Faith is not only choosing to believe what God says is true in His Word it is deliberately choosing not to believe the false beliefs that the world, flesh, and the devil throw at our minds.
In Romans 4:18 while Abraham was believing that Sarah would have a son, he was also making choices about what he wouldn’t believe. In Romans 4:18 the Scripture says.. “Who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken.”
There were many thoughts and feelings contrary to his hope he had to deal with. Discouragement and hopeless thoughts no doubt often tried to sneak into his mind. One commentator says, that Abraham hoped even when his mind was telling him all of the reasons he shouldn’t hope.
One of the most important uses and activations of our faith is to ward off this kind of negativity. In Ephesians 6:16, while Paul is talking about the armor of God he says, “above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all of the fiery darts of the wicked one.”
I love that he says “above all.” The first line defense of our life is against the missiles of negative thoughts launched against us. Perhaps it is against the helmet of our salvation, thoughts that would condemn us and make us doubt we are saved. The shield of faith breaks the power of that thought before it can get through the helmet of our salvation.
I like to say learn to doubt your doubts and believe your beliefs. Here are some examples of lies that I have had to strike down.
-I can’t have joy now with so many negative people and circumstances around me
-It is inevitable that millions of people will die from this plague
-Because I’ve failed and sin I’m a slave to that sin now
-Because people have rejected me I must be no good
-Because life is hard and chaotic I have to be miserable
-Because that person is offended we will never be restored in fellowship again
No way do those kinds of missiles have to get pass our armor. When we reject the lie and partner with what Holy Spirit shows us is the truth about those things, the lies melt like wax when they hit our shield.
Love,
Dale
To watch a short video on this subject go to: https://www.facebook.com/102290718050412/posts/124513282494822/?vh=e&d=n
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