From my notes I present the Bible Study, at our church on Sunday
Things happen and we face
various circumstances. Some are jealous
because others prosper, or rebel because they are not allowed to do certain
things.
This occurs in various cultures, work places and can also
happen in churches.
We must learn how to come against a "spirit
of Jealousy." Thoughts are planted
by the devil in our mind and we either accept the idea, or reject it.
When we invite Jealousy to occupy our mind, we
are agreeing with the devil, and the devil is a liar.
John 8:44 (b) He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode
not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he
speaks of his own will: for he is a liar, and the father of lies.
1 Peter
4:1-8 reminds us that we once walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine,
reveling, banquets and abdominal things, but no longer do we welcome these
habits or lifestyles into our dwelling.
Our
enemy also enjoys placing in our thoughts a "spirit of Rejection"
that says, you are not worthy of God's love or His blessings. Our enemy tells us that we are not good
enough and that we should earn God's love by sacrifice and doing good
works.
It is not wrong to sacrifice or do
good works, but realize our motive must be right. We can never EARN our salvation because Jesus
freely paid for you and me to have our sins forgiven and to receive Eternal
Life.
We must
be sober and watchful because the enemy is tricky and enters unawares if you
open the door. As we practice
discernment, we can catch the enemy up front before harm is done.
Understand
that you have authority to command spirits of Jealousy or Rejection to leave,
to stop, to cease and to be no more.
Replace these thoughts with thoughts of love and goodness.
The
spirit of "Offence," and the spirit of "Anger" are another
spirits that many of us need to deal with and overcome. It is best not to give in to these things
that try to overtake us.
Peter
continues to remind us "Above all else have fervent love for one another,
preferring the other before ourselves, and to use hospitality without
grudging. If anyone speaks, let him
speak as the "Oracles of God."
Our
words are important, that we speak words so that God is glorified.
As the
Holy Spirit gives us words to share, may they be with discernment and kindness
even as we prophesy, so that our words help and bring mercy and comfort.
Peter urges you and me to humble yourselves and
cast all our anxiety on Jesus for He cares for us.
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