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Chapter
4 The
Lord answered, “Your righteousness; that is, everything that your heart
believes and trusts to be right and true. For all that which a man treasures in
his heart is rooted and grounded in those things that he believes and trust in.
Such things as your own religion, your opinions, your abilities, your money,
your own will, your loyalties, your doctrines, your politics, your
self-respect, your traditions, your own understanding, your feelings and
emotions, your self-confidence, your relationships, your job, your name, your
own interpretation of the scriptures, your judgments of other men, as well as
all of your own judgments of what you believe to be good & evil, right
& wrong, and truth & lies. These are the precious treasures that every
man values in his heart; and he will guard them above all things, even with his
life. Do not every man protect those things that he values to be precious to
him? Do you not know that every man lives his entire life according to the
things that he believes to be right and true? It is this standard that men use
to set the course of their lives. Luke
16:15 AMP “But
He said to them, You are the ones who declare yourselves just and upright
before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted and highly thought
of among men is detestable and abhorrent (an abomination) in the sight of
God.” Job
40:7,8 “Gird up
thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. Will
thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be
righteous?
The Lord continued, “Does not my word testify that I, the Lord your God, sees
that the heart of man is deceitful above all things? Is there anything that can
be more deceitful than for a man to have the ability in his heart to take that
which is not wrong, or that which his false, or that which is evil, and then
through the works of self-justification, he is able to make his decisions, or
his judgments, or his opinions, or his deeds, or his words to appear as that
which seems right, or true, or good?” Then the Lord said this, “Mitt, if
you can understand the deceitfulness of self-justification, then you will be
able to understand all of the power that Satan uses to deceive all men. When
the lies of Satan and the wisdom of man are joined together, then comes forth
illusions of self-justification that seem real and true. It is in these
illusions that make wrong ways seem right, that makes lies to appear as the
truth, that makes the works of iniquity to appear as righteousness, and that
make darkness to appear as the light. Satan speaks the lies that the wisdom of
man desires to hear, and it is this wisdom that then goes to work to justify
his lies. Has not my word instructed you not to be wise in your own eyes? Have
I not said that I would freely and liberally give my wisdom to whoever lacked
it? Do not men feel comfortable and justified in their own reasonings and
excuses? Have you seen any shame in the heart of a man that thinks that he is
right in what he believes and trusts in? Have you seen in godly sorrow in the
hearts and minds of those who delight in the works of their own righteousness?
This is the power of darkness; the power that deceives men into believing that
things are as they appear in the sight of men. This is also that lie that says,
“If it is right in my sight, then surely it must be right in the sight of
God.” Jeremiah
17:9 NKJ “The
heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked, Who can know
it.”
Proverbs
16:25 NASB “There
is a way that seems right to a man, but it’s end is the way of death.” Luke
11:35 “Take heed
therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.” Luke
18:9-14 NASB “And
He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they
were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: “Two men went up into the
temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee
stood and was praying this to himself: “God, I thank You that I am not like
other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
“I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get”. But the tax
collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes
to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me, the
sinner!” I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the
other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles
himself will be exalted.” You
know that it is written that when I came into this world, my own people could
not see any beauty in me that they should desire for themselves. Is it not also
written that those who loved to
justify themselves then rejected, despised, blasphemed, scorned, and hated me
so much that they spit on me, mocked me, tortured me and crucified me? Is your
righteousness so precious to you that you would also reject me? Did they not
crucify me for the sake of self-preservation, so that they could hold fast to
their treasured possessions? Would you reject me if I do not honor you, or
praise you, or glorify you, or flatter you so as to not contribute to the
beauty of your own castle? Are you going to be like many who I have called, but
then they make light of their calling because of their ignorance of my calling?
Have I not called all of you to come into the righteousness of abundant life? I
see all of those illusions that disguise and fashion themselves with appearance
of righteousness. I see all those things which are hidden in the dark places of
a man’s heart and mind that he does not want to be made known. I do not look
on the appearances of the castle of your heart, but I look deep into the castle
to see that which your treasures. The castle that you see, this is how you see
the castle of your heart, all arrayed in the beauty of your own goodness and
decked out in your own righteousness. I
Kings 8:38-40 NASB “Whatever
prayer or supplication is made by any man or by all Your people Israel, each
knowing the affliction of his own heart, and spreading his hands toward this
house; then
hear in heaven, Your dwelling place, and forgive and act and render to each
according to all his ways, whose heart You know, for You alone know the hearts
of all the sons of men, that they may fear You all the days that they live in
the land which You have given to our fathers.” Then
the Lord asked, “Mitt, would you allow for me to show you how I see your
castle; the truth about that which some of those things your heart has been
treasuring?” I then immediately froze for a moment, fearful that if the Lord
had to ask me such a question, then it could only mean that he did not see the
beauty and splendor of my castle as I did. Even so, I knew from past
experiences that the Lord has never brought anything into the light that he was
not ready to change or redeem with his Spirit. I also knew from my past
experiences with him that everything that the Lord has ever brought into the
light for me, that which was once treasured in my eyes, I would suddenly see it
to be the foolishness or the vanity that he saw it to be. I remembered how I
had treasured my own righteous works until the Lord told me that it is his
righteous works that are to accompany my faith; and all of the works that he
had done for me since have simply been awesome. And there was one more thing
that I remembered, and that is that I have come to learn that when the Lord
comes to correct or to change something within me, then it does not come by
punishment, but by his Spirit; and his Spirit brings forth that good life. In
fact, because all of his works have been such a blessing to me, it has allowed
for him to win my trust, my loyalty, my faith, my belief, and my love. I then
gave him permission to open my eyes so that I could see the castle of my heart
as he saw it. I
Samuel 16:7 NAS “But
the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of
