Girlfriends in God - Nov. 9, 2007

 

Not Guilty

Sharon Jaynes

 

Today's Truth

“And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Counselor, to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth” (John 14:15).

 

Friend to Friend

During Jesus’ last supper discourse, He reassured the disciples that He would not leave them as orphans. “And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Counselor, to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth” (John 14:15).  The Greek word which is also translated Helper (NASB) and Comforter (KJV), is parakletos and means a “person summoned to one’s aid.”[i] Originally it was a term used in a court of justice to denote a legal assistant, counsel for the defense, an advocate; then, generally, one who pleas another’s cause, an intercessor, an advocate. [ii]

 

I love the image of being in a court of law because I have come to see Satan as the accuser (Revelation 12:10).  He points His gnarly finger in our faces and says things like, “You aren’t a very good Christian,” “Jesus doesn’t really love you,” “You were a mistake when you were born,” “You’ve really blown it this time,”  “What makes you any different now than before you accepted Christ,”  “I don’t see much fruit in your life,”  “You’re a pitiful excuse as a wife, as a mother, as a child of God,” etc.

 

Now tell me, have you ever heard any of those statements before.  Perhaps you’ve always assumed these were your own musings. That’s exactly what Satan would have you believe.  However, I believe those accusatory statements are words from Satan that he whispers in our ears.  It sounds like us, it feels like us, but it’s from the accuser himself. It is always amazing to me that while I might have trouble hearing God’s voice, Satan’s usually comes through loud and clear.  Why, we even think they are our thoughts.

 

On the other hand, the Holy Spirit is our counselor, our attorney, who comes along side us and repeats, “Not guilty!  Not guilty!  Not guilty!” He says, “No jail time!  You, my child, have been set free!”

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Let's Pray

Dear Lord, there are many days when I feel guilty.  I know now that it is Satan who tries to make me feel guilty and whispers accusing thoughts into my head.  Thank you that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sin so that I can walk in freedom and live for eternity in heaven with You.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

Now it's Your Turn

Do you feel guilty because of past sin?

 

Have you asked God to forgive you for those mistakes?

 

Have you accepted God’s forgiveness or are you listening to the lies of Satan that continue to convict you?

 

To whom do you need to listen - God who says you are forgiven and set free or Satan who says that you are guilty and don’t deserve to be happy?

 

*All Bible references are taken from the NIV unless otherwise noted.

 

For more on today’s topic seeBecoming a Woman who Listens to Godby Sharon Jaynes

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