Why You Might be Stuck, Part II

WHY YOU MIGHT BE STUCK, pt II

For starters, be sure to read Why You Might Be Stuck, pt I

While we must take personal responsibility for our own desires and behavior, we must also realize there may be a spiritual influence of evil that is seeking to take advantage of us or is holding us captive to these desires, thoughts, and ongoing behaviors. This is why it is essential to “test everything, hold onto what is good and avoid what is evil.” Once we test and resolve potential spiritual influences we are then free to exercise discipline, self-control, and crucify the flesh as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live in obedience—to live by the spirit, and not gratify the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).

This is why it is essential to “test everything, hold onto what is good and avoid what is evil.”

One of the chief barriers to freedom is the contradiction we experience between our feelings and God’s truth. It is important to accept and declare the truth despite how we may feel. This is not to suggest that we ignore or minimize our feelings. In order to reconcile the powerful influence of our emotions, we must first understand that human feelings are given by God. Our feelings are important and should not be ignored or suppressed. They should be talked about and allowed expression, as they represent the truth about how we feel. They may not, however, represent the truth that is from God or the truth about the way things are. While acknowledging and allowing the experience of feelings, we must nevertheless submit feelings and thoughts to the reality of God’s truth. It is helpful and important to freely admit your honest feelings to God and to experience them.

While acknowledging and allowing the experience of feelings, we must nevertheless submit feelings and thoughts to the reality of God’s truth.

It is also essential to acknowledge that our feelings, while real, may not be an accurate gauge of what is true from God’s perspective. Even if our feelings are contrary to what God says is true, in order to experience Christ’s freedom we must verbally reject any lie or lies believed. Then we must accept and declare aloud God’s truth in agreement with Him. Practically this means accepting and verbally admitting God’s truth as an act of the will because He is the Truth and His word is true. Amidst overwhelming feelings and experiences to the contrary we have the assurance that God’s words are true because it is impossible for God to lie.

What’s your experience been like? Have you had moments or seasons of experiencing feelings or believing thoughts that don’t like up with the truth of God?

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