his stature because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man
looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” Suddenly
my eyes were opened and what I saw did not at all resemble the castle that I
has previously seen, but rather it looked like one of the most terrifying
haunted castles that I have ever seen, whether in a movie, or on any TV show,
or any that I have seen pictured in a book. There were no banners, or
tapestries, or linen curtains blowing in the wind, and neither did I see any
beautiful or lively colors anywhere in this castle. All of the rooms were
filled with darkness inside, and it looked as though the entire castle was
completely void of life. This castle had none of the glory as I had seen in the
first castle. In fact, it was as if this castle was only a habitation of decay,
death, and darkness. I then saw different kinds of dark spirits floating around
as though they were ghost; and they just seem to freely drift in and out of the
windows and the broken down doors. This entire castle appeared to be in a total
state of disrepair, and decay, and neglect. I was really shocked to see this
haunted castle because I really had not been expecting to see anything like
this. I
Corinthians 4:5 NIV “Therefore
judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will
bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's
hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.” Isaiah
57:12 “I will
declare your righteousness and your works (of darkness), for they shall not
profit.” The
vision of this haunted castle really took me by surprise. I then asked,
“Lord, is this some kind of sin that may have been hidden in my heart? Is
this truly how you see my heart because this haunted castle is so contrary to
how I see my heart.” Then the Lord said, “If you have believed my word,
then you would know that what I am showing you is true. Do not be afraid of
what you see because the grace of my love always covers you. Is it not written
that there are none who are righteous in the sight of God? Is it not also
written that there are none who are good in the sight of God?” I knew that
these words were true, but I had never really seen why they were written. I
then answered, “Yes Lord. But what are the things within me that are haunting
my castle?” The Lord answered, “The spirit of FEAR.” Then the Lord began
to open my eyes so that I could see that all these ghost-like spirits that I
had seen drifting around were nothing but spirits of fear. Then the Lord said,
“All that which has been haunting your castle are these spirits of fear that
have been haunting you in your own thoughts. This is the death that rules over
the thoughts of the carnal mind.”
ans
8:6 NKJ “For to
be carnally minded is death…” Psalm
94:11 “The Lord
knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.” Isaiah
65:2 “I have
spread out my hands all day long to a rebellious (will not listen or trust)
people, which walk in a way that is not good, after their own thoughts.” Then
the Lord opened my eyes to see that all of these ghosts were spirits of fear,
and they all had different natures. I then saw that there were names written
across each one’s chests that identified exactly what the nature of fear that
fearful spirit was. These are just a few of the names of these spirits that I
saw: the fear of dying; the fear of man; the fear of not being in control; the
fear of loss, the fear of making a mistake; the fear of being judged by others;
the fear of suffering; the fear of hearing the truth; the fear of insecurity;
the fear of not being right; the fear of getting sick; the fear of failure; the
fear of being different; the fear of abuse; the fear of poverty; the fear of
being accused; the fear of heights; the fear of being used by others; the fear
of not being able to justify mistakes or faults; the fear of losing; the fear
of adversity; the fear of appearing foolish; the fear of shame; the fear of not
measuring up; the fear of not understanding; the fear of the future; the fear
of being deceived; the fear of the loss of possessions; the fear of growing
old; the fear of being embarrassed, the fear of the loss of a job; the fear of
being condemned; the fear of being late; the fear of not being accepted; the
fear of change; the fear of being left out; the fear of weaknesses or sins
being exposed; the fear that you will not get your will; the fear of the
unknown; the fear of what others think; the fear of being asked to do something
that you cannot possibly do; the fear of failing health; and the fears that one
has for the safety and security for his children, or his family, or his
friends, or for his brethren. I perceived that I was seeing one spirit of fear,
but that this one spirit had a legion of different personalities. Luke
8:28-31 AMP “And
when he saw Jesus, he raised a deep (terrible) cry [from the depths of his
throat] and fell down before Him [in terror] and shouted loudly, What have You
[to do] with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? What have we in common?] I
beg You, do not torment me! For Jesus was already commanding the unclean spirit
to come out of the man. For many times it had snatched and held him; he was
kept under guard and bound with chains and fetters, but he would break the
bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilderness (desert). Jesus then asked
him, What is your name? And he answered, Legion; for many demons had entered
him. And they begged [Jesus] not to command them to depart into the Abyss
(bottomless pit).” Romans
8:14,15 AMP “For
all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For [the Spirit which]
you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in
bondage to fear…” As
haunting as these group of fears were, it was the next group of haunting
spirits that really frightened me. These were the spirits whose only nature and
purpose for being was to try and haunt us in our relationship, our communion,
and our fellowship with God. These were those spirits that by nature are
fearful to believe God; fearful that God has lied to them; fearful to draw near
to God; fearful to be corrected by God; fearful to trust God; fearful to
confess sins; fearful to ask anything of God; fearful that God will not heal;
fearful that God will not forgive; fearful that God would not be there when
needed; fearful that God will not answer that which is asked of him; fearful of
lack or coming up short; fearful of being persecuted for the name of Christ;
fearful that God does not care; fearful because of it’s ignorance of God;
fearful to surrender all to God; fearful that God was going to bring it’s
shame into the light; fearful that God would forsake me; fearful that God would
not be faithful to his word for me; fearful that I was not good enough for God;
fearful that God does not love me; fearful that God will not do for me that
which he has done for others; fearful that God would limit his mercy and grace
towards me; fearful that I was going to be rejected; fearful of being condemned
by God; and fears that did nothing but doubt God. I saw that it was impossible
for any of these unclean spirits to act in any other nature other than what
it’s name was. In other words, the spirit of fear that believes that God is
going to reject it, to those who have surrendered their hearts to believe that
it’s lying counsel is right and true, then they have no choice but to be in
bondage to the belief that God is going to reject them also. As the spirit is,
so is the nature of the soul that believes it; for they one in agreement. Revelation
21:7,8 “He that
overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my
son. But the
fearful and
unbelieving….shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and
brimstone; which is the second death.”
