BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

As believers, the moment we step out of love, we step into sin. We get over into the devil’s territory where he can hurt us. By saying no to sin, however, we can stay out of that territory. We can live consistently in the protected place of love, and when we’re in that place the devil can’t touch us. First John 5:18 confirms this. It says, “Whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” Since “God is love” (1 John 4:8) that verse can also be read this way: “Whosoever is born of Love sinneth not; but he that is begotten of Love keepeth himself in Love, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” This doesn’t mean, of course, you’ll never miss it. It doesn’t mean that just because you’re born again you’ll never again commit a sin. It means the moment you do, you can be quick to confess that sin and receive forgiveness by faith. You can be quick to let grace do its work in you, and go right back to loving everyone and not letting anything ruffle your feathers. If you want to be untouchable by the devil, you can’t afford to get in a fuss with anyone. You can’t even afford to get mad at your hair when you’re getting ready for church. As silly as it sounds, some believers actually do that! They get up on Sunday morning, spend time praying in the spirit and enjoying The LORD’s presence, and then because they can’t make their hair look right, they snap at their wives. Their wives snap back. They wind up ripping around on each other and, after having prayed themselves into a place where The LORD could have moved through them in the church service, they blow away the anointing—over a hairdo! It’s not worth it, my friend. That’s the way satan gets away with murder, so don’t go down that road. Repent the instant you catch yourself even beginning to head that direction. “But Brother Copeland, I just feel terrible. I’ve had to repent of the same stupid sin 15 times!” So what? Go ahead and make it 16. Just stay in there. Quit crying about it, and say to God, “Sir, I sinned. I judge myself of it and I’m here before You in the Name of The LORD Jesus Christ to confess this sin, receive Your forgiveness, and be cleansed of all unrighteousness.” After you’ve done that, if your old flesh still wants to feel terrible, tell it to shut up. Pray in tongues and worship God until you’ve prayed all those sorry, lousy feelings off yourself. Believe the love of God, and say to the devil, “Get out of my household! I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. He loves me; I love Him; and I keep His commandments. I walk in love, and the wicked one touches me not!” For a while you may be calling things that be not as though they were. But if you’ll keep doing it, your emotions and your flesh will get in line with your faith. Before long you’ll look and realize that not only are you rid of that sin, but the mess it made in your life has totally been wiped out. God’s grace has made things so right, it’s “Like it never even happened.”® V 8 : BVOV

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