Quote from Forum Archives on March 7, 2003, 8:20 pm

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

As we close another work week, I'd like to share a side of our
faith that I don't open up very often. I don't particularly
like to talk much about "The evil one", yet, at the same time, I
think it is important that we recognize that such a being is
real, just as much as God is real. We also need to realize
that, like it or not, we have to do battle with this "evil one"
on a daily basis. Fortunately, all the tools for doing that
battle belong to the Lord. As long as we surrender ourselves to
Him, He Himself will prevail in those battles for us. But if we
ignore this "dark side", we are deceiving ourselves.

Personally, I need to be accountable, as honest as possible,
careful to do what's right to the very best of my abilities, and
when I do fall short, quickly confess my faults, turn away from
wrong, renew my mind, and start again, drawing strength, not
from my own will but from the promises of God.

For it is God in whom I desire to be strong, not in anything
else. Let's see what Neil Anderson has to say about this as we
finish this week's set of messages.

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

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N E I L A N D E R S O N D A I L Y D E V O T I O N A L
from Freedom in Christ Ministries

March 7

FREE OF SATAN'S BONDAGE

God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all (1 John
1:5).

Nobody loses control to Satan overnight; it's a gradual process
of deception and yielding to his subtle influence. It is my
observation that no more than 15 percent of the evangelical
Christian community is completely free of Satan's bondage. These
people consistently live a Spirit-filled life and bear fruit.
The other 85 percent are struggling along fruitlessly at one of
at least three levels of spiritual conflict.

First, a believer may lead a fairly normal Christian life on the
outside while wrestling with a steady barrage of sinful thoughts
on the inside: lust, envy, greed, hatred, apathy, etc. These
people have virtually no devotional life. Prayer is a
frustrating experience for them, and they usually struggle with
interpersonal relationships and a problem-filled thought life.
Most Christians in this condition have no idea that they are in
the middle of a spiritual conflict. Approximately 65 percent of
all Christians live at this level of spiritual conflict.

The second level of conflict is characterized by those who are
plagued by condemning evil thoughts and strange "voices" which
seem to overpower them. They wonder if they are mentally ill.
Yet the majority of Christians at this stage still fail to see
their struggle as a spiritual conflict. Approximately 15 percent
of all Christians fall into this category. Most of these people
are depressed, anxious, paranoid, bitter, or angry, and they may
have fallen victim to drinking, drugs, eating disorders, etc.

At the third level of conflict, the individual has lost control
and hears voices inside his mind which tell him what to think,
say and do. These people stay at home, wander the streets
talking to imaginary people, or occupy beds in mental
institutions or rehab units. Sadly, about 5 percent of the
Christian community falls victim to this level of deception and
control.

I don't say these things to frighten you but to encourage you to
walk daily in the light. As you walk in the light, you need not
fear the darkness at any level. Every child of God can and
should be free in Christ.

Dear Lord, I choose to walk in the light today and set aside the
sinful thoughts and deeds that so easily entangle me.

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=====
--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

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