Fasting seasons enhance the opportunity to overcome temptations of the flesh, strengthening warfare if we proactively engage instead of turning a blind eye. With a prolonged fast longer than 21 days, there is potential to activate neurochemical rewiring of the brain and lay down new neuron pathways, replacing ungodly strongholds with godly strongholds. If we know in advance that the devil is going to throw a left hook, then we can be prepared to block it with ease compared to being in reaction-panic mode. The prophet Elisha told the King of Israel everything the enemy kings were saying behind closed doors and as such, they were able to out-maneuver every time. It didn’t mean they lived a cakewalk but rather they came out victorious because those who listen to the prophets prosper. Some battles they avoided, others they had the advantage due to their secret intel.
In a previous post, I felt to include the entirety of Psalm 37 and not just the single verse I had referenced. A couple days ago, the LORD highlighted that this was more than just a reference for my blog post, but rather the entire chapter was our NOW season battle manual. Below are some of the devil’s strategies to be on guard against. Then when you see the temptation dangling like a carrot in front of your nose, you know it’s toxic. Keep your mouth shut, refuse to swallow the bait, and shift your focus.
What to avoid:
– Fretting over what evildoers are up to (vs 1) (“Did you hear about the terrible things happening on the news???”)
– Envying the of workers of iniquity (vs 1) (“Why do I have to do without just to be obedient when they still get everything in their sin?”)
– Temptation to doubt the LORD (vs 3) (“Maybe I misunderstood what God said. What if it I step out in faith and fail?”)
– Cease from anger and forsake wrath (vs 8) (**irritation, frustration are still forms of anger)
– Borrowing and not paying back what is due (vs 21) (**bills, credit cards, friend’s belongings, etc. activates a curse upon your life)
– Condemn others (Vs 33) (“(S)He’s doing this, that, and the other thing wrong.”)
– Compromise (vs 37) (“God gave me the increase so I can still go and lease the vehicle over 5 years so he’s still GIVING me the vehicle, right?”
– Begging (vs25) (**Spirit of Poverty)
Participating in these 8 things will open the door for judgment and curses to be activated upon your life, enabling the enemy to steal, kill, or destroy what God desires to bless you with. Therefore keep our shields up to possess and guard abundant life.
What to do:
– Delight yourself in the LORD (vs 4)
– Commit your way unto the LORD (vs 5)
– Trust in Him that he shall bring it to pass. (vs 5)
– Rest in the LORD (vs 7)
– Wait patiently for Him to move (vs 7)
– Be meek (vs 11)
– Be just (righteous) (vs 12)
– Be not ashamed in the evil time (vs 19)
– Be satisfied/content (vs 19)
– Show mercy and give/lend (vs 21,26)
– Allow the LORD to order your steps (vs 23)
– Delight in His way (vs 23)
– Depart from evil and do good (vs 27)
– Love and talk about judgment (vs 28,30)
– Speak forth God’s wisdom (vs 30)
– Hide God’s law in your heart (vs 31)
These are the proactive things you can do to build your defense system, not only for this current season, but for the rest of your lives.
No responses yet