Tag: spiritual warfare

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THIS IS WAR!

Tackling a writing project can be a battle—a hard-fought conflict with procrastination, fear, insecurity, and self-discipline.

We’ve all authored projects that took a toll mentally and physically (like being run over by a truck).

But what is the root of these issues?

For a Christian writer, our struggle is not against flesh and blood (Eph. 6:12). As we submit articles, stories, devotions, and novels with a Christ-centered worldview, we are threatening the forces of evil. Satan is not happy.

Check out verse 12 in context: For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

If we write for Christ, we are a threat to the powers of darkness. These powers of evil can attack and overwhelm us on every side. They whisper sour nothings in our ears: Who do you think you are? You’re not a writer! Why even try when you’ll be rejected? Don’t worry about that opportunity—do it tomorrow…

What’s a beleaguered writer to do?

Our answer is found in verses 13-17: Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Are we ready to take a stand?

Belt of truth: In my writing, am I staying true to the Word of God? Do I water-down the Gospel to achieve publication?

Breastplate of righteousness: Am I tempted to compromise biblical values in my work?

Shoes of readiness: Do I walk in obedience to my Lord, ready to follow His voice?

Shield of faith: Do I believe God when He says He has called me to write? Do I trust Him to guide me in my work?

Helmet of Salvation: Does Christ control my thought-life?

Sword of the Spirit: Do I live in the Word so that my life reflects His strength and glory?

Let’s not leave our armor in a drawer or leaning by the back door. It’s time to suit up and get busy.

The time is now!

 

Which piece(s) of God’s armor are you prone to neglect? Does it make a difference in your writing?

[bctt tweet=”In my writing, am I staying true to the Word of God? ” username=”@a3forme @lthomaswrites”]

[bctt tweet=”Am I tempted to compromise biblical values in my work?” username=”@a3forme @lthomaswrites”]

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Uncategorized WARFARE!

Overcome Evil With Good

I remember when I had my first Twitter shock a few years ago: I discovered that people post pornography on Twitter. Lots of people. Lots of pictures.

But that is not the shocking part. The internet is full of pornography, nothing new there.

The shocking part is that Twitter allows it. And you can get a Twitter account at any age, which in my mind equated to, “Twitter Supports Exposing Minors to Pornography.”

After my initial outraged-sobbing-yelling-hair-peeled-back explosion, I did a little internet research on Twitter and pornography. Apparently they’ve been in the news here and there for several years now on this topic. Their position is to monitor what appears directly on their site, but to not monitor links to external sites. They leave it up to the individual user to determine who to follow and who to block.

Still a bit upset about all of this, I went for my daily walk with the Lord. I walked, listened to worship music, and pondered.

“OK, well, then, I just won’t use Twitter. I’ll show them! I can’t believe so many other Christians are out there, are they all oblivious to this awful danger? What am I missing here? I just can’t believe this! I’m going to take action, write to someone, see …”

“Overcome evil with good.”

The Lord interrupted my ranting with His still small voice. The complete verse is, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21 NIV)overcome evil with good

Yes, I allowed the evil I found in Twitter to overcome my thoughts, my emotions, and my time. I was ready to attack – not just the evil, but all those who I felt should be DOING something.

Then I realized it: they ARE doing something. They are posting about the Lord, His goodness, His truth. They are sharing each other’s posts of encouragement, love, and kindness.

They are overcoming evil with good.

This is why it’s so important for all who are called to write to share on Twitter or on other social media venues. Each time we post something that glorifies God, we give Him ammunition – truth – to reach all the people who are searching, seeking, restless, and lonely. The more we share God’s truth, love, and grace online, the more opportunity everyone will have to meet Him and know Him.

Including those who use Twitter for evil. May they be overcome by Jesus Tweets!

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WARFARE!

Out of the Heart the Mouth Speaks, Part 2

Have you ever hit “send” for an email, or “publish” for a blog post, only to realize within a split second that you shouldn’t have?

Me too, more times than I can count.

