In my 84 years of living on this Earth, I have often encountered individuals who proclaim that they are Children of GOD by virtue of having placed their FAITH in THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. Yet, they continue to be tormented by sins of the past that they have committed. This is so very sad, because as Children of GOD this is completely unnecessary and actually a sinful act in itself ! GOD does not want HIS Children tormented by past sins. In fact, HE has Provided THE WAY for HIS Children to be spared this torment. There is absolutely no valid reason for a Child of GOD to suffer in his mind and his memory from any past sin. JESUS PAID FOR ALL SIN, FOR ALL TIME, FOR ALL MANKIND ON THE CROSS OF CALVARY. Still, I frequently encounter SAVED PEOPLE (TRUE CHILDREN OFGOD) who are suffering, feeling guilty, and actually being tormented by their past sins. GOD wants us to be completely free of our past sins and HE wants us to live in HIS JOY AND HIS PEACE.
OK! If this is indeed true, then how can it be accomplished in the life of THE TRUE BELIEVER? The First requirement is for us to truly BELIEVE THAT THE WORD OF GOD –THE BIBLE IS TRUE. WE CANNOT PICK AND CHOOSE WHAT WE BELIEVE OF GOD’S WORD. MY FRIEND, GOD’S WORD IS TRUE OR IT IS NOT. WE ARE FREE TO CHOOSE TO BELIEVE IT ALL OR NOT BELIEVE ANY OF IT!! HOWEVER, IF WE CHOOSE TO NOT BELIEVE SOME PORTION OF GOD’S WORD, THEN WE PLACE ALL OF IT IN QUESTION I CHOOSE TO BELIEVE THAT GOD’S WORD IS DIVINELY INSPIRED –ALL OF IT! IN 2 Timothy 3:16 we read, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (NASB) AGAIN, WE CAN CHOOSE TO BELIEVE THIS OR REJECT IT! I CHOOSE TO BELIEVE GOD’S WORD! Yes, there are parts of GOD’S WORD that I don’t fully understand. However, GOD requires me to live by FAITH not by understanding. Again, I make the conscious choice to BELIEVE GOD’S WORD by exercising the FAITH that GOD has given me. In Romans 12:3 we read this promise, “For through the grace given to me I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.” (NASB)
Again, the first requirement is for us to FULLY BELIEVE IN GOD AND IN JESUS CHRIST AND BELIEVE HIS WORD TO BE COMPLETELY TRUE!
The second important TRUTH that must be HELD BY THE BELIEVER IS THIS – WE MUST LIVE BY FAITH IN GOD AND IN JESUS CHRIST EVERY STEP OF OUR LIFE – EVERY DAY – EVERY HOUR – EVERY MINUTE – AND YES, EVEN EVERY SECOND !
Here are a few additional Scriptures that are foundational to our being able to live our daily life in FAITH !!
1. GOD’S WORD in Romans 1:17 states, "For the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH." (NASU)
2. In Hebrews11:6 we read, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” (NASU)
3. Jesus Paid for ALL SIN – FOR ALL MANKIND – FOR ALL TIME ON THE CROSS OF CALVARY! (ALL MEANS “ALL” – PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE.) REMEMBER, HE PAID FOR ALL YOUR SINS! (Read Hebrews Ch. 7-10)
4. WHEN WE SINCERELY CONFESS OUR SIN (OR SINS) TO GOD, ACCORDING TO 1 JOHN 1:9,,
“GOD FORGIVES US OF OUR SIN AND CLEANSES US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS!” (NASU)
AGAIN, "ALL” MEANS ALL!!)
GOD has provided for us to be completely forgiven of ALL SIN and to be CLEANSED OF ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. In 1 John 1:8-10 we read this promise of GOD, “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” (NASU) Notice that verse 9 begins with a very important condition, " If we confess our sins!" We must come to GOD sincerely sorry for our sins, repenting of our sins, and confessing our sins to
OUR LOVING AND FORGIVING GOD!!
