Wash, Rinse, and Repeat...Wash, Rinse, and Repeat...

It’s what we should do whenever we suffer a flesh wound to our body in order to prevent unwanted bacteria and germs finding its way in to cause infection. In fact, if you have ever been treated for an open wound, or even after having surgery, how often are we told to ‘clean’ that area multiple times a day until completely healed? We ‘get that’.

I’m telling you...it should be no different when we suffer a ‘spiritual wound’, one that usually comes at the hands of our spiritual enemy - Satan (1 Pet. 5:8; Eph. 6:12; 2 Cor. 2:11). Care to guess what we use to ‘wash’ that affected area? How about God’s word? (Eph. 5:26; John 15:3)

And truth be told, having immersed one’s self in God’s word prior to...the wounding... may have prevented a lot of problems to begin with. Do you remember how Jesus ‘resisted’ the devil who spent 40 days in the wilderness trying to tempt Him, hoping to gain access into His life (Mark 1:13)? He simply used the ‘sword of the Spirit...which is the word of God’ (Eph. 6:17) in response to every attack and/or temptation...”It. Is. Written.” (Luke 4:4,8,12)

If it worked for Jesus, why would we not want to employ the same strategy when we are attacked or tempted? I mean...if one is truly abiding in Jesus, they ‘ought to be walking just as He walked’ (1 John 2:6), unless you have a better idea or strategy? And how has that worked out for you?

I realize all this talk of devils and demons can make folks uncomfortable in today’s ‘enlightened and educated’ world; and it’s probably easier to dismiss such talk as being ‘symbolic metaphors’ and such. Bad mistake. No wonder ‘God’s people...are destroyed for a lack of knowledge’ (Hosea 4:6).

The Bible did not advise us to ‘ignore...the devil’; we were told to ‘resist him’ (Eph. 6:11; James 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:9). And if/when we do...we are told ‘he will flee from you’ (James 4:7). Which is exactly what he did after Jesus stood His ground using the word of God. But take note of what it says there in Luke 4:13- “...he departed from Him - until an opportune time.” 

Care to guess what that implies? Yes...he will be back. And here’s a *news flash* - if standing on God’s word worked the first time, why opt for something else, like ignoring or taking his return lightly? We do that, you know...we can ‘grow at ease in Zion’ (Amos 6:1) or get complacent (Zeph. 1:12) and the next thing you know...you are worse off in the end, having ‘given place to the enemy’(again) who brings back seven other spirits worse than himself (Eph. 4:27; Matt. 12:45). Friends...it’s one thing to read ‘fiction’, but I hope you are in the camp that believes the Bible is ‘Non-Fiction’. God means what He says. (Rom. 3:4)

So for anyone who after yesterday’s lesson...actually put in to practice what you read, by praying and confessing, as you ‘repented’ of this sin of bitterness and unforgiveness... and then actually ‘sensed...something’ depart... I would imagine you also felt or sensed a wave of peace wash over you. If nothing else, you probably felt a little ‘lighter’...as you ‘laid aside that weight and sin that had ensnared’ you? (Heb. 12:1). You can thank the Great Physician for that! I also mentioned yesterday that this sense of ‘peace’ is something we are told to pursue and walk in, as in all the time. That’s what we’ve been called to (Heb. 12:14; Col. 3:15). And this should be helpful, I hope: When you lose that peace...it’s usually a ‘sign’ that you have veered out of your lane of abiding...and a ‘course correction’ would be good to do sooner than later. Trust me on that one.

Now most people who have been treated by a doctor, either in a clinic or in the OR...are usually scheduled to come back for a ‘follow up’ visit, to make sure things are healing correctly. It might even include some ‘tests’ to make sure things are all well. Guess what? God does the same thing, and will ‘test our hearts’ to make sure we are on track and following Him (Deut. 8:2; 1 Thess. 2:4), In fact, it’s not uncommon for the doctor, or their nurse, to give you a list of helpful tips to implement to ensure a healthy recovery. Just reading them, and not ‘doing them’ could spell trouble if you are not careful (James 1:22).

If the Lord set you free from a spirit of lust, or sexual immorality, or maybe pornography... one that had bound you in a bad way...praise God for His deliverance; but you might want to avoid watching those shows and clips and videos that might easily have been the source of that spirit entering in to begin with, yes? Why return to the vomit once you have been set free? (2 Pet. 2:20-22).

So how are we to respond...when these ‘tests’ come? You might want to take your time with this as it could save you a lot of pain and torment down the road (Matt. 7:43-45). To begin with, take a look at James 1:2-4. Notice it does NOT say to count it all joy “IF”...these test come, but ‘when...they come’. No surprise there, right? And what is God’s ultimate plan for us, according to vs. 4? That we be ‘perfect and complete...lacking nothing’. This is... the goal...to be made whole, holy, and pure...just like Jesus is (Rom. 8:29; Matt. 5:48; 1 John 3:3).

Now if God removed that ‘spirit of bitterness/unforgiveness’ from your ‘land’ yesterday, God also wants you to take possession of that area in your heart where He can bless you and make you fruitful. You put this area to ‘death’ once and for all and that is how the fruit of the Spirit is produced in our lives- something has to ‘die’ first (John 12:24; 3:3). If you want to see the fruit of patience in your life, you will be led to ‘die to impatience’. Care to see a bounty of ‘kindness’ in your life? Then ‘die to unkindness and sarcasm and other like-minded ‘spirits’ that are contrary to God’s nature and likeness. What a novel concept, eh? How many of you have worn yourself out...’trying harder to be...more patient and kind’, not realizing that God’s way was the ‘way of the cross’ where we are ‘crucified in Him...so that He might live and reign in us? (Gal. 2:20; John 3:30). Tomorrow...some helpful hints of ‘strategy’ when those tests come. Let me assure you, I have found great success with these.