Today I will finish with our thoughts on spiritual warfare. James 4:8 says,'Wash your hands, you sinners.' The moment you 'come near to God,' you become aware of your condition. Notice, God doesn't demand you wash your hands before He will respond to you! All your attempts at self-improvement won't work. Why? Because His grace is the only basis on which He can relate to you (Ephesians 2:89). God points to your defeat zones not to condemn you, but to cleanse you. He knows that dirty hands enable Satan to accuse you before Him so He tells you to wash your hands, 'and do not give the devil a foothold.' (Ephesians 4:27 NIV) Once you've confessed your sins and been cleansed, you can look Satan in the eye and say, 'No ground; not even an inch!' James continues, '...Purify your hearts, you doubleminded.' (James 4:8 NIV) Your heart is like a hard drive; it's where you store things. 'It is with your heart that you believe...' (Romans 10:10 NIV) Your heart generates and stores your beliefs, constructive and destructive. Once you form a belief you begin to live it out good or bad. If you allow double mindedness in- you begin to do things you know that's wrong, yet think you can get away with it. How can you overcome the enemy with a heart full of wrong beliefs and a double mind? It isn't by turning over a new leaf'? It's by coming before God and saying, 'Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a steadfast spirit within me.' (Psalm 51:10 NKJV) When you pray that way, God will cleanse you, clothe you with power, and cause you to walk in victory. You are loved!
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