Evangelist Lisa  

I was talking to a friend this morning on the way to work.  We covered a few topics, however, one such topic sealed the deal.

I begin to share that the attacks of satan don’t bother me as such, because I recognize who and what it is according to Ephesians 6:10-18.  But what does bother me is the fact that its someone that I love; be it spouse, child, mother, sister,…, or someone who has professed to be a Christian.

As we continued to talk, the Holy Spirit brought to my remembrance what Jesus said in Luke 14:25-33 (key passages being 26, 33).

Vs. 26 - If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Vs. 33 - So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

In this chapter, Jesus is reasoning with a chief Pharisee and his guests about love of people, places, and things.  And it struck me, am I in love with people, places, and things more than God?  Otherwise, the effects of satan would not be so great, if my focus was not only on knowing satan’s methods, but knowing the measure or greatness of satan’s urgency to cut me off.  He will use whosoever; just like God, satan is no respecter of persons.  After all, his ultimate goal is to be god. Whomever gives him an inch, he will take it.

So what does satan want?  He wants my allegiance!  During those attacks, not only am I to recognize who is at the center of the attacks (Ephesians 6), but I have to remember what the attack is about….my allegiance to God.  What is allegiance?  The tie or obligation, implied or expressed, which a subject owes to his sovereign or government; the duty of fidelity to one's king, government, or state.  loyalty or devotion to some person, group, cause, or the like. 

So my allegiance is not my father, not my mother, not my sister or my brother, but my allegiance is to the one who holds my destiny in His hand; that’s God and only GOD!!!!

Let’s talk about hate.  The word hate means to feel hostility or animosity toward.  To detest.  To feel dislike or distaste for.

Now, why would Jesus tell me in vs. 26, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.  You know why?  Because at times our allegiance is twisted.  We love people, places, and things so much, that we will overlook the detestable sinfulness of that person, place, or thing.  You have got to hate enough to protect your allegiance to God.  He said in Exodus 20:3 "You shall have no other gods before me.  My friend when put people, places, and things is a prime position…guess what?  You just made that thing god.  A lot of people are filled with hate; but it’s an unrighteous hatred.  This is not what Jesus is talking about. It is a righteous hatred.  You can’t hate righteously without the Righteous One – and He is Jesus Christ.

So the next time satan comes in full array of his trickery, just ask yourself, “Who do you love?