The Battle

Someone once said “be kind for every one you meet is fighting a hard battle” I am fighting a hard battle. I suspect if you admit it you are too. There are people fighting addiction every where you look. For some it is an addiction to drugs. To others it is an addiction to power or money. To others it is sexual sin and to others it is something internal, deeply seated. Sometimes it is so deeply seated that it has become a part of who we are. We no longer realize it is there. It is relentless and ferocious. Many times it lies dormant, then it comes to light when we least expect it. It causes anger and hurt feelings. It ruins relationships that previously seemed like the strongest of bonds. 

I have been through such a time. I will not go into the details. But, I can tell you what I have learned from it. The need to control, jealousy, trying to hold on too tightly. These things can be as harmful as a poison. Past betrayals and old wounds cause harm to your soul and especially if one cannot forgive and let go. It causes you to become wary of threats real or imagined. You become very defensive and alert to anything perceived as a hazard. It is a tormenting to live in hypervigilance.

In Mark chapter 5 it is recorded that Yeshua cast an unclean spirit out of a man that was suffering greatly. It says that he lived among the tombs and that He broke every chain and shackle That no one could restrain him. He cried out and cut himself with stones. He was obviously possessed by a demon.

I do not believe that things like Jealousy, greed, lust are necessarily demons. I do believe however that they are both human nature and unclean spirits. These spirits try to usurp the human will above the will of YHVH. They try to get you to grasp for control. You try to control things that really aren’t in your control and before you know it you are acting irrationally. You say things that you should not. You do things that are alien to your usual nature. Before you realize what has happened you have fallen into sin. 

How do we overcome this problem? I think the problem stems from a lack of trust in YHVH. Please read these scriptures and remember them when you feel the need to control.

Psalm 91

1“You who dwell in the Shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shade of the Almighty,

(Notice that this is not for everyone. It is for those that dwell in the shadow of the Most High. Those that live in a relationship predicated on repentance and obedience to YHVH).

2 Say to the Lord, “My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust.”

3 He will rescue you from the fowler’s snare, from the destroying plague,

4 He will shelter you with His pinions, and under His wings you may take refuge; His faithfulness is a protecting shield.

5 You shall not fear the terror of the night nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 Nor the pestilence that roams in darkness, nor the plague that ravages at noon.

7 Though a thousand fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, near you it shall not come.

8 You need simply watch; the punishment of the wicked you will see.

9 Because you have the Lord for your refuge and have made the Most High your stronghold,

10 No evil shall befall you, no affliction come near your tent.

11 For He commands His angels with regard to you, to guard you wherever you go.

Mathew 6

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t there more to life than food and more to the body than clothing? 26 Look at the birds in the sky: They do not sow, or reap, or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you more valuable than they are? 27 And which of you by worrying can add even one hour to his life? 28 Why do you worry about clothing? Think about how the flowers of the field grow; they do not work or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these! 30 And if this is how God clothes the wild grass, which is here today and tomorrow is tossed into the fire to heat the oven, won’t he clothe you even more,[as] you people of little faith? 31 So then, don’t worry saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For the unconverted pursue these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.

Repent, obey, trust.