I think we all know…I mean, know…when what we’re about to write is tainted with wrong attitude or judgment. We feel emotions rise up, and the thoughts we’re having aren’t quite “bless you, my friends.”

I believe that as Christian writers, we have a responsibility to set an example with everything we write; to lead the way with truth written in love. Since we know that out of the heart the mouth speaks – our true feelings will show through in our writing – we need to check our hearts before we push the button to release our words. (Read Part 1 here)

Out of the Heart the Mouth SpeaksHere are a few questions you can ask yourself before hitting “send” or “publish”.

  • Is my heart more passionate about my belief than compassionate for my readers?

Have I put myself in the other person’s shoes and read from their perspective? Would I feel respected or judged…valued or put down?

  • Do my words reflect a right or a righteous attitude in my heart?

Am I trying to impart truth in love, or trying to prove I’m right? Am I writing to point others to Jesus, or to boost support for my opinion?

  • Should someone else read this before I send it – is this topic too emotional for me?

For me, the final step before I hit send on a difficult topic is to have someone else read what I wrote – someone I trust to be brutally honest with me. Maybe more than one someone if it’s controversial.

  • Do I think I am an expert on the topic – do I have pride in my heart?

Is my writing humble and open to being imperfect…or even wrong? Did I remember that we all understand and see only in part?

For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:9-10, 12; NIV)

And finally…

  1. Have I prayed for God’s words on this topic – does He want this written?

Am I writing His message, or just what *I* feel is important? Will what I have written stir up strife?

But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. (Titus 3:9, NIV)

As Christian writers, God has a mission and message for each one of us. Let’s all resolve to continually check our hearts as we share our words. [bctt tweet=”Remember that out of the heart the mouth speaks, and we want our hearts to speak love.”]

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WARFARE!

Out of the Heart the Mouth Speaks, Part 1

I recently read a headline that jumped off the page to me: “Can a GOP So Divided by Anger Actually Govern in Washington?” What a sobering question! Many elected officials come to Washington full of ideas on how to fight for their causes. But too often, when “fighting for” a cause becomes “fighting against” anyone who doesn’t believe like they do, the noble purpose of the cause is lost in a mountain of anger, judgment, and strife. Nobody wins.

The same thing is true for the Church, Jesus’s Bride. Whether sharing about biblical principles, gifts of the Spirit, or the Bible as it relates to cultural events, our words “for” Jesus and truth can quickly become a judgment “against” those who don’t agree with us. Our life-giving message can be lost because of an emotional, angry or finger-pointing delivery at those who we feel are wrong.

In both cases, out of the heart the mouth speaks.

The [intrinsically] good man produces what is good and honorable and moral out of the good treasure [stored] in his heart; and the [intrinsically] evil man produces what is wicked and depraved out of the evil [in his heart]; for his mouth speaks from the overflow of his heart. (Luke 6:45, AMP)

We can become prideful, self-righteous, or offended when our opinion is not accepted. Every impure, fleshy heart attitude shows up in the tone of our words. Sometimes our need to be right trumps the original goal of encouraging others toward what we believe…and as Christians, toward truth. We forget that we are all equal at the end of the day – we all can be equally wrong or equally right at any given moment depending on what we’ve learned and experienced to date. And, that our own opinions are just that, and subject to change as we learn more.

out of the heart the mouth speaksTo clarify, it’s OK to expose lies, wrong doctrine, and sinful behavior; but it’s never OK to write an angry message against someone who believes differently; or to judge their motives. Out of the heart the mouth speaks, so we must first check our own motives.

When exposing lies or sin, our role is to respectfully and lovingly write truth as we understand it so the Holy Spirit can use our words to convict the reader. If, instead, we judge the wrong-doer or criticize them, the enemy can quickly turn our words into condemnation.

How can we self-check our writing to see if it is ready for public consumption? Stay tuned for Part 2…

[bctt tweet=”Out of the heart the mouth speaks, so we must first check our own motives.”]