Momentum For Monday, July 11th 2022

“For wherever there is jealousy or selfish ambition, there will be disorder and every other kind of evil.” (James 3:16)

Another lesson in freedom for me was that understanding and avoiding selfish ambition as much as possible. Thinking more of others and less about my wants is not just kind, but wise and actually a form of spiritual warfare. Here's what I mean:

There was a situation that happened some time ago that hurt me deeply, but it also left me furious. I could not sleep. Every time I would try, the situation would bubble back up in my thoughts. All I would do is replay that situation over and over, eventually making me more furious 

Then I realized something- even if I am right, staying fixated on the wrong done to me plays right into the hands of the devil. Selfishness is a tactic of the enemy to keep stealing, killing, and destroying (John 10:10). So as long as I stayed focused on the offense done to me, I am playing right into his game. Let me tell you, the moment I realized his divisiveness, I quit thinking about my feelings and went straight to sleep. Now, the problem didn't go away, but I was able to overcome the offense and heal so much quicker by being able to approach the situation with more wisdom and less emotion.

There wasn't just two people involved in this unfortunate situation, but three. The third party is crafty and deceptive to say the least. It's not one against one, but two against one and somehow, we still manage to lose when the majority is in our favor. How?

One of the biggest schemes he pulls is that of getting you to think about you and only you. And when you play his game of selfishness, catastrophe ensues. Fallouts occur. Dissentions happen. Churches split. Marriages crumble. Friends divide. But if we can catch him in his plan, we can thwart it. 

Forgiveness isn't just a command, it's psychological warfare against a very real devil. If you can start to see that the friend, spouse, or business partner is not your adversary, but the devil is, you can start to overcome the problem before you. The next time you encounter offense or conflict, ask yourself, why you feel the way you do. Are there selfish motives in there? Be honest because partnering with deception and selfishness is basically partnering with the devil.

The greatest command to love your neighbor as yourself is for our benefit of peace and community. But the moment we fixate on only ourselves, we invite chaos into our lives and open the door for the devil's schemes. Be on guard and use generosity and charity as a weapon. This world needs a little more peace and love don't ya think?

“I use God’s mighty weapons, not those made by men, to knock down the devil’s strongholds.”

(2 Corinthians 10:4)