Against Such Things There is No Law

Galatians 5: 22 - 25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."
Since there is no law against the fruit of the spirit, then we see that the same applies to the Love of God. There is no law "against" it. This fruit has a limitless supply of seed to plant, which when given, returns a bountiful supply of its own kind. If there are any laws associated with these fruit and the Love of God, it is in favor of or FOR these things.

Now one can see how the kingdom of God operates. The kingdom operates on the law of Love; God's own Love. The laws of nature or natural things are suspended, (for they have limits or laws against them), but in this realm, the real of Love, there is NO law!

Now you can understand what Jesus meant when He said "you are free indeed!"

Now you can see what the "new creation" is made of; its possibilities are endless;

"All things are possible to him that believes."

You, in Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, walking in the Spirit, have come to a place where you have the mind of Christ.

Your confidence in Him is unshakable; you know who He is and who you are in Him.

You walk where He walks; You speak what He speaks through you; You fear nothing because His perfect love has casts out fear; You see the truth in every situation.

You have a peace; calmness; gentleness, a kindness that quietly overcomes every situation.

You pray for others and God answers. You spend time in prayer for others. All your needs are met, and you give as He directs you.

You have more than you could possibly imagine. The Kingdom of God has come to you! You live in it!!!

You wonder why anyone would choose anything else. Why would anyone choose a life of troubles and turmoil, when life in the kingdom of God is peaceful and full of joy?

You live and walk above worldly things. The adversary comes to you with reasons to be angry, BUT you are not easily angered.

He comes to you with pride, BUT your are not boastfu1! The adversary brings doubt, you have trust; he brings selfish thoughts, you think of and give to others. Nothing the devil brings to you can take hold...it floats away into oblivion, for only God's way, God's truth matters to you now!!

This is living in the Kingdom of God!  Praise God!!!
In the previous note "Love Hopes All Things" I mentioned 15 characteristics of God's love, and how it is projected outward towards mankind, in an overall sense. However, it is in the personal reception of this love where we experience the limitless benefits, such as: (For God is Love)
God is always (patient) with you. God is always (kind) towards you. God does not (envy) you (for he made you) God does not (boast or present Himself proud) towards you or the world. God is never (self-seeking) but seeks the best for you. God is not (easily angered) towards you. God doesn't (keep records of your wrongs) God does not (delight in evil, but rejoices in truth) God always protects you (in every way) God always trusts you God always hopes for you God preserves you (sustains) God (never fails) you
This is Salvation.   Hallelujah!!!!

Power For Us Who Believe

Do you ever feel like the whole world is against you? If you have not, well please be aware that many others have felt exactly that. Ever felt helpless? How about feeling powerless against the government, whether local or Federal? How about powerless against sickness and disease? Everything in life seems to be under the control of laws or rules. You, I and others seem to be “powerless” against this world machine we live in. You would like to just fly away into the heavens, but the law of gravity holds you down, and the atmosphere above the earth is cold and doesn’t have the life giving air mixture for you to breathe efficiently. It seems as if there is no escape. We see pain and suffering around the globe, while our leaders seem to not notice, but only hear and see through selfishness eyes, producing greed, avarice, and corruption.

Yet we live. Our gracious creator, Father, giver of life, has made everything here on earth, not only bearable but possible to live in victoriously!! You see, this physical world is what we make it (or what man has made it). God has made it so that we have victory over the world, “even our faith”. Our faith in Him, and His marvelous faith in us, His children; joint heirs with Jesus, gives us absolute dominion over our enemy and the world. That place is what Jesus spoke of in the gospels: The Kingdom of God. What is even more wondrous is, Jesus said: “the Kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:21

Ephesians 1: 18-20  I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, (19) and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, (20) which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.

In my studies of workplace diversity, workplace environments, team building, managing diversity, and leadership, I have learned much about human behavior. However, one issue I feel that is of great importance is discovering how people respond to new ideas, new technology, organizational change, and new or different types of leadership, and then how to address their responses accordingly.

