Is your ugly flesh showing its face again?

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 When we yield to the devil we are giving him a stronghold in our lives. Satan plays so many tricks on us trying to get us to believe that we are nothing, that we are not special in the sight of God, that no one loves us, no one treats us right, all is wrong in our family, and the big one, church doesn't feel like home anymore. Satan can trap us into thinking so many things it can tear us away from God's plan for us if we are not on guard. A loving friend shared with me that as God uses me satan is going to attack more, and boy was she right. Anytime we move to work for God and follow His will satan is there trying his best to drown us in self-pity, by putting a mighty big head on our shoulders, by bringing the worst out in us he is achieving his goal. It isn't the church, it isn't the people around us, it isn't the problem we are facing, it is satan moving through all that touches our lives when we give him an inch he will take a mile. The more room we give him to grow, he will turn into a giant and will roar over us like a hungry lion. We can't just pick up our bibles when all is wrong. We can't leave them on the shelf to collect dust. We must pick up our bibles daily and read God's word and stand with our strong tower God who will lead us through anything. If we are not allowing God to reign in our lives, we are giving satan clear room to take over, and he will take over in places we never imagined. All the times we have judged others, and said,"I would never do that!" Never say never. When we allow satan room in our lives we can end up doing things that we never though possible. We are tempted my sin daily. It is only sin when we fall into it. We must take those strongholds back and allow God to stand guard and protect us against the enemy. One wrong comment can make us grow angry, one wrong word from a friend and it can send us over the edge. When we aren't getting fed at church, could it be it is us and not the church? Could it be that we have given satan that stronghold? We can blame anyone for anything in our lives, but we must put the blame where the blame goes. It goes right back to us! When we allow satan into our lives, it is our fault, not anyone elses to blame. It is hard to face the consequences of our actions, its hard to look at ourselves and have to say to ourselves,"You haven't been living as you should." We allow so much in our lives, we allow so much time in every other area. How much time are we giving to God? For all the time wasted on things we want to do, we could be growing with the Savior who claimed our lives from the depths of hell with His own blood. We must disipline ourselves in prayer, in reading and studying God's word, and with fellowship with other christians. We must watch our tongues, for they are one of satan's favorite places to abide. We can wake and face each and every day with a new attitude, we can change ourselves, we can begin with us. God will help us overcome evil. He is strong and He will give us His strength, and for us to carry out His will, He will give us His wisdom and understanding. We must be on guard of satan and watch for his trickery. Give all we have to God and allow Him to reign in our lives in all we do. When we are focused we know what satan is trying to do, and we can move forward to Christ and tell satan to back-off ! He has no place in our lives, so why do we give him room? Take hold of your heart and seal it with Jesus Christ today, giving room for only Him...