BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

The Lord once told me, 'Strife is the manifest presence of the devil.' We can feel that, can’t we? If we walk into a room where two people have been fussing and fighting and cussing each other, even if we didn’t hear or see what was said or done, we can still feel it. That manifest presence of the enemy is real. He gained access through their yelling and screaming and hateful speech. They were judging each other and he found a way in. We’ve always known judging is serious, but it’s more serious than we thought because it allows the enemy to achieve his ultimate goal—to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). It gives him access to devour. We’re to revere our spiritual body, the Body of Christ, of which all of us are a part, because it is precious to our Lord. We’re not to judge it. And while we shouldn’t judge other people, we should judge ourselves. First John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Some of the sweetest news any of us will ever hear is that, even though we have messed up big time, we can judge ourselves and receive the cleansing and washing that’s always available. Forgive and Have Mercy Rather than judging, we can extend mercy to those who have wronged us and stop the enemy in his tracks. We can follow Jesus’ direction: “Love ye your enemies, and do good…. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. JUDGE not, and ye shall not be judged: CONDEMN not, and ye shall not be condemned: FORGIVE, and ye shall be forgiven…. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:35-38, emphasis added). Three words stand out in this passage: judge, condemn and forgive. When we judge and condemn, we’re acting as judge and jury. We look upon someone and decide that they are wrong and guilty. Instead, we should acknowledge when we don’t understand people’s hearts, motives, decisions or actions, and pray for understanding. Then we must realize that since we don’t know those things, we can’t form an intelligent opinion. We don’t know how someone got to where they are. All we need to know is that God loves them. We must forgive. So Much at Stake Our enemy is seeking whom he may devour. We can prevent him from gaining access by recognizing his ploys and resisting his judgment. Instead of judging others, we can judge ourselves. Keeping him from gaining access into our lives takes us out of the “whom he may” devour category and places us squarely in the “whom he may not” devour category—ensuring that the enemy may not steal, kill or destroy us or anything under our authority. There’s too much at stake. There are lost people to reach with the gospel and believers to train for future battles. Nothing can stop us from taking the land God has set before us. We are each in a place of strategic importance. Let’s resist the enemy with the tools God has given us. The battle is simply too important to lose! V Keith Moore is founder and president of Moore Life Ministries and Faith Life Church in both Branson, Mo., and Sarasota, Fla. For more information or ministry materials visit moorelife.org. Watch Keith Moore on VICTORY Channel® Sun. 7 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.; Tues. 9 a.m.; Fri. 11:30 p.m.; Sat. 8:30 a.m. & 5 p.m. ET ******************************** ******************************** ******************************** Words of Faith: Holiness The more we walk in obedience to God, the less room we give the devil to operate in our lives. Prov. 16:7 Separating yourself unto God opens the door for Him to be the Father to you He desires to be. (2 Cor. 6:17-18) God created you to be a vessel of His glory and walk in the light. (1 Thes. 4:1) Walking in holiness is part of your divine calling. (1 Thes. 4:7) Holiness doesn’t come from striving legalistically to keep rules and regulations. (Gal. 5:16) ___________________________________ BVOV : 11

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