More importantly, is when “believers” receive revelation from God through the Holy Spirit from His Word. How do they respond? Is it the same or similar to how people respond in their places of work when confronted with change? Since the spirit of God has essentially been removed from the workplace, one can 'naturally' assume that the response is from the soul… the mind, will, and emotions. The actual percentages of response in the workplace are quite interesting.
They are:
20% will respond favorably
50% will take the 'wait and see' approach (pragmatic or skeptical)
30% will have a negative response (traditional)

However, in the Christian Church, one would like to believe that believers in the Lord Jesus Christ would welcome revelation. Not only welcome revelation, but also internalize and act accordingly. In most cases the latter is not realized. People listen but don't hear. They look but do not see. Their senses are dulled by the familiar; revelation is filtered by religious tradition; truth seems to bounce off or is repelled by belief systems based on feelings, not 'by faith'. Growth is actually retarded by the hindrance of sense knowledge or the 'flesh'. So, it could be safe to say that most church-goers would respond just like those in the workplace.

As you can see, 80% will have non-favorable responses. What is the cause?
Doubt and unbelief! Why? There is a prevalent refusal or unwillingness to renew the mind with the word of God. The spiritual eyes seemed to be blinded by the enemy. Their spiritual ears seem to be blocked so they can’t understand.

John 3:6 'That which is born of the flesh is flesh (senses), that which is born of the spirit is spirit.' 
Jesus said, 'According to your faith (belief system) be it unto you.'

If your belief system is based in sense knowledge (flesh), you will have difficulty understanding spiritual truths. Most of us live in the sense knowledge realm. It takes effort to release the 'flesh' and welcome the Holy Spirit; we actually have to quiet our minds and become God-inside minded. You just can not contact God the Father with the senses/flesh. You can recognize the need for Him, but contact is made only through the spirit. He contacts you through the spirit. You may experience His answer in the senses, but you won't understand it unless revelation comes through the spirit. He makes it so that you will know that the answer came by His hand.

This is the place where you will begin to experience 'the power for us who believe.' Once you can tap into, OR once you establish 'that' spiritual relationship with Him, all things in the natural or physical world become fresh and new. Your perspective changes from being a victim to victor; you begin to experience a “glory to glory” life style. You begin to see through His eyes; love begins to dominate your life; selflessness replaces selfishness! What a wonderful place to be.

You will begin to understand: "That power is like the working of his mighty strength, (20) which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms."

This is the place where you begin to understand that “It is God who is at work in you, to will and to work His good pleasure”. Philippians 2:13

This is the place where God the Father wants you to live, each and every day.  I know that I want to live there. Let us tune in and find out what He has in store for us. It is  nothing short of miraculous!!! Let's turn unbelief in to faith... let us ask for our spiritual ears to be opened and for our spiritual sight to see as He sees… Praise God, let's chose to believe God today!!!

Blessings;

Ben Qualls

And Sets the Course of Nature

James 3:6

“And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets the course of nature; and is set on the fire of hell.”

Such a powerful description of the human tongue and it’s nature. The word “course” translated from the Greek literally means “a circuit of physical effects”. In other words, the tongue will cause a "circuit of physical effects" in the body. That should be enough to cause one to bring pause to one’s thought and words. Think on, meditate on, believe in the heart words and thoughts and emotions…eventually actions are produced; situations are presented to cause those things to manifest or come to pass.

Your spirit is guided by the words you speak and what has been stored all from all your life’s thoughts and experiences. It does not rationalize or decipher what is truth or what is not. It seeks to act on and produce what you place in it as what you believe. “The sower sows the word” Mark 4:14. Words planted in the soil (our human spirits) produces fruit, just like planting corn in the earth….it will produce after its kind. Corn seed will produce corn stalks and more corn seed; grape seed, grapes and so on.

Without words the spirit is blank. Just think, no language, no communication, just the primitive nature controlling. Unregenerate man, sinful man is described in Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"

But Jesus said, Matthew 12:34-35 "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things."

Proverbs 18: 20-21

A man's [moral] self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words he must be satisfied [whether good or evil].

