My God
[Part 3 of a series on spiritual warfare]
Have you ever heard someone speak about "their God?" My God is this. My God is that. My God wouldn't do xyz. Maybe you have said those words or something like it. When we say, My God in this way, it implies something. It might imply that I have created a God who agrees with me (rather than me agreeing with my Creator God). It might imply that there are multiple gods and this is the one I have chosen, when the reality is that there is only one true God, and He has chosen me. It might imply that each of us gets our own God, as if there are many to choose from when there is only one. All others are counterfeits.
Identity Theft
We often read about identity theft, where someone pretends to be you and spends all your money or sells your house. There is another kind of identity theft – a spiritual one. God wants to show us our true identity, and Satan wants to prevent that. He wants to steal the identity we have been given.
Something is Not Right
One of my favorite children's books is Madeline, which is about a little girl in Paris. In the story you will find this line, Miss Clavel turned on her light and said, "Something is not right!"
Spiritual warfare is when "something is not right" in our life.
Listen Well
Three takeaways from a recent retreat: We have three ears. Empty is good. Love is unstoppable.
Bad Dog!
Have you ever caught your dog being bad? You scold him, Bad dog! and he slinks away in shame. I realize that some dogs are quite proud when misbehaving, but the more sensitive ones don't want to disappoint their owners.
There are times I have felt like the bad dog when I sin or fall short of my call as a Christian. I hang my head in embarrassment for disappointing God.