KNOW WHAT'S AROUND YOU & WHAT'S IN YOU

Boundaries

We all know our identity, having the Holy Spirit in us. But what about our heart? As Christians, we should possess the knowledge of the boundaries, of the good and the bad. If we know the boundaries, we can live fearlessly.

Knowing the Truth

John 8:31–32 "To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'"

Hosea 4:6 "My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge...'"

What is the truth that will set us free? What is this lack of knowledge because of which we could be destroyed? This is the knowledge of what is in me and what is around me. It is true that we have been sealed by the Holy Spirit, but there is also something that we have received that we need to be aware of. Not knowing the truth about these things can be dangerous to us as we live on this earth and could even cost us eternity.

1 John 5:19 "We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one."

The world around us is under the control of the devil. What is in us?

Symptoms & Diagnosis

Psalm 139:23–24 "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

David cries to God, "Search my heart. Test me and know my thoughts. Point out any wickedness and evil ways." Because we do not know these things, we deal with them casually.

People, even Christians, often seem to be possessed by, or obsessed with, their own desires, even though they are clearly wrong desires. Why does this happen? Let us look at the symptoms, make a diagnosis, find the root cause, and discover a way to fix it.

If you have symptoms such as anger, hatred, lust, disappointment, or anxiousness, let us see where they come from. Where is the root of the bad fruit or the thorns?

When you are sick, your body shows symptoms. You go to a doctor and undergo tests, scans, or X-rays to find out what is wrong. The symptoms are on the outside, but the tests expose what is happening inside. This is what the devil does not want us to do. He doesnt want to be exposed for it will open our eyes . So it is time for a diagnosis.

Darkness and Light

John 1:5"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

In a dark room, one can see nothing. Similarly, we cannot see what is in our own heart. Only God truly knows the heart of a person. When you spend time with God, He begins to show you what is hidden in your heart. The light shines and exposes the darkness. The evil and demonic darkness is revealed. When you find the root—usually pride—you realize that all the symptoms flow from it.

Which is your root?

When the Holy Spirit is the root—when you submit in humility—the fruit is agape love, the foundation for all the other fruits that flow from it. From it come peace, patience, kindness, and joy.

When the root is the devil - usually pride - the fruit is love for the world and love of self. It becomes about what you want rather than what God wants. The result is pain, depression, loss of control, and frustration.

Pride is always about myself—what I want. Humility is accepting what Jesus says is good for me. "Not my way, but Yours."

Demon Possession & Demonization

Demon possession is when a person is in the driver's seat, but the devil is driving the car. The possessed person does not have control of the steering wheel.

Demonization is when you are in the driver's seat, but you ask the devil to show you the map. You listen to his directions and act like the world. This is when we submit to the devil, and the demon's influence affects our soul.

As long as we are on the earth we are surrounded not by cute and harmless animals, but by predators—evil spirits waiting to devour us. When we are in God's shelter, we are in the presence of the Lamb of God and the Lion of Judah. There, His peace reigns.

Which mirror are you using?

Do not compare your life to others; compare it to the Scriptures. Let no person become your mirror. Let Jesus Christ, the Word of God, be your mirror.

When the mirror is the Word of God, God shows us the evil in our hearts and burns it away. The fire of God both reveals and burns. The light removes the darkness. Bring your darkness into His presence through prayer.

God brought the Israelites out of Egypt. But while walking through the wilderness, the people said eight times, "We were better off in Egypt."

Similarly, though we are born again, we still desire the things of the world—name, money, success, relationships, gossip, movies, and more. But, like Moses, if you keep your eyes on Jesus, you will not desire anything else.

The Israelites came out of Egypt, but Egypt did not come out of them.

In the same way, even when we are freed from demons, the desires they cultivated in us do not disappear automatically. Lust, selfish desires, and worldly passions continue to live within us unless we surrender them to God.

Finding the cure

If you discovered today that there was a tumor inside your body, would you sit casually, or would you immediately seek a cure? If your eyes are opened to see the demonic influences in your heart, will you not cry out to God?

We cannot fight the flesh with our own strength. We are fighting against powers and principalities. Therefore, cry out to the Lord to deliver you from demonic influence. Deliverance is always connected to the truth.

Other Important Things

Set boundaries. Do not spend time with people who are under the influence of the devil.

When you desire material things—such as money, houses, cars, and possessions—it is like going to a temple and worshipping an idol. 

When you gossip about someone, it is like killing that person and cutting them into pieces. Such actions are influenced by demonic forces.

The only place where you are truly safe is in the shelter of the Most High. The only One with whom you should commune continually is the Holy Spirit.

Whenever you receive direction from the world, ask the Holy Spirit, "Are You saying this as well?" Keep asking the Lord about everything.

You may never use a knife, but do you use your tongue to wound and destroy?