The Word & the Spirit Respond to Condemnation, Day 6

Last week we studied an essential function of the Word and the Spirit: conviction. So, you screwed up but responded to Their convicting work by repenting—however, guilt and shame plague you. Even though you've laid it at the cross countless times every day, you can't shake the feeling of unworthiness before the Father. It has begun to interfere with your relationship because you can't pray or read Scripture without being reminded of how horribly you've messed up. The carousel keeps spinning, making you sicker by the minute, but you can't seem to get off the ride. I think it's safe to say we've all been there. No matter how many times we've tried to let go, the enemy attempts to hold us captive to that which is under the blood of Christ, and we become spiritually paralyzed, ineffective in our walk with the Lord.

One of the most precious and beautiful things the Father has given us is an escape route off the merry-go-round through the Word and the Spirit. Ponder the following verses:

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:12-13).

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I Jn. 1:9).

"My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world" (I John 2:1-2).

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit" (Rom. 8:1).

"For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together" (Rom. 8:15-17).

WOW! Even as believers, when we sin, the Word Himself cleanses us if we will but confess. Not only that, He takes up our case before the Father because His blood has redeemed us. What love! What forgiveness! Not only have we been forgiven, but the damning sentence the enemy tries to remind us of through shame and guilt has been abolished if we remain in Christ, led by the Spirit of God. This same Spirit removes all fear associated with the punishment for our sin and reaffirms our position as a child of God. It's not just an ejection button off the merry-go-round. They stop its movement altogether and usher us off it as a spiritual VIP, precious in the eyes of God! The enemy's voice is silenced when we live according to the Word and the Spirit.

We haven't been adopted just to provide a nurturing home while retaining our same name. No! The Lord has given us His Name and made us co-heirs with Christ, provided that we will suffer to be glorified with Him. The Revelation of Jesus Christ tells us that Satan's accusations will cease one day. "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death" (Rev. 12:10-11).

Until then, you have some Mighty Intercessors in the persons of the Word and the Spirit consistently lifting you before the Father, whose love drew you to Himself. As Paul explained to the Romans,

"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God…Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: 'For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.' Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Rom. 8:26-27, 34-37).

Beloved, don't allow the enemy to run rampant in your life! The Word and the Spirit are not only praying for you; they are your witnesses before the Father. So when the enemy comes in like a flood, allow Them to raise Their standard against him!