Most of us upon reading a title like that go directly to the negative, meaning, we believe the directive is toward us individually. While that is certainly part of what we will talk about, the focus of this discussion is that of our eternal enemy – Satan, or as the Book of Revelation refers to him as the accuser of the brethren. Stick with me and by the grace of God we’ll conclude accurately where our daily battle lies. [It will be a great help if the reader has first read my article “Interpretation,” for in it we discuss the importance of discerning the meaning of something we have read in light of what God has said about it elsewhere in His Scripture(s) – or, understand the context in which He is speaking – always looking to the Holy Spirit for direction, Who is the Author of Scripture.]
The bulk of understanding we want to discuss in this teaching is that of what Joyce Meyer has so wonderfully taught on the battlefield of the mind. Let’s first lay the foundation that the devil is the one who spouts accusations like fiery darts into our minds. In that way he brings accusation before God against us. He does not go into Heaven before the Throne of God and make these allegations. He cannot. He is forever banished from Heaven; therefore, he cannot go before God in that way. He accuses us before God by firing those darts into our thought-life. Since we are seated together in the Heavenly places in Christ, and since our bodies are the very Temples of Almighty God, he has access to the Courts of Heaven through our thought-life.
This is why Paul wrote to the Roman church “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” – and, writing to the church at Corinth, he said “we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2Co 3:18). This word “transformed” is from the Greek word metamorphoo, which is where we get the word metamorphosis from. Just like a caterpillar is changed from one state into another – that of a butterfly – so, we are changed into the very image of Christ by looking into the ‘mirror’ of the Word of God. Both Paul and James refer to the Word of God as a “mirror.” I describe it this way: as we read the Word of God – thoughtfully, not casually, or religiously – we are looking in a mirror. One that reflects what (or, who) we can become; and also it reflects back to us the truth about ourselves, what we are truly like, not what we think we are like (can somebody say ‘ouch’?).
These accusations come from the enemy to weigh us down, intended to hinder our progress in that transformation, but also to interrupt (or, even bring to a halt) the assignment each of us has on our lives. Remember this: the devil cannot steal the anointing on our lives, but if he can somehow talk us out of functioning in it the result is the same; nobody gets healed, or hears the Gospel and are saved.
So, the conclusion is this: keeping our minds set on the things of God avails a life of perfect peace (Shalom – nothing missing, nothing broken); “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col 3:2), “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You” (Isa 26:3). Living an agitated life hinders our walk with God, and our effectiveness for the Kingdom – which is the devil’s intent. Plus, living a life always accusing others sets God at odds with us! He hates the sowing of discord among others (Proverbs 6:19 – it would behoove us to make ourselves aware of the other things listed in this section of Scripture and order our conduct accordingly).
The Lord gave me this revelation many years ago: finger pointing and judging others of their faults and shortcomings sets us up to have the necessary grace to avoid such things lifted from us – at least until we repent. So, what are we to do about these accusations? I’m glad you asked. First we must cast down arguments that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God: “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2Co 10:5). [To accomplish this task successfully one must first have the knowledge of God stored in their thinking.] Second, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Php 4:8).
The Lord spoke this to me some time ago: ‘It’s not enough to stop thinking (or, talking) the wrong things, you have to replace it with the right things.’ Which, of course, is His Word! What brought this teaching about? You might ask. We all go through trials. We make mistakes and miss God. The devil capitalizes on those instances and begins his hurling of accusations, intended to get us to quit and give up. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1Jn 1:9). – “The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psa 103:8-12). If you’ve never thought about it, the distance from the east to the west is immeasurable! Be blessed!
