I heard the Lord say, “Don’t back down”, and I knew exactly what He was referring to.
For the last several months I have been battling in my mind with the accuser. It began getting more and more intense the last four months. Areas of battle in my mind that I overcame many years ago started up again, and then knew what was going on. The enemy has no new tricks. When something isn’t working, he tries something else. And you can tell he’s getting desperate when he pulls something out that you have had victory over for a long time.
I was drawn to Romans 8, the passage about having the mind of the Spirit and not the flesh. When I read it in the Passion Translation I was floored.
“And you did not receive the “spirit of religious duty,” leading you back into the fear of never being good enough. But you have received the “Spirit of full acceptance,” enfolding you into the family of God.”
I had never read this verse in the Passion Translation before- and the word choice, “leading you back into the fear of not being good enough…” was extremely personal to me because this has been the primary accusation over my life.
In school, I was the C+ student. I didn’t make it when I tried out for cheerleading. I made the “B” team for Volleyball in the 8th grade. It always seemed I was never good enough, and the trend continued through my adulthood. I really overcame this in recent years, and so when I began to hear these accusing thoughts again I was tempted to quit. Thoughts like, “why am I even doing this?” “Who do I think I am?” “I am not smart enough or equipped enough for this type of ministry/work”… etc. etc.
Have you struggled with that before? Be encouraged! If you are having thoughts like that, the enemy is getting really nervous that you are confident in your identity in Christ and he’s trying to mess with your head. Don’t let him! Don’t back down! Not now! Not after you have come so far. Not after you have overcome all the trials you have.
The second part of that verse is talking about your identity in the family of God has already been settled. The choice word “enfolding” you into the family of God, instantly made me think of baking. When the recipe says to “fold in” an ingredient into the batter. You know that each ingredient becomes completely mixed into the batter and can never again be separated. Once the eggs, sugar, baking powder, etc. are all mixed in, you can not separate them again. This is why once you have received the Spirit of God, and become a part of God’s family, you can’t go back to the thinking you had when your mind was unregenerate.
If you are struggling in your identity or recently facing similar battles in the mind, I want to encourage you with this verse. Today is the day to lift up your voice, lift your head, and believe He is with you.
“You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid;”
May you be strengthened and encouraged today by the powerful name and love of Jesus.