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life]

 The unsaved or "not born again" man brings forth evil.  The good man (born again) brings forth good things. The Word of God is nourishment for the newborn spirit; it will produce good fruit! Most “so called good people” will reject the notion and consider it reckless to suggest such a thing, even though it is there in the Bible, directly from the Holy Spirit.

Most people, including myself, have claimed unwise things as theirs/mine. We make statements such as "my back hurts"; "I really feel bad today"; "I HAVE the flu, cold, stomach virus, you name it and we have claimed ownership. We speak it at the first sign of a symptom, "guess I'm catching a cold", "hope I'm not getting sick (fear)". Guess what! Your spirit believes it's true , and it will guide you into a position to cause what you are saying to come to pass. "If you believe, all things are possible to him that believes." Your spirit will work night and day to bring you to a position to receive what you said. Even though in your mind you really did not want it, you spoke the wrong words into your spirit, or your prayed the problem; "Lord I'm sick, please heal me" is confusing. These two statements do not agree!! "Where two or more agree... "

For years now, I have been saying for years that we need to understand who we are in Christ! We need to realize that God has made us powerful beings who he has endowed with the power to create. Most will say, "I'm not creative". Well you have said it so much that your spirit has created a world for you that has stifled your God-given creative ability. But understand, your spirit still "created" something!! The spirit of man is soil for words. It will produce after what is planted. Fear produces more fear; Evil, more evil, good-more good, pure-purity; lovely-more lovely. We are have encouraged to think on things that are “pure and lovely and just”! We are encouraged to always think, say, and do what is right; refuse to think, say, and do what is wrong.

Who are we in Christ? There have been many books, poems, songs, and many other forms of verbiage describing who we are in Christ… let me offer one more.

God breathed His spirit into Adam. With that spirit, Adam was in fellowship and communion with God the Father. Even though sin entered, the creative ability did not. So when Jesus entered the scene, He re-introduces the Kingdom of God, showing mankind what goodness and sinless man could do. He demonstrated to all what being in fellowship and communion with God is like. Then He gave us the ability to do just that, by being born again and by receiving the Holy Spirit. That creative ability has now been energized by the Holy Spirit, where "all things are possible, only believe". We have access to all knowledge, to all wisdom, to all possibilities, in Christ.

Now we can understand the fruit of the spirit. Now we can see that, we've said things in the past that we don't remember we've said, and it manifests
in our life, and we wonder why "God allowed" it to happen, but it was us all along. We said, we believed it, and the spirit produced it, whether we remember or not. We must stop blaming God for our troubles, stop hiding behind the "sovereignty of God", and

James says, "Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights..."
Jesus said, "The thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy, but I have come to bring life abundantly"

I have heard people describe other believers as being "name it and claim it" believers. However, this only pertains to something good or a blessing, maybe a car, new job, house or something material. Yet, if it is something to one's detriment, hurtful, destructive, sickness, disease, or lack of money, then it's God's fault. You claim innocence. If it is bad, God did it or is doing it for a reason, but if it's good, can't be or it won't work. In other words, our sovereign God, will not back up what he said when He said, "You shall have whatsoever you say" if you believe. When are we going to wake up and accept responsibility for our human condition. It was/is/will be done by our words, when we believe in our hearts, either good or evil.

Yes God has made us these powerful beings who exercise a great power each and every moment of the day... the power of choice. We choose to be victims or victors! We choose to take charge of our thoughts or let the adversary think through us. We choose to believe Jesus or something else, for there is no in between. There is no middle ground!! God said very clearly, you are either with me or against. We set the course of nature or create a "circuit of physical effects" in our own bodies by the words we speak.

This message has been brought to you by the Holy Spirit, through one who believes God. One who endeavors to realizing who I am in Christ so that I can take the message to all who will listen, as God has directed me.

What better gift to give to you than a message of hope and encouragement. That you are most wonderfully made in the image of God, with a Spirit, Soul, and Body, able to create good and beautiful things throughout your life; able to perform miracles!! It is not too late to begin defending your spirit and soul. Take charge of your thoughts make sure that what your spirit receives will produce good and holy fruit.

