“Like a city that is broken down and without walls [leaving it unprotected] Is a man who has no self-control over his spirit [and sets himself up for trouble].”
Proverbs 25:28 AMP
There is a fictional superhero who famously said, “Don’t make me angry; you won’t like me when I’m angry.” What he was referencing was the fact that when triggered by anger, he became a destructive green monster with superstrength.
Obviously, none of us turn green and transform into a hulking monster when set off by anger or any other trigger. However, we can probably think of a “sensitive” area in our lives that, when touched, immediately changes us from being cool, calm, and collected, into being in a state of agitation, fear, anger, or any number of other bad states.
Now, to be clear, we are not speaking here of triggers in terms of how some people currently define a trigger. That is to say, some people see as a “dangerous” trigger any opinion or way of being and doing that they don’t like. That definition of a trigger is meant to stifle other opinions and ultimately control what other people are “allowed” to think or do.
Here we are addressing triggers as things that can happen that reveal some unsanctified (unsubmitted) area in our life.
Indeed, the trigger does not change us, but rather, reveals something that was already in us, an area not yet yielded to the Holy Spirit of God.
As children of God, our behavior, attitudes, emotions, and so on, should be molded by the Holy Spirit into the image of Jesus Christ. This is accomplished as areas of our lives come under the control of the Holy Spirit, producing the fruit of the Spirit in the way we live.
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
In other words, when the Spirit is in operation in our lives, our behavior reflects those wonderful attributes of the Holy Spirit, again, the image of Jesus Christ.
However, when we allow ourselves to have personal triggers, we can suddenly go from walking in the spirit, to being very carnal (reflecting the world’s way of being and doing).
In our opening scripture the proverbial writer warns that uncontrolled emotions/behavior renders a person open to trouble. This is why Paul warned that anger can’t be allowed to fester.
“And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.”
Ephesians 4:26-27 NLT
Make no mistake, areas in our spirit not submitted to Holy Spirit control, give a place for the devil to exert his control.
Our goal must be to allow the Holy Spirit free access to ALL areas of our life so that we won’t harbor pet “monsters” that mind only the desires of the flesh.
When ALL areas of our lives are open to Holy Spirit control, all our old triggers are rendered incapable of any longer conforming us to the world’s way of being and doing.
Let’s repent for allowing triggers in our lives that can lead us into temptation and disobedience to the Lord. Let’s ask the Lord—by way of His Holy Spirit—to reveal any areas in us not yet fully sanctified (under Holy Spirit control). And, let’s always walk in the Spirit!
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
“One day the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, demanding that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority. He replied, “You know the saying, ‘Red sky at night means fair weather tomorrow; red sky in the morning means foul weather all day.’ You know how to interpret the weather signs in the sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the signs of the times! Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign, but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah. ” Then Jesus left them and went away.”
Matthew 16:1-4 NLT
Gideon had been chosen by God to liberate the Israelites from the Midianites. Given the context of the story, we can assume that Gideon had limited personal experience with the Lord. As such, Gideon felt that he wasn’t worthy to be the warrior God wanted him to be.
““But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” The Lord said to him, “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.””
Judges 6:15-16 NLT
The Lord had already given Gideon a sign (the Angel of the Lord had caused Gideon’s offering to be consumed by fire), but Gideon was still unsure.
Gideon then asked the Lord for two more signs. The first of these two signs would be that a wool fleece placed on the threshing floor would be moist from the dew, with the surrounding dirt staying dry. The second sign would be that the wool fleece would remain dry, while the surrounding dirt would be wet.
The Lord performed both of these signs, convincing Gideon that he would be able to be the hero Israel needed to free them from the Midianite’s abuses.
Many of us can identify with struggling to believe something the Lord has already said. As well, many of us also know how wonderful it is when the Lord provides signs and wonders confirming what He has said.
Indeed, the Lord promised that signs and wonders would follow those who would believe the Good News of the Gospel.
“These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.””
Mark 16:17-18 NLT
But notice, the signs FOLLOW those who already BELIEVE.
Now, the Lord in His patience and mercy, has given me so many confirming signs about His promises, that I am humbled.
However, when the Lord has clearly spoken concerning something, we should not withhold obedience until we get yet another sign. Indeed, the Lord’s word is His sign.
Further, as people who now have the Holy Spirit residing inside us, confirmation by the Holy Spirit in our spirit, should be enough.
In our opening scripture we see Jesus rebuking the religious leaders for their desire for a sign confirming His authority. This was actually at least the second time these people had asked that Jesus show a sign proving His authority to say the things He was saying.
Understand, the context here was that Jesus, even at that point, had already fulfilled so much old testament prophecy concerning the coming Messiah, that they, being students of the same, should have recognized who He was.
Indeed, Jesus knew that any further sign He would offer, wouldn’t change their minds. They had already decided that He did not fit into their agenda.
Child of God, let’s not be like the Pharisees, using the excuse that we haven’t seen enough signs to walk in obedience to what the Lord has already clearly spoken.
Let’s repent for always needing another sign. Let’s believe what God has said. Let’s be thankful when He does give us additional signs, but not require them to be obedient.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
“Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews, saying in front of his friends and the Samarian army officers, “What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices? Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap—and charred ones at that?” Tobiah the Ammonite, who was standing beside him, remarked, “That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!” Then I prayed, “Hear us, our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads, and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land! Do not ignore their guilt. Do not blot out their sins, for they have provoked you to anger here in front of the builders.””
Nehemiah 4:1-5 NLT
In our opening scripture we see that Nehemiah was trying to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. Sanballat, along with a couple of his fellow provocateurs, set out to discourage the builders of the wall. They did this by belittling their work, belittling their cause, and belittling the workers themselves. The tactic they used might now be referenced as “trash talk.” It’s what competitors do in order to frustrate or demoralize their opponents.
Understand, the devil is not known as the accuser of the brethren for nought. In fact, he is the master of accusation and demoralization. As we see in the Book of Revelation, he accuses nonstop, day and night.
“Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last— salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night.”
Revelation 12:10 NLT
Satan uses words to divide and conquer. He uses words as stumbling blocks. Indeed, he uses words as weapons. However, as children of God, we must come to realize that the only One’s opinion that matters, is the opinion of our Lord. If God has spoken something concerning us, if He has given us a mission to do, that is enough.
Of course, we should make sure that we are walking according to God’s will and purpose by carefully following His precious Holy Spirit, given to guide us in all our ways.
As well, we should not confuse godly counsel with words meant to discourage.
But—make no mistake—if you are trying (through the Grace of God and the direction of His Spirit) to do the will of God as He has revealed to you, then you should expect that there will be those who will speak against you. It’s what their father does. And it’s meant to stop you. Don’t let it!
A word of warning: Leave vengeance and exoneration to the Lord. Getting on the level of your accusers or detractors only diverts you from doing what God has called you to do.
Let’s ask the Lord to forgive us for giving ear to, and becoming discouraged by, satanic accusation, no matter from what mouth it is coming.
Going forward, let’s determine that ONLY what God has said will be the determining factor of our personal peace and the governor of what we do.
Let’s end with a scripture we considered earlier with what comes just after it:
“Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last— salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night. And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice! But terror will come on the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time.””
Revelation 12:10-12 NLT
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!