Mike Sansone

To Love, Live, Learn, and Lauch

The Battle Within

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wolf

I felt his presence again just the other night. It had been awhile. Time was prime for his appearance. I was tired. There was a crowd about us. In a hurry. The person before me was … in a mood. And then, it happened.

A verbal attack thrust upon me. Or so it seemed in my weak state. Calm, yet pointed. And he almost got out. My old self. My prideful self. The one quick to anger and adept with pointed words. On the tip of my tongue he sat, ready to pounce.

The battle on the outside is really a battle within.

The Holy Spirit is always more ready than I. I remembered Psalm 119:165 (no need to be offended). I recalled Prov 13:10 (contention is caused by pride) and Prov 26:20 (no wood, no fire). And 2 Cor 4:17 put things in proper perspective (this problem is lightweight compared). In my mind’s eye and ear, I watched Stephen stoned and heard his last words of forgiveness (Acts 7:60).

My old self was kept at bay. A sincere and courteous parting I offered to my opponent. I departed in victory. Yet, I struggled for a few moments as pride from the victory began to rise up within me. The wrestling match continues (Eph 6:12).

I know that only by the mighty power of God was I able to withstand these so small battle. Only because of the gift of God was I able to bear a good witness. Only because I have access to God through Christ, was I able to confess these innermost thoughts and rest assured that I am cleansed. Victory over the battle within.

Jesus knows. While hanging from the cross, innocent yet punished in the worst of ways. All the while, knowing why and for whom (for you, for me). Blameless. So that He could say, “It is finished,” and be for each who receives His gift, the way and the truth for eternal life with Him (John 14:6). Thank you, Jesus.

Escape: Transportation or Transformation?

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way to escape

A Way to Escape

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1 Cor 10:13

The Bible tells us God is ever faithful and will always see to it that we are not tempted above what we can bear – that with temptation, He will also make a way to escape … so that we can bear whatever temptation we do have before us.

While escape sounds like a transportation, sometimes a change of location is not immediately possible. Might there be other ways of escape?

Rather than an escape of transportation, perhaps an escape of transformation: 

  • By prayer
  • By Bible reading
  • By worship (humming a favorite hymn)
  • By witness (focus on God’s creative work)
  • By working as unto the Lord
  • By fellowship

When in private temptations, I do my best to avoid hiding in the dark but to hide in the light. Get in front of such temptation by being in public places.

And to set my mind on Godly things (Php 4:8).

Other references to escape: Luke 21:36, Heb 2:3

Photo via Pixabay

Reflecting Up

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reflective glass

It is not for modesty — but for Glory’s sake.

If there be any good that come from me, my words or the work of my hands: It is not I, but Christ from within; with the Holy Spirit as my guide.

I’ve found if compliments to me are given, I may receive them for just a bit. Then, rather than reject them, reflecting them upward to the heavenly.

For I know too well who I have been apart from God. I know the (old) man I still wrestle with inside. And, while glad for the praise, I more adore finding ways I can give proper attribution to the One from whom all good gifts come:

To God be the glory, through Christ Jesus, by the Holy Spirit given.

Photo via Pixabay

Giving Benefit of the Doubt Godward

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Worn Bible

Giving Benefit of the Doubt Godward

Scripture, when compared to itself, is without contradiction.
Penned by many men;
Preserved over thousands of years;
Widely accepted as inspired word of God.

When I don’t understand,
or even find myself in doubt
about something within the Bible –
I pray, but more than that:

I give the benefit of my doubt to God
rather than myself and the limits of my knowledge.
To do otherwise, would like eating an apple
from a certain tree and making this choice:

Do I have faith in God to guide me
into good and away from evil,
or do I prefer my own ability
to know the difference apart from God?

I have, at times in my life, questioned
validity and accuracy of the Bible as God’s word.
And while I still have questions of the Bible
I no longer question the Bible. Or God.

And now without doubt of God or His word,
the Bible is become to me more than a book.
It is a guide, a counselor, a mirror, a sage…
The more I read, the more I love each word and page.

Image via Pixabay