FROM TODAY’S READING (3/26/2021)...
Some things to be aware of following spiritual failure...
1. Be aware of the real enemy.
John 8:44 (NLT)...[Satan] was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.
1 Peter 5:8 (NLT) Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
2. Beware of destructive self-loathing.
Matthew 27:3-5 (NLT) When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.”
“What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.”
Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself.
John 10:10 (NLT) The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My (God’s) purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
3. Be aware of emotional fog.
Lamentations 3:24-25 (NLT) I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.”
4. Be aware of God’s desire for your life.
Galatians 5:16-17 (NLT) So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.
5. Be aware of spiritual refocusing.
1 John 1:8-9 (NLT) If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
6. Be aware of God’s fathomless love.
Psalms 34:17-19 (NLT) The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
Image: CC ("Beware of step" by Arenamontanus is licensed under CC BY 2.0)
