The Setup
I wanted to share the revelation the Lord gave me the other day as I was praying. He brought to my attention the movie "Enough ." I pondered on it for a while and asked the Lord what He was trying to tell me. I want to share parts of the movie and how it relates to our lives.
In the movie, Jennifer Lopez (Slim) is a waitress. She falls for the bait of deception and falls in love. He seemed to be everything a woman could ask for great-looking, great job; you get the picture. They eventually get married, and what appeared to be perfect is torn down by his infidelity, mental and physical abuse. To protect herself and her child, she escapes with the help of friends. She takes on a whole new identity in her appearance and her name.
Just as she fell for the lies, this is what happens to us as believers. The devil doesn't show up in a red jumpsuit with pointy ears and a pitchfork. He is ever so canny planting the thoughts in our mind wanting us to act on them; he will also use people to fulfill his dirty work to get us to fall into the trap. He will go to great lengths to stop the plan of God for your life. His mission is to wear you down to get you to give up. He will try to steal your identity because when you know who you are in Christ, he knows he doesn't have a chance.
“The devil doesn’t show up in a red jumpsuit with pointy ears and a pitchfork.”
Slim is now on the run with a new identity, stripped of all she once had known. He continually investigates to find her, controlling her life with fear and manipulation. Eventually, she has enough, is tired of the running, and wants her life back. She finds a personal trainer who trains her both mentally and physically. She will set him up for one last fight. Although she was by herself, in her mind, she could hear the trainer's voice. He has equipped her to conquer the one who once defeated her. He didn't go down easy, but she never gave up until she gained back her identity and freedom.
In comparison to the movie, we can see where the devil tries to strip us of who we are. Planting lies of deception, fear, unforgiveness, anger, bitterness, offense, manipulation, doubt, and unbelief, making us feel unworthy. These are strongholds that keep us from fulfilling the call that God has for our lives. Just as she had to learn how to fight back, God has given us His word and has equipped us with authority to stand up against our adversaries. We also have the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth. We have to listen. So often, many believers don't realize who they are in Christ and have no idea how to fight back, feeling as though this is the life they are to live. No, that is a lie from the devil. God wants you to walk in who you are in Him and to use your authority and take back what is legally yours. After all, when you choose to make Jesus Lord and Savior of your life, you become adopted into His family and are no longer fighting alone.
Ephesians 6:12 NKJV
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
I encourage you if you are tired of living a life feeling defeated, it is time to go to war for your life and the lives of your family members. Jesus died to give you life everlasting in heaven and walk in freedom here on earth. It takes you engaging in the war for your life. Upon presenting your life to the Lord through salvation and making Him the Lord of your life, you become a child of God.
“I encourage you if you are tired of living a life feeling defeated, it is time to go to war for your life and the lives of your family members.”
Ephesians 6:10-20
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace: above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all saints- and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
When you choose to make Jesus your Lord and Savior, you become a child of God. Let that get you excited to know this is just how much the Lord loves you. He thought so much of you that he wanted you to be a part of His family.
Blessings from Behind the Chair Ministries