Proverbs
29:25 The fear of
man brings a snare: but whoever puts his trust in the Lord shall be safe. Then
the Spirit of the Lord opened my understanding so that I could see that though
all of these spirits of fear were of different natures, they all had the same
purpose, to haunt me with troubling and tormenting thoughts. Because each
spirit had a different nature, they could only haunt me when a situation or
circumstance arose that agreed with their nature. That is, the fear of heights
could only trouble and torment a man when he was in a high place; but for him
to haunt that man, that man had to first believe that its counsels were right
and true. The fear of man could only trouble a man when a circumstance or
situation arose where that man perceived some kind of threat that might come
against him from other men. I saw that each fear was limited to where he could
only trouble or torment a man when the circumstance or situation arose that
matched that spirits nature; and of course, a man first had to believe that the
counsels of these unclean spirits was right before he could believe them. Once
a man believed any of their counsels, then these spirits could be seen by the
fruits of their works that were manifested in either stress, or despair, or
uncertainly, or confusion, or terror, or unwillingness, or dread, or
hesitation, or fret, or
insecurity, or evil suspicions, or distress, or rebellion, or
self-condemnation, or worry, or hopelessness, or impatience, or panic, or
disappointments, or anxiety, as well as in the thoughts that doubt God, that do
not believe God, and that distrust God. I
John 4:18 There is
no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves
torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. I
then saw another group of spirits that did not appear in the same form as any
of these spirits of fear, but I perceived that they were somehow or another all
related. When these spirits were present they were just as troubling to a
man’s thoughts as any of these spirits the fear were because when they are
present in a man’s thoughts, there is then no peace or rest in that man’s
mind. These unclean spirits were named envy, malice, depression, jealousy,
unforgiveness, confusion, rage, frustration, contention, bitterness,
covetousness, vengefulness, strife, hatred, lusts, and anger. It was here that
for the first time I began to understand why the Lord says that death rules
over the thoughts of the carnal mind. Up until this time, I just thought the
death of the carnal mind only had to do with man’s “separation from God”,
but I now I could see that the very nature of these troubling, and miserable,
and tormenting thoughts was death itself. I even saw that if a man had no fear
of dying, then he would never be troubled with any worries or stress about
dying. I could now see that there was no peace or life in any of the counsels
that these spirits were haunted the castle of my heart. The Lord also opened my
eyes to see that death is not only a separation from God, but it is also this
actual thinking that is separate from God’s thoughts. Jeremiah
6:16 “Hear, O
earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their
thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but
rejected it.” Proverbs
1:30,31 “They
would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they
eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices (thoughts,
counsels,).” I
then saw two more spirits that seemed to travel side by side, working hand in
hand with each other to haunt my castle. One had the words “What If”
written across his chest area, and the other had the words “Worst Case
Scenario” written on his chest. I can only speak for myself in saying that I
clearly recognized both of these spirits, and how they had infected my
thinking. I saw how the “What If” seemed to always lead me to into the
hands of the “Worst Case Scenario” spirit. The “What If” spirit would
come and try to paint many pictures in my thinking that tried to dictate to me
how I should fearfully respond or react to situations or circumstance before
any of these events even happened. If I have ever met a false prophet, then my
eyes were opened to see how these two spirits were nothing but false prophets
sent to trouble and torment with their fears about events before they even
happen. I
then said, “Lord, now I see how it was these two spirits that many times in
my past have had me tossing and turning in my bed, or that have kept me awake
most of the night with thoughts of stress, anxiety, and worry. Now Lord I see
that all of these thoughts are birthed out of the prophesies that the “What
If” or “Worst Case Scenario” spirits bring forth in my imaginations. No
wonder your word has instructed us to take no thought for tomorrow, because so
many of the thoughts about tomorrow do nothing but open the door for these two
spirits to come in “now” to trouble and torment us about tomorrow. As I
thought more on how much these two unclean spirits have corrupted so much of my
thinking, the Spirit of the Lord then quickened to me that which is written Romans
8:28 “And
we know that all things work together for good to them who love God, to them
who are called according to his purpose.”
Then the Lord said, “My word is true. This is the only prophesy that you need
to be mindful of. No matter how bad a circumstance or situation looks, I am
well able to bring forth good out of every one of them. I can part the seas; I
can calm the winds; or I can cast out your fears. If you will take up your
cross and die to the words of these two unclean spirits, declaring before me
that none of their counsels is the right way for you to follow after, then I
will come and redeem you from these haunting spirits. I will send forth the
Spirit of Life that will set you free from the death that troubles and torments
the carnal mind. If you will disown these lies, and not longer esteem their
words to be right and true, then I will redeem the “What Ifs” and “Worst
Case Scenarios” with the “All things will work together for good”.
