Many Years ago, I had friends at Church, Sandy and Dennis that got me on staff at a Dr. Mark Rutland, Youth Advance Retreat as one of the many Youth Counselors. We were there to keep the teenagers safe. My daughter was one of the many teenagers and I was glad Safety First was a big rule. If you have ever been on a Spiritual Retreat or worked in any type of Ministry you know there is a spiritual war going on. Unfortunately, the enemy of God can be sneaky like a fox, powerful like a large roaring lion or cunning like a snake. In Luke 9:58 I am reminded that foxes have cunning schemes. In 1 Peter 5:8-9 I am reminded that a roaring lion can be intimidating. In 2 Cor 11:3 I am reminded that any of us can be misled by a cunning snake.
Discernment of Spirits
At one of the staff training meetings, I came under Spiritual Attack. This attack came at me as if Jesus was giving me a commandment. I had prayed for Discernment, and I was surprised how this felt powerful like Jesus. However, it just did not line up with Scripture and lacked the Holiness of God. I would have given in except I remembered a Sermon preached on 1 Cor 14:40 about God being the God of Decency and Order. This spirit spoke with authority trying to use Scripture I believed in against me. It said, “Touch his garment and you will be healed.”. It would have been easy to touch Dr. Rutland as he walked past me.
Fortunately, even though I admired Dr. Rutland, I still knew he was a busy human trying to do his job. I also knew God is the God of second chances. Jesus used those beliefs and the Sermon on 1 Cor 14 to help me resist the false spirit.
We Need the Holy Scriptures
I am grateful God brought that 1 Cor 14 Sermon to my mind. That false spirit wanted to disrupt Dr. Rutland’s train of thought, put his meeting into disorder and get me kicked out. Sermons preached in Truth, based on Scripture are necessary for our Spiritual Health. Even if you are unable to physically attend a Church or a Synagogue there are YouTube Sermons waiting for God to use to bless and equip you. Let God help you find the right one for you.
The Holy Scriptures equip and bless us. Three Books in the Bible, 1 Cor 12-14 tells us everything we do should be done in God’s Love. 1 Cor 14:40 tells us things should be done decently and in order. At the time of my spiritual attack, I chose not to do anything because, I was confused and not positive I was hearing from God. There was also a warning that if I did not do what I was being told to do that I would never be healed. There was also a small tone of condemnation on being considered faithless and disobedient. It was my confusion on who I was hearing from, that kept me from following the false spirit. It is okay to question and wait on God’s confirmation.
There is No Condemnation in Christ Jesus
God disciplines us without condemnation. It is hard for me to explain discipline without any condemnation. Looking back at times when God has disciplined or warned me; There was not any condemnation. God does not use fear tactics to control me, instead He tells me to fear not. I am also amazed how He won the victory that day, so gently. My victory obviously belongs to Christ!
Focus on God and Know Who He Is
Lord God Almighty, sanctify me in Your Holiness through Your Messiah, Jesus. Jesus You are the Lion of Judah, and no one roars louder than You. Yet, I remember the day You helped me to not listen to a false misleading spirit, by gently bringing a Sermon based on Scripture to my mind. You also reminded me You are the God of second chances and no matter how Spirit filled a Man of God is, he is still not God. Holy Father of Love please give the gift of discernment to all of Your children through Your Holy Spirit. Bless and equip each person that is seeking You. Teach us to use Your Spiritual Gifts and talents infused with the Fruits of the Holy Spirit with self-control. Help us do all things You ask us to do in decency and in order according to Your Purpose. Help us find our place in the Church or Synagogue where You want to equip and bless us. Help us walk with You in love. In the Mighty name of Yeshua, the Messiah, Jesus be glorified. Amen.