OUR BRAIN RETAINS THE MEMORY OF THIS SIN. SO, WE REMEMBER IT AND IT CAN BE BROUGHT BACK INTO OUR CONSCIOUS MIND AT ANY TIME!! OR, ONE OF SATAN'S DEMONS CAN (AND WILL) REMIND US (AND ACCUSE US) WITH THIS MEMORY. WHEN EITHER OF THESE THINGS HAPPEN TO US WE NEED to remember that the devil is a liar, his demons are liars, and he is the “ACCUSER” OF THE BRETHERN” (THAT MEAN US!!) (Rev 12:10 states, "Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night.” (NASB) Yes, the devil will finally be thrown down - destroyed forever and cast into the “Lake of Fire” spoken of in Revelation Rev 20:10, “And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." (NASB)
The devil is also portrayed as “the accuser” in Zech 3:1-2, where we read, “Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.” (NASU) Remember that the devil and his demons are LIARS – they always LIE – they CANNOT TELL THE TRUTH. Even when they “quote Scripture” they will twist it into a lie. Remember, what they “whisper” in your ear is always a lie !!
SO, WHAT MUST WE DO TO GAIN VICTORY? FIRST, WE NEED TO REBUKE THE THOUGHT AND/OR THE DEMON AND COMMAND IT (THE DEMON OR THE THOUGHT) TO GO AWAY IN THE NAME OF JESUS.!!
If is truly just a thought, then we need to replace any negative thoughts of any past sin(s) with a positive thought. We cannot just stop thinking a negative thought, it must be replaced with another thought. We can exercise our own will do this and it is critically important that we do! The best thing I have found to replace the negative thought(s) is to replace it with thoughts of Thanksgiving and Praise to GOD and to JESUS CHRIST! (See Philippians 4:8) THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE DO THIS!! Personally, I have found that Counting our Blessings with Thanksgiving and Praise to GOD is the best replacement of negative thoughts available to us!! Try it. It works !!
There is a second possibility for the source of the negative thought of past sin that come to our mind (our remembrance). The demons of hell are ever present to “ACCUSE” us of our past sin. If a demon is the source of this “reminder” the thought will always be condemning in its content. This is a “dead give-a-way” of the presence of a demon. Whatever the devil and/or his demons try to tell us will always contain condemnation. Allow me to point out here that there are human beings that are servants of the devil who can also bring his message of condemnation to us. Weather the condemning negative thought comes from the devil, his demons, or one of his “human agents, we treat this thought by attacking the source of it – the devil himself. Remember that Ephesians 6:11 reminds us, “Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (NASU) When the devil, his demons, or his “human agents” are the source of the negative thought, we need to exercise “THE AUTHORITY” we have in JESUS CHRIST to command the devil (the demons) to leave us alone (to stop their harassment) in the HOLY NAME OF JESUS CHRIST!! To many this may sound silly or foolish. However, allow me to assure you that it is dead serious and Biblical (New Testament) Practice.
THE ONLY AUTHORITY WE HAVE TO DO THIS IS IN THE NAME OF JESUS!!) JESUS HIMSELF CONFERED THIS AUTHORITY UPON US AS RECORDED IN MATTHEW 28:17-20 WHERE HE STATED TO HIS DISCIPLES, “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’" (NASU) Here, Jesus confers HIS OWN AUTHORITY UPON HIS DISCIPLES TO GO (TO SPEAK AND ACT) IN HIS NAME AND HIS FULL AUTHORITY! THIS INCLUDES US! AS BELIEVERS WE ARE HIS DISCIPLES AND WE CAN GO, SPEAK, ACT, AND LIVE IN HIS FULL AUTHORITY. THIS AUTHORITY IS ALWAYS IN THE NAME OF JESUS! In Titus 2:15 we read these Words, “These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.” (NASU) We are “AMBASSADORS" of Jesus Christ. As HIS Ambassadors we go, speak, and act in (and with) HIS AUTHORITY!!
