John 10:10 (NKJV) The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
The thief, the enemy of our souls, has come for one reason; To destroy us.
Now, most people, when they think of this verse and its meaning, will think of things like literal death and visible destruction; things like alcoholism, drug addiction, diseases, etc. And these things are definitely some of the kinds of destruction that the enemy will bring.
But we want to warn you today about another, more subtle kind of destruction. This is a kind of destruction that comes quietly, slowly and stealthily. In fact, it comes in so subtly that many of us never see it coming.
You see, if the devil was to tempt us with something like drugs, alcohol, stealing or killing, we would see it for what it is. It’s so obvious to most of us that we would recognize it as bad and run far from it (hopefully).
But when the enemy comes against us with subtle things, we are more apt to be deceived and fall into his trap, especially if our discernment isn’t sharp or if we let the things coming against us harden our hearts.
So what is it that can come in so quietly that we don’t recognize it? Anger, bitterness, unforgiveness and hatred, to name a few.
Bitterness can eat us up, from the inside, out. It can harden our heart a little tiny bit more each day. Bitterness will pour a new, thin layer of concrete over our heart with each day that passes, until we get to the point where our heart is encased in cement, unreachable and like an impenetrable fortress that keeps everyone out.
This is the biggest danger we face as believers, when it comes to protecting our walk with God and our relationships with others that God has placed in our lives.
Are you struggling with bitterness today? Are you holding onto anger about something that someone has done to you? LET. IT. GO. In the name of Jesus!
Give it to the one who died for us. He has come to give us peace and give us life… life more abundantly and life to the fullest. Surrender it to Him and lay it at His feet.
Let Him bring His joy back to you and let Him heal you and restore your joy and your faith. He’s waiting for you.
Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie
Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808
401-315-0902
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