Then the Lord said to me that no matter circumstance or situation that I
could be, that there is only one worst case scenario that is true, and that is
I could lose him. Luke
9:24 NASB “For
whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My
sake, he is the one who will save it.” Matthew
16:26 “For what
is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or
what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Then
the Lord said, “These are the spirits of Dread; the spirits of fear that
guard and protect all of the other fears. These are the spirits that mock and
scoff at anything that they do not understand or comprehend; and they do not
understand or comprehend anything about the love or power of God. These are the
spirits that continually scorn and make light of all things that are of God. As
there is no fear in love, and no love in fear, so also are there no blessings
in dread, or any dread in blessings. Any man who sets his heart to know come to
know the height, the length, the width, and the depth of the love of God, he
will certainly encounter these unclean spirits. These are the spirits that are
always on the watch, seeking to find that opportunity to march right into that
man’s thoughts to mock, or to intimidate, or to bully him around in his
thinking with such counsels as “No way”; or “That is Impossible”: or,
“That is just illogical”; or, “That is unreasonable”; or, “That is
Ridiculous”; or, “That is irrational”; or, “That is foolishness”; or
“Can’t happen”; or “Unbelievable”. It is impossible for these spirits
of Dread to react to the love of God in any other manner than with scorn or
mockery. What is impossible is for any of these unclean spirits to understand
the grace of God; or, the faithfulness of God; or, the love of God; or, the
power of God because the darkness cannot comprehend the things that are of God. I
Corinthians 2:14 NIV “The
man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of
God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because
they are spiritually discerned.” II
Peter 2:12 NIV But
these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like brute
beasts, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like
beasts they too will perish.…20
If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at
the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not
to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn
their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the
proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is
washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.” Jude
17 NKJ “But you,
beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our
Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last
time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual
persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.” II
Peter 3:3,4 NASB “Know
this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking,
following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His
coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was
from the beginning of creation.” Every
single thought that does not believe that God will work all things together for
good, it is a thought that comes forth from these spirits of Dread. Every
thought that reasons against the love of God, and the mercy, or the help, or
the forgiveness, or any of the wonderful works that Father’s love desires to
do for us, it is a thought that comes forth from these spirits of Dread. Every
thought that does not believe that the power of God is able to perform
“all” that which is impossible for men to do, it is a thought that comes
forth from these spirits of Dread. Every thought that doubts the faithfulness
of God, it is a thought that comes forth from these spirits of Dread. Every
thought that cannot believe that the grace of God is sufficient enough in times
of sin, it is a thought that comes forth from these spirits of Dread. Every
thought that says that good can only come to those who do good for themselves,
it is thought that comes forth from these spirits of Dread. Every thought that
says, “Why bother with your prayers because God will not be bothered with
listening to you”, it is a thought that comes forth from these spirits of
Dread. It is impossible for any of these spirits of Dread to comprehend, or
understand, or to believe, or to hope that God is able to do, or that he will
bless, or that he will perform his words and promises. These spirits are enmity
against God, and they watch at all times to resist any move of the Spirit of
God. Everyone that agrees to surrender his heart to believe that these wicked
and ungodly thoughts are right and true, he then is made like unto that unclean
spirit; for a man is like unto the thoughts that he thinks. It is from these
hopeless spirits that come forth the lies that say that God will reward a man
for his “best efforts” and “good intentions”. DREAD:
to greatly
fear; to be in extreme apprehension; to regard or look forward to with terrific
apprehension; fearful expectation or anticipation Proverbs
23:7 NASB “For
as he thinks within himself, so he is….” Ephesians
5:8 NIV “For you
were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of
light.” John
1:5 NIV “The
light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” It
is the work of these spirits of Dread to speak the lies that pervert the image
of Satan, to make it appear as those it is the counsel of Satan’s words that
are right and true; while also working to pervert the image of God, to make it
appear as though God’s words are false and perverse. God loves all men, and
he desires to do good and to bless all men at all times, but the spirits of
Dread would not have any man to see or to believe that this is the way of God.
It is these spirits that work to deceive men into believing that Satan is a god
that should be dreaded, and that all should suffer who do not bow their hearts
to believe the counsel of his demons. It is also these fears that deceive men
into believing that God should be dreaded in the same manner as Satan; that is,
that man should be brought into obedience to God through threats, control,
fears, and intimidation. It is these spirits of dread that work to deceive men
into believing that God would treat men in the same manner as Satan treats
them, as a liar that cannot be trusted to do what he says. It is also these
vile spirits that would have a man to believe that God looks and waits for a
man to make just one error so that he can pounce on him with accusations,
condemnation, and that evil is going to come upon him. Yet, in truth, it is the
darkness that fears the light because the nature of fear only allows for it to
fear; and the darkness cannot change. Remember that which I told you, that fear
has no greater protector than fear itself. Those who worship these spirits are
those who believe that their fears and dreads are real and true; and as the
nature of these lying spirits are, so also will their nature also be because
that is what they are in agreement with. Isaiah
8:12,13 NASB “You
are not to say, “It is a conspiracy!” In regard to all that this people
call a conspiracy, and you are not to fear what they fear or be in dread of it.
It is the LORD of hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your
fear, and He shall be your dread.” Hebrews
6:16-19 NASB “For
men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as
confirmation is an end of every dispute. In the same way God, desiring even
more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose,
interposed with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things in which it is
impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong
encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an
anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within
the veil.” John
8:44 NASB “You
are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father He
was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because
there is no truth in him Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own
nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. These
dreadful spirits work to deceive men into believing that Satan is as sovereign
as God; that he is able to exercise power and authority at the leisure of his
own will to kill, to steal, and to destroy the lives of men as though there
were no boundaries or limitations to contain that which he desires to do.
