“Not today Satan”

Who are you?

There are moments in life that can slap the life out of you. Or make you wonder about your identity. It’s in those spaces when God’s creation forgets that each of us are image-bearers and can pull us down internally. The energy is zapped out of our souls. The wind out of our sails.

It’s in such moments that I have to always return to the basics. WHO AM I?

More importantly: WHOSE am I? That’s the real question.

My identity is intrinsically wrapped up in the Person of Jesus Christ. The God of the universe breathed me into existence. He spoke my name before anyone else did. He made me to reflect His face. An image-bearer of the Almighty God.

Our words can cut and dice each other in pitiful ways. Serious ways. We can chop our brothers and sisters down to the knees by what we say.

I’m not talking about constructive correction. I have been the blessed recipient many times of Godly behavior and/or thought modification. Parents and wise mentors have noticed sin patterns in my life and wasted no time in pointing them out to me in love. The spirit of the delivery was such that I knew…it was for my good and God’s glory. Today, I am better for those moments…raw and hard as they have been. They have shaped me to be more like Jesus. I don’t think we ever outgrow the need for Godly instruction and correction.

Yet somehow, in our deliverance of our words…we are quick to speak and don’t think it through first. I’ve been guilty of this. Spewing words before I stop and pray through them. Giving unsolicited advice often amounts to nothing more than negative pressure.

Nothing prepares you for being a life-giver through words like being on the receiving end of life-TAKING words. It’s a new perspective on what it feels like.

To feel like someone took the air out of your lungs. The sting of false accusations fresh in your mind. The play over in your brain of what the person said or how they said it. The wondering in your heart if you did the right thing.

Perhaps one of the worst types of negative words are what my dad uses to tell us are “cutting” words. The edge of these words said by another person about you may be true but they cut at your character. Making fun of your personality or the way you do things. Pointing out your failures in front of those you love or respect. Instead of overlooking your less than pleasant attributes, shining a spot light on them so everyone in the room can’t help but notice. These are the moments that make us shrivel up inside. Want to hide under the rug. Or start self loathing. and at the core of these words? The abasement of others so that you can be bigger, better or more powerful in that moment. It’s a strategy straight from the devil himself.

Or there are times when well-meaning intentions turn out completely different than we expected. We are suddenly knocked off our feet and find ourselves dazed by the circumstances. Anger. Frustration. Sadness. Grief. Wanting to defend ourselves.

I remember one time in particular, several years ago, when this kind of moment happened to me. I remember standing up and breathing quietly for a few minutes. The false accusations and blame that poured out of the mouth of someone I loved toward me was enough to leave me shell shocked to say the least. I felt ill prepared. The things that were said weren’t even truth. Then I felt the warrior woman rising up in me. I’m not saying the fighting against this person type of attitude, I mean the kind that knows who the real enemy is. His slithery lies were recognizable from previous battles. I actually heard myself whisper out loud:

“Not today, Satan.”

I was on a prison ministry trip so I had a heightened awareness that the enemy was on the war path.

But even in the fighting…this isn’t about me. It’s about HIM. Jesus. Less of me. More of Him.

And yet…in these moments of fatal blows to our identity, our reputation or our leadership…we wonder if there’s another route to have fellowship with Jesus. Is there another way to get His power instead of these hardships and trials? A different path to maturity that doesn’t involve harsh words, navigating tough relationships or loving the unloveable?

I think not.

“My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

Less of me, more of Him. Simple but not easy.