Attitudes that Build Strongholds of the Enemy

We continue to look at the strongholds of the enemy that keeps us distanced from God.

The first is the Attitude of Presumption.  Presumption is that which we take as truth until the evidence proves otherwise.  Just as our own legal system has the presumption of innocence, where persons are assumed innocent but must be proven otherwise.  This attitude says that, “I can sin because God will forgive me anyway!”  It doesn’t say sin is good, but removes the importance to not sin.

So if we just assume that God’s grace is a given, we loose the desire to repent and align ourselves with God’s purpose for us.  I found it odd of this presumption we have.  When I disobeyed my father, I didn’t think, “Oh I know its wrong, and I know I will get spanked, but dad will love me anyway.”  God is providing a way to avoid that sin.  Even in the face of temptation.  And His grace is there to help us say NO.  Paul here is to show that God’s grace is present, and it not only helps us say NO to sin but also YES to righteousness.

Jesus didn’t die so that we can do whatever we want regardless.  But He died to redeem us from sin and to prepare us to do good!

The second attitude is the Attitude of Secrecy.  This justifies by stating, “Its OK as long as nobody knows and it is not hurting anyone.”  This is a very dangerous mindset.

James states there are some very dangerous things happening when secrecy protects sin.  Each of us has to be very careful about the sin we keep to ourselves.  The Bible is very clear about our internal sins that can destroy us from within.  Paul tells us that we must take EVERY thought captive to the will of God.

Hebrews tells us of the word of God as a double edged sword.  It is sharp to cut through in any direction it swings.  It pierces straight to a person’s heart.  What are the attitudes and thoughts that you hold onto inside yourself?  Fear? Jealousy? Anger?  How can you take those captive and hand them to God?   then continues that everything, EVERYTHING, is laid bare before before God.  Secrecy may be with your family, friends, and those around you, but there is nothing secret from God.  Only that which we store in the strongholds away from God.

So how do we start addressing these?  It begins with prayer.  God wants us to connect, and through our humble repentance, he will bring down those strongholds.  Satan will continue to tell us to stay in the satisfaction of those presumptions and of those secrets.   But God is telling us to come to the satisfaction provider.

All the way my Savior leads me, and He will give us peace.