Again, let me remind you that the only power that Satan has over a man is the
power that comes when his words are believed to be right and true. If a man
believes the counsels that come forth from these unclean spirits of fear, then
those spirits shall receive power and authority to rule over that man’s
thinking; to be the righteousness that he lives his life according to. It is
for this reason that these vile spirits continuously work to bully and
intimidate men into believing that their words are right and true, that Satan
should be feared and dreaded. Satan, that old Devil, loves to exercise his lust
to judge, to accuse, to threaten, and to condemn men when he sees their
mistakes, their sins, and their weaknesses because it allows for these spirits
of Dread to keep fearing that any of their mistakes, or sins, or weaknesses to
be manifest, lest they suffer the judgment, the accusations, or condemnation
that comes forth from the children of darkness. How great, might you ask, have
these spirits of Dread blinded the eyes of men? Consider how many men you know
that count it joy to confess their sins, or their mistakes, or their
weaknesses. This is the power of darkness, the work of the spirits of Dread, to
keep all mistakes, sins, faults, and weaknesses hidden from the eyes of others.
John
8:10-12 AMP “When
Jesus raised Himself up, He said to her (the woman caught in the act of
adultery), “Woman, where are your accusers? Has no man condemned you? She
answered, No one, Lord! And Jesus said, I do not condemn you either. Go on your
way and from now on sin no more. Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said,
I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not be walking in the dark,
but will have the Light which is Life.” Revelation
12:10 “Then I
heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the
kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of
our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast
down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their
testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” It
is also the work of these same vile spirits that work to deceive men into
believing that God is going to recompense their sins, or their mistakes, or
their weaknesses or their faults with the same evil consequence as the darkness
recompenses to them; with judgment, or with accusations, or with condemnation ,
or with severe punishment, or with a curse, or with, or with anger, or with
suffering, or with destruction, or with sickness, or with affliction, or with
disappointment, or with abandonment, or with death, or with ridicule, or with
infirmity, or with some form of banishment, or with rejection. It is the work
of these spirits of Dread to keep many tormented and troubled with the
expectation that God is going to render evil unto them for the evil they do. It
is impossible for the spirits of Dread to think that God will recompense to a
man for his sins and weaknesses with mercy, or with compassion, or with
forgiveness, or with grace, or any other work that comes forth from love. These
spirits, as well as all those who are possessed by these spirits, are not able
to see or to believe that God works all things together for good for those who
love him, to even see that the goodness of God leads a man into repentance for
his weaknesses and sins rather than into condemnation, or into evil, or into
destruction. But these spirits of Dread would not have any man to see it this
way. Who are those are led into evil, or destruction, or condemnation, or
rejection but those who believe the lies that say that this is how God deals
with sins and weaknesses. I
Thessalonians 5:14,15 NASB “We
urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the
weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one repays another with evil for
evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all
people.” I
Peter 3:8,9 ASV “Finally,
be ye all likeminded, compassionate, loving as brethren, tenderhearted,
humbleminded: not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but
contrariwise blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a
blessing. Romans
2:4 NKJ “Or
do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not
knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” Just
like with the woman that was caught in the act of adultery, these spirits of
Dread will not hesitate to use laws written in stone or the doctrines of men to
exercise there desires to keep men fearful of judgment and condemnation. The
more these spirits can exercise their threats and intimidation by perverting
the use of laws and doctrines, the more control they are able to gain over the
thinking of men. The woman that was caught in the very act of adultery, did she
have any expectation or hope that see was going to see any of the goodness of
mercy and grace to come to her by the hand of those who came against her with
the law of Moses? The words that I spoke to her, did they bring any kind of
threat or intimidation to her? If my people, who are called by name, will
humble themselves, turn from their wicked ways, and seek my face, then what
will I do for them? If my people will confess their sins before me, then what
does my word testify that I will do for them? The consequences that God brings
to a man for his sins and weaknesses are not like the consequences that the
darkness brings with it. Those who are fearful to even see their sins and
weaknesses are greatly oppressed by these spirits of Dread. Again, the more
these bullying spirits are able to pervert the use of laws and doctrines, then
the more my people will be haunted with their intimidations and threats that
condemnation, or sickness, or judgment, or some manner of evil is going to come
unto them for their sin instead of the grace of my love. The mouth of these
spirits of Dread delight in bringing forth the words that will stone a man with
intimidation and threats for his transgressions. I
Timothy 1:5-8 NKJ “Now
the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good
conscience, and from sincere faith, from which some, having strayed, have
turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding
neither what they say nor the things which they affirm. But we know that the
law is good if one uses it lawfully.” Romans
5:20 “The law
was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace
increased all the more.” I
John 1:9 “If we
confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness.” Do
you really believe that which the scriptures testify of me, that it is real and
true? If a man were to confess his sins before me, that grace, and compassion,
and forgiveness, and mercy would be the only consequence he would see coming
from me? Do you really believe that my goodness would only lead him into
repentance, and not into hell? And even if he kept committing the same sins
over and over, but he kept bringing his sins to me; do you really believe that
I would be able to forgive him seven times seventy, or even seventy times seven
hundred ? Would I ask you to treat your brother in any other manner than that
which my heart delights in treating him with, even when he sins? When his sin,
or your sins, abound, do you really believe that the grace of my love will
abound even more and more? If you believe on me, then what habitation could
these spirits of Dread find to dwell in? Matthew
18:21,22 NKJ Then
Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me,
and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to
you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” James
1:12,13 NKJ “So
speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment
is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over
judgment.” Romans
2:4-9 NKJ “Or do
you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not
knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But in accordance
with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself
wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who
will render to each one according to his deeds: eternal life to those who by
patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but
to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth but obey
unrighteousness: indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul
of man who does evil (believes their fears and dreads), of the Jew first
and also of the Greek.” Again
I want to remind you that these wicked spirits could have no power at all over
you unless you first believe them to be right and true. This is that strong
delusion that deceives men into believing that it is God standing in the temple
of their hearts, ruling over them with the threats and intimidations that evil
consequences are going to come upon them for their mistakes, their sins, and
their weaknesses. In truth, it is only the adversary, that accuser of the
brethren, who abuses men with his fears and dreads. No man can have two masters
in his temple; for he will either believe that one is right and true while he
scoffs and rejects the counsels of the other. Either he will account the lies
of Satan’s fears and dreads to be his righteousness, or he will account the
truth of God’s love to be his righteousness. The one will receive the wrath
and the anger that he expects to come to him, while the other shall receive the
grace of Father’s love. Every man’s reward shall be according to that which
he believes. II
Thessalonians 2:3-12 NKJ “Let
no one deceive you by any means; for that day will not come unless the falling
away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who
opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped,
so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Do
you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And
now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For
the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will
do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be
revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy
with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is according
to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all
unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the
love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send
them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be
condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” Did
not my apostle Paul say that in time of his weaknesses, the only consequence
that he witnessed was seeing the power of God coming to strengthen him? Did not
Paul also testify that he took pleasure in his weaknesses? Is it possible for a
man to take pleasure in anything when he is only expecting for dread to come?
