The Rules of Engagement

The Rules of Engagement

O bsession An obsession is a compulsive fixation upon an idea, emotion, or person. Obsessions are open doors to some of the most heinous crimes and twisted activities. (See 2 Samuel 13:1–2, 11–12, 14.) O ffenses Offenses are used by Satan to cause you to transgress based on your displea sure, anger, or resentment of someone’s action displayed or words spoken to or against you. When an offense is allowed to remain and fester, the enemy not only uses it to destroy you or the individual, but also this weapon actu ally undermines spiritual authority. Seek to love the Word of God, especially Scripture that speaks about forgiveness and love. The following two passages from the Bible will inoculate you to the effects of this weapon: Psalm 119:165 and Luke 17:1–10. O ppression According to Proverbs 28:3, this weapon is like a “sweeping rain which leaveth no food.” It totally ravishes the soul and leaves it wanting as it steals your dignity and quality of life. Thank God that He “anointed Jesus of Naza reth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him” (Acts 10:38, see also Ezekiel 22:29). O vert O perations There are times when Satan’s attack upon you requires a less-than-obvious tactic. Equally, there are other times when his attack is “in your face” and obvious. This is what I call an overt attack. It is bold and brazen, and Satan definitely wants to get the glory. (See 1 Samuel 30:1–8.) P eer P ressure Peer pressure is the external pressure exerted upon an individual by colleagues, friends, and associates that psychologically affects them, causing them to fundamentally conform to a specific code of conduct, mind-set, and basic way of living. Peer pressure makes you live by the standards of man

98

Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker