The Power of Agreements

i've been thinking about 'agreements' lately.

the context for this has been the journey that i strongly believe god has been taking me on...to not just live in the kind of faith that only resides in the mind (the "think your way to right living"/behavior mod way)...but to live from the heart...allow it to become more and more alive via great intimacy with jesus...and let that life transform and drive my mind, my will, my emotions, my actions... the intimacy with christ has been so precious and beautiful and deeper than i ever knew possible. and despite the pain that sometimes comes with a journey of the heart, more and more, i'm willing to go where he leads.

and along the way, i've run into some things that i will call 'agreements'.

satan is so smart. he's so cunning...not someone to be underestimated. and he hates you and me...despises the life that we represent...those loved and cherished by god. and i know that he has a whole host of demonic entities to do his dirty work. sometimes they are a part of the crap that happens. but....here's the thing that i've been realizing lately.

satan also needs us.

yikes, i know that sounds crazy but i've been thinking about 'authority' and how much suffering is actually unleashed on earth that is really a result of people. people "agreeing" with satan and all his lies.

think about it. he's whispering constantly..."you are ugly", "you are worthless", "you'll never measure up", "that person is different, hate them"....on and on and on. but all those messages don't mean a thing...unless we AGREE!

that's a crazy amount of authority handed over in a simple decision...to agree!

so i've been thinking about the weight of that. i wonder how much he gets done because of our agreements. our "yes" to his lies and accusations opens such tragic doors...that are meant to keep our hearts from the life they were designed to have...to keep others from life and love as well.

it's ticking me off.

so from now on, i'm starting a new discipline...i'm going to try to remember his hideous nature in those 'whispering' moments...and ask god to help me "disagree" with the accuser.

if he gives me the "you are ugly" one, i'm going to present that to god and agree with HIM...that there is divine beauty in this heart.

if he throws the "you are worthless" fastball, i'm going to give that to god too and declare that my value is securely established in HIS hands.

and on and on and on...

it's a tough thing to do sometimes, but i've got to be honest...i'm just fed up with his crap. and when i decide to be done...i'm done.