accuser promotes pride. The Advocate, the Avenger (I like that, the righter of wrongs; the Punisher) he promotes humility. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.. Psalm 25:9

Often when a thought tries to invade me; before I begin entertaining it: I ask myself; who is speaking? Are these thoughts trying to make me feel better or worse? Do they come at me like darts, trying to leave scars? Has the accusation captivated my thoughts to the point that I have just made it a "god"?

I am listening attentively, I am consumed by it, my focus is completely at its disposal; I have even forgotten to invite Jesus to the conversation. I have built an alter and I have "worshiped" every thought that has come to destroy me. If I am not careful, I will begin to agree with it. I will partake in this ceremony of destruction; a demise to my spirit; a clear demolition of all that God has been building in me. I erect a "golden calf" and I am satisfied even as I engage in idol worship. Idol, an obsession that has taken me captive.

We demolish arguments and every pretentious thought that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Thank the Lord for his intrusion; for the invasion of his Spirit, the Avenger. Oh, a shield that is raised; a swift reminder to open my mouth and begin to exalt the Advocate, the King, my Redeemer. Come with a song; begin to agree with the Word that became flesh; ask my Defender to pulverize and bring the demise of these accusing thoughts that stem from the pit of Hell. It really does not matter what the thought was; big or small.

The question is who is speaking? If the Lord wants to get my attention, bring correction to my life, he knows how to take this clay and throw it in the fire, melt it, mold it, break it and reshape it.

The Accuser throws me in the fire and leaves me there to die.

Examination is good but if it leads to guilt and I begin a destruction pattern that leads to death; I'm inviting Jesus to the party, He is the giver of Life!

A battle was about to begin last night, woke me up; but I called on the Name of Jesus! Hallelujah!!! Are you in the midst of a battle right now--STOP-- call on the name of your Avenger; he knows how to crush our enemy.

God bless you!~Liz