And the God of Peace Will be With You

Philippians 4:8 - 9 NKJV

        "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there  is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things. (9) The things which you have learned and received and heard and saw in me, [do these things], and the God of peace will be with you."

A quote from one of many "self help" authors:

"What you see around you, those aspects that make up your life and the quality of your life are merely a reflection of your own thoughts, beliefs, feelings and energy. Your reality or your life as you see it is a mirror of who you are and what you believe. If you are having difficulty in any area - simply examine your thoughts and beliefs about that area and you will see that your reality reflects your beliefs. Researchers have proved, what we believe has a direct impact on our reality."

"Science has proven that your subconscious mind {the human spirit} picks up on your beliefs and then acts as your driver - taking you to the situations, events and people that correspond with your thoughts and beliefs. If you have negative beliefs and negative thoughts, your subconscious will take you to negative people, negative situations and negative events. You will simply end up creating a negative lifestyle. "

I Say:
If you have positive beliefs and positive thoughts, your subconscious will take you to positive people, positive situations and positive events.  You will simply end up creating a positive lifestyle. If you have Godly beliefs and faith thoughts, your spirit will take you to Godly people, Godly situations and Godly events. You will simply end up creating a Godly lifestyle.

Mankind, in search for truth, outside of God, seems to bring its findings right back to the Word of God. So, in worldly fashion, this author agrees with the truth of God, spoken through Paul and the Holy Spirit.

If one thinks and meditates on all that is pure, lovely, just, true, noble, and of good report, then those things of purity, of the lovely, and the just, and the truth, and of good report will be drawn to us. No wonder His Peace will be with us.

Folks, I believe it is a day of Praise! The God of Peace is with you, every second of every minute of every hour of every day!!!!

Father God. Let us seek your thoughts always, as we allow our “reborn” spirit to grow by your power and direction. As we trust you, our strength increases; as we seek you, our desire for your presence intensifies; as we receive your love, our ability to share it unfolds; as we look to you for direction, your light shines on our pathways. Darkness flees as your light brightens our life; as we meditate on all that is good, we know that all that is good will be ours for eternity. We thank you, and give you all the praise and glory, IN JESUS NAME!!!!!  Amen.

Be Strong in the Lord

Ephesians 6: 10 – 11 - NKJV
 (10) "Finally brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.
 (11) Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil".

The word "wiles" is defined by Webster as:  "to trick or entice somebody into doing or not doing something".

Genghis Khan, "the Barbarian", used a tactic or used his "wiles" to conquer, just as much as he used brute force. One of those tactics was to send spies disguised as ordinary citizens to the city/town/territory that he wanted to conquer. The spy’s job was to infiltrate the society and spread talk or rumors about the terrible and awesome power of Khan. They were effective enough so that the people were stricken with fear or terror, and would not try to defend themselves, surrendering themselves to be slaughtered or enslaved by a brutal and evil tyrant.

You may say that we are too smart and powerful (the USA) to allow such a thing to happen to us. As a matter of fact, we would even step in and try to stop that kind of thing from happening to most countries. Perhaps, the UN and or NATO would not allow such a thing to take place.

Think about this. There's something going on today in this country and around the world that's similar to the tactics used by Khan.  A religion exists today that is trying to conquer the world through words and acts of terror. While some say they are peaceful others perform terrible acts, killing others and themselves, all for the sake of this religion. (Not our God) Bombs in Baghdad, London, Spain, America, Yemen, and etc. Threats of nuclear bombs from Iran weigh heavy on the minds of many government leaders. They infiltrate, dilute and divide with fear tactics; confuse with double talk, "we're a peaceful religion... those others are extremists." Yet the common goal is to conquer and bring all people under this religion. Some of our government leaders are almost "shaking in their boots", and are willing to try man's diplomacy to "change their behavior". The only way to see change is to bring Jesus on the scene. He's the only one that can change hearts, not through fear but through love and Holy Spirit power.

