There's someone runnin' around town who likes to aim darts, hurdle stones, and whack you with weapons called words. He's vicious. No, not your husband or your boyfriend. Heaven forbid--and if that IS so, please call an abuse hotline immediately! I'm referring to someone unseen, the harasser of your life, the devil himself!
Let's zero in on one of his weapons, "stones." Now I'm using that word alot these days. I've got a husband with a kidney stone (please pray it passes!); and I've just come out of the "pits" of an internet nightmare! For over two weeks, stone after stone was hurled my way by the enemy attempting to destroy ministry on WWW. Obviously, praise the Lord, he did not succeed!
How about you? Got a stone? A rock slide? An avalanche? Let's go to the Well and find out how to get rid of the rocks in YOUR life!
A Helping Word...or Two!
S in! - Here's one the devil may repeatedly hurl at you. He constantly confronts you with your past--your sins are reviewed and magnified by him daily. But if you have confessed and forsaken those sins, they are under the Blood of Christ. God's Word, the Bread of Life, says, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1, KJV).
T emptation! - The believer faces daily temptations of life, and the enemy of your soul, knowing you well, chooses the perfect stone to wield your way. He knows your weakness, your sore spot, and that's exactly where he aims the stone. You resist, and he returns, again and again, to that same sore spot. Your weapon? The armor of God (see Ephesians 6:11-18), and again, His Word, the Bread of Life: "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it (1 Cor. 10:13, KJV).
O ccupational disaster! - Here's a stone being tossed at many a believer today. Suddenly you find yourself without employment; bills mount; needs multiply; worry strikes; and the devil laughs with glee at your discomfort. Words come fast and furious--"So where's your God now? You honor Him, and see what happens?" But if you can turn for a moment to another Voice, He, your Bread of Life, your provider, whispers gently, "But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19, KJV).
N ever-ending troubles! - A barage of stones fly through the air aimed at you and your family! Disease, marital problems, family feuds--that's the "biggies"--then there's the little "pebbles" of daily hurts and irritations--pile them one on another, and you're stressed out! Should that surprise you? You're human! And the devil knows it. But, so does your Lord--hear the testimony of David, His servant, as he tends sheep on his own rocky hills: "This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles (Psalm 34:6, KJV).
E verlasting damnation! - If Satan cannot knock you out with stones, he tries a boulder: "You're not saved; you're going to hell; you're not secure in your salvation--why, you may blow it, and lose it all tomorrow!" On and on, the words bring torment. Well, it's time to resist.! Jesus is the Bread of LIFE--everlasting life, and He assures you in 1 John 5:13 (KJV): "...that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."
Sticks and stones; hurtful words. All sent to destroy you. But you have a choice - stones or Bread! Receive the stones and live in pain. Receive the Bread and live in peace. Which will it be?
And that's just a word...or two, from my heart to yours!
His Healing Word
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:11, KJV).