Did I afflict Paul with sickness, or with condemnation, or with any kind of
disappointment when he asked for my strength? Would a loving father give a
stone to his son when he asks for bread? Dread is only fulfilled in those who
believe dread is coming, while good comes to those who believe that I will
perform my words for them. Is it not also written that I said that if you would
pray for each others faults, then I would come and heal each one of you of your
faults? So what do you believe; would I bring healing or would I bring
condemnation on those who believe my words and confess their faults? For by
reason of these bullying dreads, many are intimidated into believing that they
should keep their faults hidden in the darkness of their hearts for fear that
condemnation or evil will come upon them. II
Corinthians 12:9,10 NKJ “And
He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made
perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my
infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take
pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in
distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” James
5:16 “Confess
your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” It
is only these spirits of Dread that would keep a man oppressed with blindness
so that he is not able to believe or see into the grace of my Father’s love.
Those who are oppressed with this darkness are never able to see themselves
worthy to receive any of Father’s goodness, or faithfulness, or blessings, or
kindness, or love, or to be the recipient of any of his wonderful works because
they only expect for evil to come. Do not let the spirits of Dread keep you in
bondage to their filthy fears. I have come to set you free. Did I not move
freely, and eat, and drink with sinners, with drunkards, with outcasts, with
tax collectors, and with prostitutes? Did my Father bring any evil consequences
on me for showing his mercy and spreading his love? To those who look for evil,
evil they will find them; those who look for good, God will find them. Let not
these dreadful spirits deceive you into believing that God renders consequences
to you for your evil deeds, for God renders good for evil. And do not let any
of these spirits of Dread deceive you into looking for any kind of evil
consequence to come from above; for that which comes from above is love, and
love never thinks to do any evil. Take heed what you choose to believe about
God, that it is not that which any of these spirits of Dread would have you to
believe. Also take heed to whose words you choose to believe, lest the same
terrifying fear and dread that these demons have of God also become the fear
and dread that makes you terrified of God. That which you believe will surely
become your truth and your reality. As a man believes, so let it be done unto
him; either the truth of Father’s love or the consequences of fear and dread.
Job
42:7,8 NIV After
the LORD had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I
am angry with you
and your two friends, because
you have not spoken of me what is right,
as my servant Job has. So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my
servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will
pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to
your folly. You
have not spoken of me what is right,
as my servant Job has.” James
2:19 AMP “You
believe that God is one; you do well. So do the demons believe and shudder [in
terror and horror such as make a man's hair stand on end and contract the
surface of his skin]!” When
the Lord finished speaking these words to me, the spirit of the Lord brought
back into my remembrance an instance that happened about 15 years ago
concerning my father-n-law. My wife had gotten a phone call whereby she was
informed that her dad had just been admitted to the hospital in very serious
condition. Before my wife left to drive the 75 miles to that hospital, she
prayed and acknowledged the Lord and asked for him to direct her. The Lord
spoke to her and said, “Do not fear their fears or dread their dreads.”
This was the first time that the Lord had ever spoken anything to either my
wife or I concerning any fears or dreads, and we did not even know at that
moment that the word of this instruction was also scriptural. My wife arrived
at the hospital and several of her aunts and uncles were there, and they all,
including the doctors that were also there, were filled with nothing but fears
and dreads about my father-in-law’s condition. In fact, every word that my
wife heard spoken in that hospital room was filled with nothing fear and dread;
so much so that she also began to be overcome by their words, and she began to
fearfully dread what her father’s outcome might be. But then the Spirit of
the Lord brought back into her remembrance the word that had been spoken to
her, and she went down to the hospital chapel and began to pray. She just asked
the Lord to help her not to believe any more of these fears and dreads, and to
deliver her from the fears and dreads that she had begun to believe. The Lord
came to her and took away from her all of these fears and the dreads, and then
filled her with his peace; that peace that passes all understanding. He calmed
the storm of fears and dreads that had been strongly blowing in the thoughts of
her mind. After this, she went back to her father’s room, and she said that
she then felt like a complete stranger or alien there because she no longer
being affected, or afflicted, by
any of the fears or dreads that were being spoken there. To make a long story
short, contrary to the words that these spirits of fear had been prophesying
about the future health of my father-in-law, none of the came to pass because
he recovered and was soon discharged from the hospital and went home. Proverbs
18:21 “Death and
life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its
fruit.” II
Timothy 4:18 NASB “The
Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His
heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” One
thing that we have observed in other instances is that when the Lord delivers
you from these fears or dreads, then those that are still subject to these
unclean spirits do not know how to interpret you in the times that distress
men; that is, they cannot understand why you are not worried or stressed out as
they are. In fact, some have even gotten angry because this peace of God is so
alien and strange to them that this peace of mind appears to them as if you do
not care. We have certainly been the recipient of some evil looks that tried to
intimidate us into believing their fears and dreads; looks that greatly
resembled the countenance I saw on the face of these spirits of Dread that
appeared as these intimidating bulldogs. I now know that these are those
intimidating spirits of Dread that would bullying us into believing that it is
impossible for God to do any good in the situations and circumstances of life
that daily confront us. Satan would only have us to focus on the evil that his
spirits of Dread prophesy unto us, always trying to take the love and the
goodness of Abba, Father out of the outcome. Philippians
3:2,3 NASB “Beware
of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision, for
we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in
Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.” The
Lord then opened my eyes to see what these spirits of dread were guarding.