As Christians or believers, we should recognize this tactic. We should see it for what it is..."the wiles of the devil", and our formidable and awe-withstanding power is the "armor of God".  We stand fast in prayer, believing God, and observe HIS awesome power unfold. Since this "religion" is not of Him, then it cannot stand. Anything that is not of "faith" (in God through Jesus Christ) is sin, period. And, that alone cannot stand against God our Father. It will perish and be destroyed.  That is where your faith belongs! Do not cower down to fanatics who are already doomed, lest you go with them. God tells us to put on the whole armor of God, and then STAND!  It takes faith to stand... it takes courage to stand… it take trust to stand!!!

1 John 5: 14 - 15
 (14) "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
 (15) And if we know He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him."

God is saying this to you, to us and every believer. You either believe it or you don't. There is no middle road. If God wanted the believer to be conquered by evil, then He would not have given us armor to withstand it. God would not have sent His only Son to die for our sins and to conquer satan on our behalf so we could have eternal life with Him, if he wanted us bow to the devil.

 What is your part in this grand plan of our creator? How do you make sure you don’t fall victim to satan? You have to be born again, filled with the Holy Spirit, and then transformed by the “renewing of your mind” by the Word of God.

The next step is to confess, or better yes “profess” that you are a born again believer and you are saved by faith in Jesus Christ.  Begin to realize that God has translated you out of darkness into His marvelous light in Jesus, and that satan has no more power over you. Renewing the mind is not a ”one time” event. It takes constant meditation and study and spoken affirmations over a long period of time, in other words, in is process that takes focus and God’s Holy Spirit.

Then you take a stand.  Stand up for Jesus and refuse to be conquered by fearful thoughts, and thoughts of doubt and unbelief. (they come to all of us). Say “no” to tyrants who uses their wiles against you with seducing thoughts of advertising, or promises of fortune and fame. Joy and peace comes sometimes when you have stood your ground and have seen the power of God move… when you know in your spirit that God is with you every moment of the day… He is for you in every endeavor, in your work, in your family. Know that He is in you through the Holy Spirit who brings to you His divine nature (God’s creativity, wisdom, knowledge, understanding).  Once you “know” this, satan will have no opening in you that you and God cannot close and seal forever.

Be blessed!!

Do Not Be Deceived

Saints! Some of you will recoil at this message. It may seem harsh; it may not apply to you; it may not register in your thinking or your belief system. You may not believe the content at all, so I invite you to read, check out what I've said. If there is error, please let me know. I’m willing to adjust my thinking along the lines of scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit. However, if you see truth, you may want to adjust your thinking by seeking more truth from our only teacher and
counselor, The Holy Spirit.

James 1: 16 - 18 NKJV
(16) "Do not be deceived, my brethren. (17) Every good gift and
every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the
Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or

shadow of turning. 
(18)    Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be the first fruits of His creatures."

Make no mistake about it. God, Jesus came to bring abundant life; to heal the sick; to bring sight to the blind; to set the captives free. But, "the devil comes to kill, steal, and destroy." Jesus draws the contrast between Himself and the adversary, and makes it clear here, and every other place in the Gospels that the Father is good, and He loves us, based on who He is. Faith is the key to it all. The Kingdom of God is the place where peace and joy abounds. And, Jesus says that the only way you can get to the Father, to the Kingdom of God, is through Him.

When calamity or trials come into our lives, the human (sin nature ruled) side wants to find someone or something to blame, (except us) after all WE could never be at fault!! And, of course, we as Christians are good people, and we know that we don't listen to satan. We have NOT allowed the devil any foothold in our lives, because we go to church, we pray, we do this and do that, and so on....  Since it wasn't "me" or "us" or satan (we refuse to believe that he could influence us), then it must be God. Who better to blame than God, after all everything is under His control, right? He can do whatever He wants whenever He wants, anytime He wants, to anyone He wants, right? Maybe there is another answer.

Some church leaders would have us believe that God is waiting and watching us, looking for ways to teach us lessons; waiting for the right time to bring hardships and trials, and all sorts of “tests” (contrary to His goodness) to see if we will slip up, so that we can learn various lessons.