After we have dealt with the source of the negative thought we need to immediately implement the second method. The SECOND thing we need to do is this – WE NEED TO REST ON GOD’S WORD AND BEGAN TO THANK HIM AND PRAISE HIM FOR HAVING ALREADY FORGIVEN THIS SIN AND THAT IT IS GONE – YES, GONE – IT NO LONGER EXISTS!! The WORD tells us that GOD, “REMEMBERS THE CONFESSED SIN NO MORE” AND “HE SENDS THE CONFESSED SIN INTO THE SEA OF GOD’S FORGETFULNESS.” We read in Micah 7:18-19, “Who is a God like Thee, who pardons iniquity And passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in unchanging love. 19 He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities under foot. Yes, Thou wilt cast all their sins Into the depths of the sea.” (NASU)
Our remembering to “THANK GOD" and "PRAISE HIM" is so very important. Read the Psalms and notice how much “THANKSGIVING” is given to GOD. In Philippians 4:4-9 we read these Words, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you.” (NASU)
Notice that this brief Scripture gives us a very good format for our prayers.
1. Verse 4 reminds (twice) us to rejoice. We are to have (and keep) an attitude of rejoicing and thanksgiving.
2. Verse 6 tells us to ask God for our needs and always accompany our requests WITH “THANKSGIVING.” This attitude pleases GOD !!
3. Verse 7 gives us the result of our Rejoicing, our Asking, and our Thanksgiving to GOD. HIS PEACE will guard our hearts and our minds in CHRIST JESUS !!
4. Verse 8 tells us to fill our minds with thoughts that are centered on JESUS CHRIST (what is good) and to dwell on these good thoughts. In other words, we are to fill our minds with good thoughts and therefore we will preclude any negative thoughts from our minds.
5. And finally, verse 9 reminds us to “PRACTICE” these things,
IF WE WILL DO THESE TWO THINGS LISTED ABOVE, THE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS AND THE DEVIL’S DEMON(S) WILL LEAVE US AND GOD’S PEACE WILL COVER US!! THIS ACTION IS TAKEN BY US AS AN ACT OF FAITH!! REMEMBER, WE ARE COMMANDED TO LIVE BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT (NOT BY UNDERSTANDING !) (AND, EACH ONE OF US DOES HAVE A “MEASURE OF FAITH” GIVEN TO US BY GOD HIMSELF!!)
Here are some Scriptures that will help us understand the steps we must take to gain victory over the accusations of the devil and/or his demons. 2 Cor 10:3-5 states, ”For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,” (NASU) We read in Eph 6:10-18 these Words, “Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,” (NASU)
And, in James 4:7-10 we read these Words, “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.” (NASU) Notice that we must SUBMIT to GOD BEFORE we resist the devil!! We cannot resist the devil or his demons in our own human strength.
In summary, when a negative thought comes into our mind, it comes from one of two sources –our own mind (our ability to remember) or the devil through his demons and/or through one of his “human agents.” If the source of our negative thought is our own mind, then we simply replace the thought with a positive one. The best positive thought is to remind the demon that we have confessed that sin, GOD has FORGIVEN us of the sin. and HE HAS CLEANSED US OF ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS –THE SIN IS GONE – IT DOES NOT EXIST ANYMORE!! Then begin to THANK GOD AND PRAISE GOD (FATHER AND SON)!! If the source is a demon or one of the devil’s "human agents" then we REBUKE THE DEMON AND COMMAND IT TO LEAVE US IN THE NAME OF JESUS!! Then we again begin to THANK GOD AND PRAISE HIM!! DEMONS WILL NOT STAY AROUND WHEN WE ARE GIVING THANKS TO GOD AND PRAISING HIM!! Let’s study GOD’S WORD, BELIEVE IT, AND USE THE FAITH THAT GOD HAS GIVEN TO US TO IMPLEMENTHIS WORD IN OUR LIVES EVERY DAY!! MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU!!