Right there in the middle of the courtyard was this eerie and frightful looking
entrance into the castle dungeon. Then almost immediately I found myself down
inside this dungeon; and I also became aware that what I seeing was also what
was in the deep places of my heart.
I then thought, “Who should be afraid to see what is exists the depths
of his own heart?” But once my
eyes adjusted to where I could begin to see, what I saw was not desirable, and
certainly nothing that should be accounted as the treasures of my heart. The
first thing that I became aware of was that this dungeon appeared to have ever
been cleansed in any manner, and the stench from the smell there was
unbearable. I then saw that in the middle of the room what appeared to be a
giant pile of dung, but after some observation I realized that what appeared as
dung was nothing but a shapeless spirit of Darkness. I was really surprised to
find that I was not at all frightened by what I was seeing. I then observed as
several of the spirits that I had previously seen haunting the castle coming
flying into the dungeon in the same manner that bats return to their caves when
the light comes. I then observed several other spirits departing from the
dungeon just as bats depart from a cave when night falls, and I knew that they
were going to haunt the castle with some worries, or anxieties, or whatever it
might take to trouble and torment a man in his thoughts. I saw that when these
spirits returned to the dungeon, they would fly straight over to and land on
this giant spirit of Darkness; and then it was as if they would be absorbed
into that spirit. The spirits that I saw departing from the dungeon, they all
came out from this giant spirit also. It was as if this spirit was the mother
ship or something like that. I do not know how I knew, but I was able to
discern at that moment that this giant spirit was not actually one big spirit,
but rather a mass of many, many small spirits in one big mass. It was like when
Jesus asked that unclean spirit what his name was, and he answered saying,
“Legion; for we are many”. I
Corinthians 4:5 NASB “Therefore
do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes
who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the
motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from
God.” Nahum
1:11-13 “There
is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the LORD, a wicked
counsellor. Thus saith the LORD; Though they be quiet, and likewise many, yet
thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through. Though I have
afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more. For now will I break his yoke from
off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder.” I
then discerned that it was from this dungeon that all these unclean spirits
received their power to deceive: to make the darkness to appear as the light;
to make the ways of death seem like the right way; to make lies to appear as
the truth; to make evil to appear as good; to make the works of iniquity to
appear as the righteousness of God; and to even make the miseries of death (the
carnal mind) to be an acceptable form of life. I observed that these spirits
would go in and out of this dungeon as the circumstances and situations
changed. For example, I saw that the fear of heights could only haunt the
castle of man’s heart when that man that believed it’s counsel was in a
high place; but once that man’s feet were back on the ground, (so to speak)
then that spirit of fear would return to the dungeon and remain quiet there
until the circumstance would arise again that would allow for it to return to
haunt the castle some more. I saw that this was the way it was with all of
these unclean spirits of fear, that they all remained quiet in the dungeon
until the right situation or circumstance arose that would allow for them to
come forth to torment and trouble a man in his imaginations. This is the hidden
place of darkness, that place in the heart that no man is able to look into;
the place that only the light of God is able to see into. Genesis
6:5 NASB “Then
the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every
intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Wow!
Talk about a haunted castle; I saw so many types of fears that I wondered if
there was any circumstance or situation that a man could face where he would
not encounter at least one or more of these fears coming forth to trouble and
torment him with some kind of dread, or anxiety, or uncertainty, or worry. Then
the Lord said, “Do you believe me now? Do you believe me when I say to you
that your thoughts are not my thoughts? Do you think for one moment that I
would allow for any of these filthy, vile spirits to enter into my thinking to
torment and haunt me? In this fallen world of darkness, death rules over the
carnal thoughts of men through deceit. Death only rules in the darkness where
fears and dreads are believed on to be right and true; for death is the reality
of darkness. It is not possible for any of these thoughts to dwell in my
kingdom because the darkness cannot dwell where the where the light of life
reigns; neither now, or forever. Can death reign with life?” says the Lord. Isaiah
55:7,8 NIV "For
my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my
ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah
65:2 “I have
spread out my hands all day long to a rebellious (will not listen or trust)
people, which walk in a way that is not good, after their own thoughts.” Proverbs
8:36 “But he
that sinneth against me wronged his own soul; for all that hate me (the
wisdom of life) love death (the carnal mind).” As
I sat meditating on all that I had seen and heard in this vision, the Spirit of
the Lord again brought into my remembrance that which the Lord had said to me,
that the treasures in a man’s heart consist of those things that he believes
and trusts to be right and true. Then I suddenly realized that the dungeon that
I had seen was also the treasury of my own heart; and that it was I who had
allowed for these vile and unclean to dwell within me. I had been treasuring
these lies to be right and true, whether I was doing this consciously or
unconsciously I do not know, but
now the Lord had surely brought them into the light. I saw clearly how I could
make myself to be one with anyone of these unclean spirits when I had bowed my
heart to agree that their instructions were right counsels for me to live
according to. I saw that I was so accustomed to living my life with worry and
anxiety that I was blind to see that I was doing any evil by following their
counsels. I was in bondage to a bondage that I could not see. For the first
time since the Lord had called me, I began to realize the magnitude of the
bondage that a carnally minded man, whether a Christian or not, is captive to
when these fears and dreads are the thoughts that he thinks upon. Truly,
nothing can have any power over our thinking except that which we first believe
to be right and true. Romans
6:16,17 NKJ “Do
you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that
one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience
leading to righteousness?” I
was still meditating on this when the Lord spoke and said, “Mitt, do you want
to see how well Satan has deceived you?” Yes, Lord, please show me if that is
what it is going to set me free all of these troubling fears and dread. Then
the Lord asked, “Who is guarding and defending the treasures in your castle;
the fears and the dreads that dwell in your heart?” With a sudden shock of
realization, and feeling extremely foolish, I answered, “I suppose I am,
Lord”. Then the Lord said, “Well, this is how well Satan has deceived you,
in that he has you guarding and defending the very fears and dread that have
been oppressing you. Never forget that I have told you that nothing could have
power over you unless you first believe it to be right and true. Neither Satan
or any of these haunting spirits could have power to take the castle of your
heart by force. It is for this reason that they disguise their words so that
they appear as counsels that can be received to help or to guide you.