This kind of behavior puts God in the same category as satan, meaning that God uses deceit or deception to trap us so that He can then “teach us a lesson”. That kind of thinking is from a mind that has already been deceived by the adversary. Harsh? Indeed! If this is true, then Jesus came to save us, but at the same time, put us into a place where God and the adversary bring trouble and sickness, and all sorts of afflictions to us. To follow this line of thinking, it would bring us to the conclusion that now, with Jesus, we're in more bondage than before He arrived. We're not free at all, but now trapped between God and satan. Less freedom, more bondage, and now “way” out!

Since God knows the human heart and mind, He understands that you will get in trouble, because your thinking is not perfect like HIS! He also knows that we have an adversary whose agenda is set against us in every way.

John 14:6

6) Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.

So He provides a way out of every situation that is not of Him. That is His great love for us. Not to test you, but to offer you a better way through the Lord Jesus Christ, "Delivering you in the time of trouble." And, I add trouble from the one who "comes to kill, steal, and destroy", and he does it through every means possible,
even through the deception of "blaming God" for our problems.

God has given us a Name that is above every name. All the power and authority that Jesus had, is invested in that Name.

John 14: 13-14 (NKJV)

13) And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

John 15: 16

16) You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

We are to use it against trials and difficulties in our daily lives, calling on Him by Name to deliver us. If we have the right to use the Name of Jesus, and we use it in the time of trials (which some blame God for bringing), then we're going against God by using the Name of His Son who came to deliver us from the hand of satan. Confusing? You bet, and to think that God brings trouble into our lives means that Jesus, James, Paul, and John are all liars? I choose to believe that God is the God of Love, not of trouble; The God of Peace, not calamity; The God of eternal life, not damnation!!! The God of Love, not hate!!

The God of abundance, not lack!

I pray that the God of Love, who is Love, will open your spiritual eyes that you may see the truth of who He really is. That your heart will venture into His shelter of loving-kindness, where despair is replaced by hope; where doubt is replaced by faith; where all things are possible; where goodness and mercy follows you; where the blessings of the Lord overtakes you, and you live the life He has destined for you.

Do not be deceived by the glitter and glamor of the “world”. If it is of the devil (the father of lies: deception) then there is no truth in it, only the consequences of the law of sin and death.

The Line Between Good and Evil

 In the world around us, we can see the evidence of good and evil. From our local neighborhoods to across the nation, whether it is crimes against family members, neighbors, businesses, or by governments, it’s there. Sometimes it is our own thoughts of revenge and justice that are evil. It becomes even harder to accept when our local and national leaders practice corruption openly, and hide behind the laws they passed to give their actions legitimacy. They do evil and call it good, and sometimes it looks like they are getting away without penalty, and we, law-abiding citizens are destined to reap the consequences for their “sins against mankind”. It seems as if we are all victims of a world gone mad. How can we manage our lives when we have to be on guard against the evil “out there” contaminating our own hearts? What can we do to keep our own beings free from corruption?  Will the perpetrators of evil see justice?

Behold! Our God is a just God. His Great Love is just, yet merciful! Even though the situation may look to be dismal, God has set the laws of this world according to His justice system.  His justice prevails!!!

Read on!!

Proverbs 11:27

He who earnestly seeks good finds favor, But trouble will come to him who seeks evil.

Proverbs 13:21

Evil pursues sinners, But to the righteous, good shall be repaid.

Proverbs 17:13

Whoever rewards evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house.

Proverbs 17:20

He who has a deceitful heart finds no good, And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil.

“…. It was only when I lay there on rotting prison straw that I sensed within myself the first stirrings of good. Gradually it was disclosed to me that the line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either, but right through every human heart, and through all human hearts. This line shifts. Inside us, it oscillates with the years. Even within hearts overwhelmed by evil, one small bridgehead of good is retained; and even in the best of all hearts, there remains a small corner of evil.” … Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

I was eight years old when I first experienced evil in my heart. The playground bully had gone too far, and I set about to settle it, once and for all. So, we fought! We rolled around in the red clay most of the lunch hour. The thoughts of this angry eight-year old were on how to annihilate this enemy; to make sure he wouldn’t bully me or anyone else again. It was not until after the teacher separated us, and I was back sitting in the classroom, that I realized the difference in my emotions once the anger subsided.

