The Next Day
>> Thursday, October 2, 2008
Eldredge discusses a different aspect of spiritual warfare in this section - shown when sorrow tries to transfer from his suffering friend to him. He says that "This is how Satan works. He seizes upon our trials or weaknesses or unhealed places and 1) magnifies them and 2) puts his "spin" or interpretation on it in order to 3) get an agreement with us so that he can 4) creat a stronghold there." Where you aware of this dynamic? Think about others in your life who might be struggling with something...how you feel when you are with them or after you are with them. Have you ever expeirenced anything similar to what Eldredge discusses here?
Read the following scriptures and then pray and ask God if there is anything here that He is asking for you to be in agreement with Him on: Jeremiah 31:3-4, 1 John 3:1, Romans 5:5, John 16:27, John 17:26.
3 comments:
These next few sections were so eye opening to me. As scary as they were to think of this next level of spiritual warfare, I was blown away by it. I have seen this happen before but didn't realize what was going on. It makes perfect sense that Satan would try anything to get at us.
I can often feel myself taking on the struggle of a friend. If I've spent alot of time with someone who is down in the dumps, I tend to drag myself down too. If I spend alot of time with someone who is angry with their husband, I tend to find things wrong with Jeff. This has also tied into what I've been reading in Lies Women Believe. We sometimes don't have control over our circumstances but we certainly have control over how we react to them. After reading this section I have become more aware of just how much other peoples struggles affect my own.
The scriptures all refer to God loving us. If we are in agreement with God over this, how can we go wrong?
This section was really freaky to me. I had no idea. What an eye-opener...it makes me look back and wonder what I have let happen in the past.
The scriptures were a wonderful reminder of His love for us....a reminder that I really happen to need at this moment :)
I am right there with both of you. I had been made aware of spiritual attacks, but not in this way. Pastor Scott also discussed something similar to this just last week. It makes perfect sense, though. As I look back, I can see this happening in my life as I have been with others who are struggling with certian things. I am very thankful for this section because now I can better guard myself during those times.
Similar to what Julie said about becoming angry with Jeff, I had a circle of friends a long time ago who used to sit around and complain about their husbands all of the time. It was like a hobby or something. God had showed me that I was becoming more critical of Zach when I spent time with that group of friends. It really took the joy out of being with those friends. Thankfully, He opened my eyes to it and I was able to begin to brag on Zach as the other ladies were complaining. They would almost do a double take! If he were there, I would try to brag on him within his earshot, which built him up. He is such a blessing and I wanted everyone to know it.
I love the scriptures given because of the focus of His love for us, so perfect, precious and such and unconditional and unfailing love.
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