DEALING WITH CONDEMNATION

Coming back from the conference on the 25th last month , I was on a spiritual high from being in a space where the potent manifest presence of the Lord was. I witnessed deliverance from the demonic, the prophetic, speaking in tongues but right when I got home, I fell into old patterns by walking in laziness and procrastination. I remember struggling with condemnation, feeling judged and overwhelmed. I would spend time with the Lord but because of the condemnation I was feeling, I didn't have a sensitivity to the spirit as much and it felt like it was my fault which caused me to start distracting and distancing  myself . I now see this as a ploy of the enemy to keep me focused on my feelings so that I would distance myself from the Lord.

Romans 8: 1 says "Therefore there is now no condemnation [ no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus[ who believe in Him as personal Lord and saviour].

The Lord did not condemn me but because i had come into agreement with a lie that the enemy had said I gave him the power to dictate how the next couple of weeks would be. The lie of the enemy is that your feelings are more important than truth ; that it doesn't matter what the truth is, how you feel is more important than anything even God. It creates a focus on the internal [self] rather than Jesus which is a very self-centered view. See,I didn't say your feelings are not important but when they are glorified higher than God you will not have Shalom [the peace, soundness, completeness found only in Jesus]. I love the Hebrew meaning of shalom which is " destroy the authority attached to chaos".  There would be an imbalance in what should be calm, chaos instead of peace. 

What I had allowed not only created an isolation from the Lord but also from community. The enemy hates Godly community and loves to keep us in a space where the only voice we can listen to is his. See there is freedom that can be found in Godly community but only if we use it wisely.

James 5:16 says "Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) is able to accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power]."

John 8:32 says "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Godly community helps pick us up and intercede on our behalf where we cannot. Isolation is a prison that can be disguised as comfort or this bubble but is a tool the enemy commonly uses because in Godly community there is healing and restoration not only in your relationship with Jesus but also in your soul. John 8:32 talks of knowing truth which leads to freedom so confessing your struggles to a brother or sister in Christ sets you free from the clutches of the enemy.  Before I could even put words to what i was feeling and going through, one of my sisters in Christ reached out to me but something in me didn't want to pick up her call and I made excuses. When we met yesterday, she told me how I was put on her heart and that is why she reached out to me. She mentioned how she had felt unsettled and that i had been too quiet which is why she reached out.When I explained to her exactly what happened, her response was why didn't you tell me so that we can pray about it?  Isolation tells you you are alone. That you cannot rely on anyone. Those were the lies I had come into agreement with. I am having to learn that because I am a new creation and have been adopted into this family of Christ, all old ways of thinking have gone. I may have had trauma from my past friendships and relationships but making sure i do not allow my past trauma to dictate my new life. I'm thankful for the Holy Spirit who searches our hearts, knows what we are going through  and uses whatever means to draw us back.

So how do we deal with condemnation?

• Well, for starters, know, believe and declare scripture. It is easier to combat the lies of the enemy with the truth of the Lord.Speaking truth in moments of deception but the kicker is to truly believe it. The word holds even more weight when we truly believe and have faith. Mark 11: 24 says "For this reason I am telling you, whatever things you ask for in prayer [in accordance with God’s will], believe [with confident trust] that you have received them, and they will be given to you."
  
• Confess to and depend  on your brothers or sisters in Christ. We were given community to shoulder each others burdens and life each other up. It may be hard to speak on what you are struggling with but the more you practice the easier it becomes Shame was never meant for us to carry. When we share our struggles with our brothers and sisters,we take away the power that the sin had over us. Galatians 6:2 says "Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love]."
• Run to the foot of the cross. The more you seek the  Lord, the easier it is to see the motives behind what you do. When you sin or commit offenses run to Him straight away. Sitting in self pity does us no good but open doors to the demonic the longer we sit in it leading to depression.Matthew 11:28-29, says "Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls"  

Lets Pray

Dear Jesus

Thank you that you will use whatever means to pursue me.Help me truly believe your word and keep the scripture sealed upon the lines of my heart that i will be able to combat the lies of the enemy in temptation. Break whatever lies I still come into agreement with from my old nature and help me lean into all you say I am and how i should stand in you. Forgive me for leaning into my old nature  and old way of thinking when you freed me from it. Help me walk in the new creation you have made me into.Give me the strength to rely on the community you have surrounded me with. To step out of shame as well as  condemnation and rest in the shadow of your wings. To stand in truth and not my feelings. Help me not glorify or exalt them higher than you but that you would receive all the glory honour and worship in my life. Thank you for hearing me. I love you and honour you and pray this all in your name Jesus.

In Jesus name,Amen.