Blessed to be Broken

I see them all over social media. You can’t get away from all the self-righteous, self-care, it’s all about me and what I want pep talks.

This isn’t about condemnation. But, for a Christ follower it could become a cautionary tale if you choose to live those pep talks out over standing on the Word of God.

“But the Fruits of the Spirt are love, joy, peace, forbearance, (patience) kindness, faithfulness, goodness, gentleness, AND self.-control. Against such things there is no law.” ~ Galatians 5:22-23 (Emphasis added)

As a follower of Christ, on the daily we’re to become more Christ-like. Not more world-like. I repeat, more Christ-like. So let me ask you, do the Fruits of the Spirit resound in you? Did you wake up with gratefulness in your heart or offense?

Did you wake up and put on the FULL armor of God, or the worldly armor of the enemy?

Let’s take a look at the full armor of God from Ephesians 6:10-18.

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

But wait, there’s one more verse that goes along with this and it gives us a way forward once we have that armor on. Verse 18 says:

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”

As a Christ follower, does this look familiar? This isn’t a fashion show. This is the truth we need to be standing on and wearing.

If this is not the truth that’s being stood upon, then let me tell you, that worldly pep talk that pumps you up into believing you’re anointed in your offense is called sand. You may have even heard it referred to as sinking sand. But, don’t take my word for it, let’s look at Matthew 7:26-27.

“And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

Yikes! What is your house (meaning you), built upon? The Word of God? Or the fickle whims and whimsy of the world?

We’re told as Christ followers to know His voice. To be able to recognize the shenanigans of the enemy.

We’re told not to be lukewarm followers. Why? Because when you’re lukewarm, you give the enemy a foothold in your house. And when the enemy goes unseen in your house, he stirs up all manners of things against the Word of God.

Instead, of being filled with the Fruits of the Spirit, you’re house is filled with the calamity of the enemy to include but not limited to, chaos, confusion, offense, and Janet Jackson’s song “What have you done for ME lately”?. They’re having a good ol’ time up in your house. Until they’re not.

Are you ripe pickings for the enemy? Have you been playing around in his playground?

How do you know? Just a few of my experiences. There’s no longer conviction flowing through you from the Holy Spirit. A choice was made somewhere along the line that your way was better, higher, and more potent than any plan the Lord could come up with. Pretty much the Fruits of the Spirit were tossed aside and instead, venom spews forth like projectile vomit.

You forgot what love the action is over love the feeling. Let me remind you. No, let the Word of God from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 remind you:

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”

Christian’s are’t called to prove their right. Every Christian on their best day, is saved by grace, yet, a sinner. If anyone thinks they haven’t sinned, well, ummm, I have unfortunate news for you. 1 John 1:8 would disagree.

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.”

Ok, where am I going with all this? Let’s go back

to the full armor of God.

“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”

Be strong in who and in what? The Lord and His mighty power. (Means not you or your puny strength. That’s right, I said puny)

“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.”

Whose armor? God’s. Why? So you can stand firm on the ROCK not the shenanigans of the enemy. By the way, it says ALL the strategies of the enemy.

“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”

Means we’re not fighting against people. We’re fighting against the unseen dark world that comes against God’s people.

Each piece of God’s armor serves a vital and divine purpose.

And don’t think that if you call yourself a Christian the enemy won’t use you for his purposes. Jesus himself wasn’t exempt from satan’s temptations, but Jesus fought the enemy off with what? The Word of God.

If your walking in offense over love, your the enemy’s perfect target.

If your words aren’t coming from those Fruits of the Spirit, you need to ask yourself where they’re coming from.

Bottom line. We’re either abiding in and walking with the Lord, trusting in His timing, His ways, and His love OR we’re abiding in, and walking with Satan, and trusting in his evil ways.

You can’t do both.

Every day we have choices to make. Throughout the day, we need to be on guard. Is it easy to lay down our offenses, our perceived control or our ways? Absolutely not.

But, I will say, that when I’ve laid down my offense(s) to God and allowed Him to take my burden(s), I’ve not had to eat crow and then in turn, repent, and ask for forgiveness feeling all the shame and guilt that came from walking in my own way. Letting my feelings push me around has gotten me in more trouble than I ever care to engage in again.

Doesn’t mean I won’t ever have to eat crow again. I’m human. And sometimes the hurt leaks out in ways I regret. And then I find myself on my knees laying it all down and asking for His direction.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, I implore you to check your house. Every single nook and cranny and refresh and fill it with the Fruits of the Spirit. Any other way, is a dead end.

“‘“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’ ~ Numbers 6:24-26