From Me To You - March 2010
Posted by Brother Jacob on March 4th, 2010
Brother Jacob’s BLOG
Bad Habits Are The Result Of Spiritual Attack
In our life bad habits seem to just “creep in”. If we sit and think about these so-called bad habits, we cannot seem to recall when, where, and how they first began.
Let’s examine one of these bad habits, and discover, if we can, its origin.
Since I am a pastor, I would like to look at a Christian bad habit as it is developing.
A good Christian who prays each day, reads his/her bible, and attends church is placed in a situation of stress. “Situation of stress”; that is a diplomatic way of saying that they are under attack from the enemy, the Devil.
You see, Dear One, being under spiritual attack is like having a case of spiritual flu. In fact, it is like being physically ill. The first thing that we want to do when we are sick is to be alone. The Christian under spiritual attack, quits going to church. “I’m too troubled. I need to rest.”
We next quit fellowshipping with other Christians. We are simply too troubled to take part in relationships. We even neglect our relationship with God. Our prayer life dwindles, or disappears entirely, and we quit reading God’s word.
As the Devil’s attack becomes more intense, we develop these negative traits as habits. It becomes easier and easier not to attend church. We concentrate on finding solutions in the world, and abandon prayer. Our bible begins to gather dust.
These bad “habits” have crept into our lives. Little by little we have drifted away from God, His word and His church. Not praying, not reading the word, and not having fellowship have become habits.
May I point out other “habits” caused by Satan that disrupt our lives?
First, let me make it clear to you that all bad habits are instigated by the Devil. God is the author of all that is good in our lives. The Devil alone is the enemy.
Look at an alcoholic, or a drug addict. Their spirit knows that the poisons they ingest are not good for their body. Their body knows that they are poison. Their mind knows that what they are doing could kill them.
If it is not their body, their spirit, or their mind that is urging them to continue with their destructive behavior; then what is causing it?
Medicine believes that the cause is chemical. So they prescribe more chemicals seeking a “cure”.
Psychiatrists believe the cause is buried somewhere in our childhood. They believe that the “cure” is talk-therapy (Psychotherapy).
The average person truly believes that their addiction is being caused by someone, or something else. I know that you have heard it:
“I can’t help it. I’m Irish”
Or, “My childhood was a mess. It’s not my fault that I am the way that I am.”
Please remember what I said earlier, the Devil is always the cause of our so-called bad habits.
When we were saved, and I hope that you are saved, we (spiritually) left the world, and entered into the Kingdom of God. We became children of the living God. We are now subject to the laws of the Kingdom.
Now listen. The Devil is an enemy of God, and to those who follow Him. Did you hear that? The Devil is your enemy. He will tempt you, tease you, push you, and pull you right into sin. He does this without rest.
Here is one way the Devil gets a foothold in our lives. He appeals to our pride. Our pride causes us to judge. Judgement belongs to God, yet we judge everything, every event, and everyone around us in terms of ourselves.
When we judge some person, thing, or event to be “bad”. We just “naturally” resent it , or them. This resentment is a form of anger which is a sin.
Can you hear those afflicted by this form of spiritual attack?
“I don’t like him/her. He/she is a bad person.”
“Look at this? More rain.”
“Why do I have to wait so long? What’s wrong with these people?”
“Look at the traffic, and I’m late! Why won’t this moron get out of my way?”
On and on go the judgments, and we develop the habit of negativity. We become critical. When we do, the Devil smiles. Those around us become miserable, we are miserable, and the Devil smiles.
To escape these “bad habits” accept that the Devil is your enemy. Your mate is not your enemy. Your boss is not your enemy. The economy is not your enemy. Your parents are not the cause of your bad habits.
Satan is your enemy. Satan is the cause. He wants you discouraged, poor, unhappy, and, if possible, dead and in hell. The latter would make him laugh out loud.
Put on the full armor of God everyday. Ignore what seems to be wrong in your life, and understand that God loves you, and God is in control.
When things in your life are going wrong, or you notice a bad habit developing, understand clearly that you are under spiritual attack!
Do not stop fellowshipping. Fellowship with other Christians even more often.
Do not stop reading the word of God. If you have been reading the Bible once in the morning, begin to read it before bedtime, as well.
Increase your time in prayer. Ask for His protection. Ask Him to surround you with His Holy Spirit at all times.
Go to Church as often as you can. Find a small bible believing church that still has altar calls, and believes in the power of prayer. Go forward. Ask the Elders to pray for you.
Keep your mind off the things that are wrong in your life. Focus on our God who still answers prayer.
If you do these things, Dear One, your bad habit will slip away.
If your problem is over eating, ask for the Holy Spirit to guide you to deliverance.
If your problem is alcohol, drugs, gossip, fear, worry, or anger, do the same. God loves you, and wants you to be a beacon to others.
James 4:7
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. KJV
Questions? You are welcome to contact me. Text me at 503-539-3012, or email me: jacob@lifeboat.org. I will answer you.
Tags: Anger, Armor of God, Judgment, Spiritual Attack
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