Otherwise, they could not gain entrance into the treasury of your heart or make
your mind their dwelling place. Neither Satan, nor any of these spirits of fear
and dread, have any power of themselves, but they receive power the moment
their words are received and believed. Then once they have gained entrance,
they go to work to haunt a man in his thoughts with anxiety, confusion, worry,
loneliness, uncertainty, strife, unforgiveness, bitterness, stress, hatred,
depression, envy, and every other miserable thought that robs you of peace and
life that I created man to be partakers of. I have given you power that the
world does not have, and that is the power not to choose not believe that which
seeks to oppress you. If you do not choose to use this power, then the forces
of darkness will laugh and mock at you when they deceive you with the lies that
haunt you. Would you account a man to be wise or to be foolish who defends and
protects the very counsels that torment and oppress him?” Jeremiah
4:14 “O
Jerusalem, wash the evil from your heart and be saved. How long will you harbor
wicked thoughts?” Isaiah
53:13,14 NKJ “All
your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your
children. In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from
oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near
you.” Revelation
2:20,21 NASB “Behold,
I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I
will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes I
will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat
down with My Father on His throne. Malachi
3:9-11 NASB “You
are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you! Bring
the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and
test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you
the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. Then
I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of
the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes,” says the LORD
of hosts. I
Am the Lord your God; and I alone am to be worshipped and served. How can you
call me Lord and then bow your knee to serve the counsels of these unclean
spirits of fear and dread? My love is jealous for you, and my love yearns for
you to allow for me to cast out these lying spirits that oppress and haunt you.
I am asking you to trust me, to open your heart to me, to allow for me to come
in. I am asking not to surrender your heart any longer to any of these fears
and dreads, to account any of their lies to be right or true. I am here to
cleanse and sanctify this haunted castle, to cast out all of these filthy and
unclean spirits. I am here to tear down this haunted castle, this temple full
of unclean and false idols. I am here to tear down this temple that has been
built on the lies that you have believed. I am here to build me a glorious
temple that I will fill with all of the riches of life. I have given to you the
power that enables you to choose what you are going to believe. Will you choose
me? Will you have the righteousness of my love to rule over your heart and
mind, or will you continue to choose to allow these fears and dreads to be the
righteousness that you live by? Will you have peace or will you have torment to
rule in your heart? As Darkness cannot have any fellowship with light, so
neither can death have any fellowship with life. So I give to you this day a
choice between the life and death, blessing and cursing. You choose who you are
going to open the door of your heart to believe, whether it be to my love that
loves you, or to the fears and dreads that oppress and haunt you.
Romans
6:16 NKJ “Do you
not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that
one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of
obedience leading to righteousness?” Hebrews
9:14 NASB “How
much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered
Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to
serve the living God?” I
Samuel 12:20 “Fear
not; though you
have done all of this wickedness, see that you do not turn aside from serving
the Lord with all your heart.” Psalm
127:1 NASB “Unless
the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD
guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain.” II
Timothy 1:7 For
God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and
of a sound mind. I
John 4:8 “Whoever
does not love does not know God, because God is love.” Then
the Spirit of the Lord quickened to me that which is written in I
Samuel 16:7 NAS “But
the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of
his stature because I have rejected him; for
God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but
the LORD looks at the heart.”
With
this word, I knew that it would be vain for me to try and discern the fears of
my own heart, as though I could prove to God that I am able to cast out these
fears and dreads that have been haunting me. So I surrendered to the Lord, and
simply stood before the Lord and acknowledged to him that I choose life and
blessings. “Lord, is really that simple, that all that you are asking for me
to do is to choose?“ Then I asked for him to come in and do whatever he
needed to do so that life and peace would rule over my heart and mind. This was
a really easy choice for me to make seeing that left alone to myself, I freely
chosen to allow many fears and dreads to enter into the treasury of my heart; I
had chosen my own poison to haunt me. If that was not shameful enough for me to
see, then seeing that I was also allowing for my pride to defend and protect my
own poison was doubly foolish. Surely, the wisdom of man is foolishness in the
sight of God. Psalm
139:23 “Search
me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts.” For More Information: Mitt Jeffords |
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