Satan hisses his lies into my ears often. He loves to mess with me and anyone else who's been a Christian longer than five minutes. "Go ahead. No one will know" he hissed into my ears time after time. I wonder if he hissed these words into my abuser's ears? I shook off the lie and rebutted "Get away from me, Satan."
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. - 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)
"No one will see. They're too young to tell" he whispered again...and again. "Get away from me, Satan!" I yelled through gritted teeth. I was livid. He was blatantly coming for my kids. I was not going to allow this. "We belong to Jesus. I'm not falling for your lies!" I yelled into what seemed like an empty room. Except it wasn't. The devil was there, hissing lies, hoping I'd give in.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. - Ephesians 6:11 (ESV)
The devil has often implored me to continue the cycle of abuse, but I will not do it. I cannot do it. Not one part of me has ever been tempted to touch my children inappropriately. The devil can hiss all he wants. I'm not giving in. Not only are the stakes too high, I simply have no desire to. It's easy to tell him to shut up. Which makes me wonder what else he's up to. What's his end game?
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3 (ESV)
I know that God will always see me through and help me with any temptation I face. I marvel at those who share their stories of coming out of drug or alcohol addiction and they share moments where they've held their Bibles and just rocked back and forth for hours, relying on Jesus for strength. That's exactly how I feel about healing from sexual abuse. As far as abstaining from it, it's very easy for me. I wish everyone could say the same...
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10 (ESV)
When we turn to Jesus and rely on Him for all things in our lives, it does become easy to walk away from - and even abstain entirely from things that are harmful to ourselves and others. Why? Because the love of Jesus is so compelling, so beautiful that nothing else even begins to compare. Why throw all that away for a quick sin that ruins someone else's life?
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (ESV)
Does it surprise you that Satan has tried to get me to hurt my children? It shouldn't. Satan is on a mission to destroy families, tearing them apart from the inside out. That's how he's going to win so many trophies for the end times battle with Jesus. Satan knows the scriptures. He knows he isn't going to win that battle. He just wants some trophies for himself along the way.
Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8 (ESV)
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| Ephesians 6:12 |
But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8 (ESV)
Stay tuned for another episode. I aim to crank out the blog posts three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. See you next time! And remember, if you or a loved one is in danger, get help immediately, and don't stop talking until someone acts on your words.
National Domestic Abuse Hotline: 800-799-7233 Hours: 24/7. Languages: English, Spanish, and 200+ through interpretation service. SMS: Text START to 88788
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 Hours: Available 24 hours. https://www.rainn.org/
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish. https://988lifeline.org/
In Christ alone our hope is foundRun, don't walk for help! You're worth it.
