BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

Contrary to God’s plan in forgiving us through the person of Jesus Christ, the devil’s device is to keep us in a state of unforgiveness—neither loving nor comforting the man. This device of the devil is one of the most dangerous, subtle things he does. It’s one of the most widespread and most effective tactics and devices he has used in the Body of Christ since the beginning. And it’s not just that the enemy will tempt you to not forgive other people. He will tempt you to judge other people. Forgiving is the opposite of judging. If you forgive, you don’t judge. If you judge, you don’t forgive. Jesus Set the Standard In Matthew 5:22 Jesus said, “Whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire” ("New King James Version"). What is he talking about? Why is this so serious? The word Raca is basically calling the person an “empty-headed idiot.” It’s like saying he is good for nothing, worthless, valueless. This idle talk (after all, this person had no cause to be angry—he hadn’t been sinned against) was bound to come back on him, according to Jesus. “Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:36). Words like this are part of the devil’s vocabulary. They are the kind of words he uses as an adversary, accuser and destroyer. What if this causeless name-calling is directed at someone who is weak in faith and doesn’t know his true identity in Christ? We don’t know how our words will affect people, but words like this will most likely do serious damage to the person. Jesus goes on to say in Matthew 5:23-25, “If thou bring thy gift to the altar and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge…and thou be cast into prison.” Those are strong words, but Jesus is clear: Don’t let the offense go on…be made right with your brother! Matthew 7:1-2 tells us to “judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” In short, walk in the way of Jesus. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * There are two very practical ways to give the Word first place in your life. 1. First, plan your schedule around the Word instead of trying to squeeze the Word into your schedule. 2. Second, give the Word priority in your life by acting on it. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Don’t Judge—Forgive! Judge not! Forgive! Love! Those words are contrary to the devil’s devices. Setting our hearts to walk in forgiveness will make all the difference in our daily lives, because it will stop the devil in his tracks. When we forgive, we put the devil in his place and close the door to his setups. Living in love and forgiveness will open doors to the promises of God to flood our lives. One of the most beloved passages of Scripture for my wife, Phyllis, and myself, are these words of Jesus in Mark 11:22-24: “Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say to this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” We use this scripture as our stand of faith for everything in life! Take a look at the two verses that follow: “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses” (verses 25-26). If Mark 11:22-24 is for us, then how much more are verses 25 and 26 for us? They go together. And the devil knows more than we do just how important those verses are. That’s why he is continually tempting us to not forgive and to not walk in love! Jesus paid the price for us to walk in love and forgiveness. We do not have to let the devil set us up and use his devices against us. The Holy Ghost, through the Apostle James, gave us a whole epistle about loving, living free of judgment and walking in forgiveness. Your faith will be built as you read the words of the Holy Ghost that expound on the life of Christ lived out in the life of believers. (Take time to read it soon!) James tells us exactly how to stay free of the devil’s devices. He says, “Submit yourselves…to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:7, 10). In other words, live according to what God has done for you! Live by Jesus’ words. Live free of judgment. Live a life of forgiveness. Walk in love toward the people God has placed in your life. This way of living will put the devil in his place, and keep him out of your life! V ABOUT: 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. BVOV : 27

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