STRUGGLES 101: THE WARRIOR'S GREATEST ENEMY MAY BE THE MAN IN THE MIRROR
From The Heart of SlickRick Co-Host of Podcast
STRUGGLES 101: THE WARRIOR'S GREATEST ENEMY MAY BE THE MAN IN THE MIRROR
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts." — Psalm 139:23
Every warrior expects opposition from the outside.
We prepare for attacks from the enemy.
We train for adversity.
We anticipate resistance.
But one of the greatest battles a warrior will ever fight is not against another person.
It is against self-deception.
Self-deception is one of Satan's most effective tactics because it quietly distracts us from the purpose God has placed on our lives. The enemy doesn't always have to destroy a warrior if he can simply keep him distracted, comfortable, prideful, or convinced that he is always right.
The truth is this:
Every one of us has been called by God.
"For many are called, but few are chosen." — Matthew 22:14
God has given every man a purpose, a responsibility, and a Kingdom assignment.
The enemy knows he cannot cancel God's calling, but he will do everything possible to keep us from walking in it.
THE DANGER OF SELF-DECEPTION
How often do we justify our actions instead of examining our hearts?
How often do we defend our attitudes instead of asking God to correct them?
We become experts at explaining away our behavior while convincing ourselves we are right.
Instead of repentance, we offer excuses.
Instead of humility, we defend our pride.
Instead of surrendering, we choose self-reliance.
That is exactly where the enemy wants us.
A WARRIOR DOES NOT TRUST HIS OWN HEART
The Bible gives a serious warning to every man.
"He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered." — Proverbs 28:26 (AMP)
Our emotions change.
Our opinions change.
Our circumstances have changed.
But God's truth never changes.
A warrior who follows his feelings instead of God's Word will eventually lose his direction.
That is why Solomon also wrote:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6)
emphasizes the importance of placing complete trust in God rather than relying on personal wisdom.
Trusting in the Lord begins by believing in Jesus for salvation. When we trust in Him, we acknowledge that “salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). We then get to know God more as we spend time in prayer and Bible study. The more we know God, the more we will love Him. The more we love Him, the more we will trust in Him alone—with all our hearts—for wisdom, for decisions, for everything.
VICTORY PRAYER:
YAHWEH-ROHI give us your wisdom today.!!.! Help us to trust in you with all our hearts and not rely on our own ideas. Keep us HUMBLE and save us from PRIDE. Give us the STRENGTH to do what is RIGHT and CARRY ON our DAILY TASKS with your GRACE - In JESUS MIGHTY PRECIOUS NAME, WE PRAY.!.!