The Rules of Engagement

The Rules of Engagement

yes when you really want or should say no (becoming a yes-man), or a total denial of self. But in saying no, deep down inside if you really explore what is going on, you are engaging in activities that invalidate your significance and importance as an individual free to make decisions independent of another’s opinion. Approval-seeking shenanigans will cause you to become a feel-good junky addicted to the affirmation of others and focusing solely on their affirma tions. You let others have their way with you, say whatever they want to you, treat you any way they want, walk all over you, and treat you like a doormat in exchange for a hit of praise. Of course, you love when they call you good, godly, saintly, and angelic. Your personal preference and opinion, critical thinking, purpose, vision, and desires are inconsequential when juxtaposed to another. For you, approval seeking becomes the quintessential definition of degradation, self-betrayal, and self-abuse, destroying authenticity and integrity of self. A rguments Arguments are carnal, self-centered, or demonically instigated verbal conflict, disagreement, or irrational presupposition presented to support an erroneous thought, opinion, or position. This weapon is used to seduce people away from the truth, to avoid responsibility, or as an alibi to cover the truth. Many relationships, ministries, and marriages end up sabotaged, undermined, or destroyed because of this particular weapon. At all costs, a child of God should avoid this kind of controversy because according to Titus 3:9, it is useless and unprofitable. (See also 2 Timothy 2:23.) A ttachments As the word suggests, an attachment is that which Satan uses to maintain alliances and connection to something that is not good for you or has the power to undermine and destroy purpose, potential, and destiny because it facilitates carnality and unrighteousness. Attachments can exist on many levels and can take on many different forms, such as food, people, condi tions, environments, or behaviors. They can exist prior to salvation and long after a person receives the Lord as his or her Savior. A good example of this is contained in the account of Simon the sorcerer in Acts 8:18–24. Even after

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