That Wee Small Voice
The last two weeks we have seen how important forgiveness is – it sets our spirits free. Forgiveness allows God to intervene – for Him to work not only in our lives but also in the person who provoked, irritated, crushed, or wounded us. (We all know how much more effectively God handles situations than do we.) But what happens when we hear that small voice? It comes in softly at first and reminds of the wrong, of the unjustice, done to us. What then?
2 Cor 10:5 exhorts us to "take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ,” 2 Cor 10:5b.
Yes, satan and his evil cohorts constantly bring thoughts to our minds that are contrary to His Word – that we are justified in being angry. It is satan’s desire that we allow our minds to dwell on these injustices. He wants to cripple us emotionally. The stronger our stand in resisting these thoughts, the stronger his attack will be. So, you may wonder ‘why bother – who needs this added stress when I’m already hurting inside’.
Our Lord came to set us free. He is with us, closer than a brother. He is waiting for us to turn to Him, to rely on Him moment by moment so that we can totally forgive so He can totally heal us and set us free. During these trials we must daily, hourly, moment by moment, pray that He will enable us to release the anger we hold against the other person. We need to force our minds, our thoughts, to be on His forgiveness of us, and to pray forgiveness and blessings for the other person.
We can be confident that He who began a good work in us will continue it!!! (Phil 1:6). He is developing our spiritual muscles so that we may be conformed to His image, so we can not only be free ourselves but also so we can be used of Him to bring deliverance to others.
I encourage each of us to be on guard, to be constantly aware of our thoughts, impulses, and actions. We are in spiritual warfare. The enemy wants us to live in bitterness and unforgiveness. Remember: satan’s intent is to destroy us. Hallelujah, the Word promises that as we resist the devil he WILL flee (James 4:7b) and we will be set free.