I thought about the inevitable whipping I was going to get, because my sister was sure to tell mom, and would enjoy every moment of that most deserving discipline. But more than that, was the horror I felt inside of the “evil” desire to rid the planet of this boy, for good. That almost unbearable shame was almost more than I could take. The whipping from Mom, although painful, was a welcome instrument of repentance for the subsequent guilt I felt from allowing myself to get angry enough to fight. That line between good and evil was in my heart, and I had to deal with it. I promised to never, ever let anger get the best of me again, and never to get in another fight. I have kept that promise from then throughout my adulthood.

The summer following that incident, I was saved in Vacation Bible School, which proved to be the defining moment throughout my life. Yes, I did get angry many times while growing into adulthood, but never beyond reason. Somehow, that anger transformed into positive energy, and used for self-improvement.

I am sure this story is familiar to many of readers. How many times have you been faced with situations when anger rises up, and seems quite difficult to control. Your thoughts wade over into retaliation, revenge, and destruction. Yes, there is a line in the human heart, although invisible, that seems to be quite sensitive to external stimuli, which pulls that door open to evil thoughts, and if entertained for any length of time, sometimes leads to actions. Yes, just like sin, without God we are helpless to fall prey to this type of behavior. Without God we cannot help but sin, but with Him we don’t have to... we have the power to withstand the instigator of sin and all its corresponding behaviors, by inviting Jesus into our hearts by faith.

There are two major laws that control human life; The Law of Life (love) and the law of sin and death (selfishness). From these laws every condition of human heart-life exists. The sad part is this. One lives in Law of Love, or the law of sin and death. There is no in between. The Law of love trumps the law of sin and death. The Law of love overcomes selfishness; overcomes evil; overcomes hate; overcomes anger, actually Love overcomes “sin nature”, then nature we are born with.  It sets you free from all the forces of evil. By submitting to God (God is Love), being “born again”. embracing His love for you and in you, “He has poured His love abroad in our hearts”. Sin and its corresponding behaviors have NO MORE power over you. You are free!!

Romans 8:2

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

Yet, the Father of lies, “the devil who comes but to kill, steal, and destroy”, can and will attack us in our thoughts. Instead, we are wise enough to know how he operates; we can see through his attempts to cause us to fall away from “good”. We have a way out of every temptation of evil, by using the Word of God to defeat the adversary at every attempt to sway us away from God.

Ecclesiastes 12:14

For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.

Matthew 12:35

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.

Romans 12:21

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

1 Thessalonians 5:15

See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

3 John 1:11

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.

Romans 8: 31, 35

 What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?]

Who shall ever separate us from Christ's love? Shall suffering and affliction and tribulation? Or calamity and distress? Or persecution or hunger or destitution or peril or sword?

A reminder:  God is FOR us; WITH us; and IN US. Let us be reminded throughout the day that God never leaves us, even when we forget Him, (and just because we do forget him) He is still and always there… ready love, mercy, and grace.  God is always present, everywhere. All of His nature (love, peace, joy, healing, grace, mercy, kindness, forgiveness, freedom) is always available, all the time.

From E. W. Kenyon (God Inside-Minded)

We are linked up with Him. He is now our very own Father.

We are utterly one with Him.

He is in us. We are in Him

He is a part of us. We are a part of Him.

We are His children by nature. We are born of Heaven.

We are begotten of the Holy Spirit. The Word has given us life

“Of His own will He brought us forth”.

This union with the Master and with the Father is beyond human intelligence.

The natural mind cannot grasp it.

We stand in the presence of it, yet unable to fathom it, and yet it is ours.

We are tied up with Him. We are partakers of His Nature. We are born of His Spirit.

We are indwelt by His Word. We are kept by His grace.

We are controlled by His Love.

What more could you ask?