The Rules of Engagement

The Rules of Engagement

S hame The spirit of shame produces an internal feeling that we are grossly and unbearably flawed as a person. It seduces us into believing that we are inadequate, bad, and no good. These feelings impede the maximization of potential and the fulfillment of purpose. In some people, it can result in low self-esteem and a poor concept of self. Shame can involve family secrets, personal failures, and poor self-image. It can stem from issues like alco holism, abuse, abortion, bankruptcy, unemployment, or divorce. This weapon is designed to erode the authenticity of who you really are: a person created in the image and likeness of God. Shame brings with it a sense of worth lessness, meaninglessness, depression, compulsive disorders, a deep sense of inferiority, inadequacy, alienation, helplessness, victimization, and isolation. (See 2 Samuel 13:1–2, 14–20.) S in The Hebrew word for sin is chattath , from the root chatta , and in Greek it is hamartia . Both of these words mean “to miss the mark.” They are words that intimate something is off target. As it relates to God’s Law, they mean that one has failed to meet the standard or missed the targeted mark set by God for us. God’s mark or standard is His Law. Therefore sin is the transgression of any of the laws of God. First John 3:4 offers the biblical definition of sin: “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the trans gression of the law.” Sin is the transgression of any of the laws of God. S nares In days of old, snares were trapping devices. They primarily consisted of a noose and were used for capturing animals. In your life a snare is a satanic weapon that you should view as a source of danger or something that causes difficulty in escaping circumstances that are designed to cause your demise. Snares may come as a relationship or habit-forming activities. (See 1 Samuel 18:21–25.)

104