~Hot Topics~ Weapons of Mass Destruction

Grab your coffee- we've got things to discuss.

They couldn't find them in Iraq, but I see evidence of them in my own life far too often.

John 10:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

NIV

There is no hiding these in Syria...they pop up when I am least expecting it and they destroy the peace, love and joy that God truly wants me (US) to have.

These are weapons so stealth and powerful that I can be thrown right off track in the matter of minutes when I ALLOW them to be effective in my life.

Let's look at a few WMD's that the enemy uses to cause destruction in my life...

and as ~HOT TOPICS~ goes- it is then your turn to interject your input on this subject.

*COMPLAINING

I can get myself in such a rut with complaining. I think of it as a "gateway" sin...it just opens the door to other rotten attitudes.

Phil 2:14-17
14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16 as you hold out the word of life-in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. NIV

It destroys my peace and is linked hand in hand with-

*UNTHANKFULNESS

UGH! This one is especially dangerous. Our hearts can be set off track so quickly by not continuing to be thankful for ALL that the Lord has done.

Heb 12:28-29
28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our "God is a consuming fire." NIV

When I read blogs like Heather’s I realize that I have so much to be thankful for. She is walking through this difficult time with grace and not letting the cancer dictate her daily attitude and love for her God.

*CRITICISM

Matt 7:3-53

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. NIV

That pretty much says it all.
Who am I to put someone else down when I've got this telephone pole in my own eye!

*WORRY/FEAR

I can get myself in a frenzy getting worried about something that may or may not ever happen? Anybody else??

You start thinking about something and before you know it, your heart is pounding and you start reacting to a situation that has not even happened!

Psalm 91 has helped me tremendously in this. Here is a portion of it:

Ps 91:9-11
9 If you make the Most High your dwelling — even the LORD, who is my refuge — 10 then no harm will befall you,no disaster will come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your way NIV

*PRIDE

Prov 16:18
18 Pride goes before destruction,a haughty spirit before a fall. NIV

Need I say more?

*ANGER

The Word of God says it best:

Prov 29:11
11 A fool gives full vent to his anger,but a wise man keeps himself under control. NIV

Eph 4:26-27

"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. NIV

James 1:19-21
19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. NIV

Anger in and of itself is not sinful, but what we do with it can quickly become sin and destroy the fruit of the Spirit in our hearts.

Left to ourselves, these weapons will destroy us- thankfully, we have not been left to ourselves!!

2 Peter 1:3-4
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.

4 Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. NIV

Once again- He's the answer!
Don't you just love HIM!

He loves us far too much to leave us victims to these WMD's- He's made a way of escape and it is right into His loving arms. The key lies in our knowledge (and belief) of Him and His truth.

Let's bring this all together with this:

Gal 5:22-25
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.

25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. NIV

Truth is so beautiful!