Heart Tracks - Footholds

"Then you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free." John 8:32

Last week there was a great commemoration of the Normandy Invasion, D-Day as it is remembered in history. That great and terrible event set the stage for the winning of the war in Europe. The allies secured the beaches of Normandy, and from there, launched out to take first France, and then Germany, totally defeating Germany and her allies. It reflected a strategy used not only in Europe, but throughout the island war in the Pacific as well; secure a beachhead, and from there, move out and conquer all of that island or region. That same strategy is the one that the enemy, satan, uses against you and me. He establishes a foothold in our minds, and gradually moves out from that foothold until he has constructed a stronghold there that effects every part of our being; mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and even physically. That foothold is some lie, about God, the church, others, ourselves. A lie that he begins to convince us is the truth, and as he does so, he moves out from his foothold, his beachhead, until he has secured a place of power in our lives. We believe a lie, and in doing so, give him victory over us through that foothold that has become his stronghold.

This strategy of the enemy is an old but devastatingly effective one. It often begins in us at a very young age. Through the hurtful words and actions of others, even those who should love us most and best. These lies are then reinforced by institutions, peer groups, and our own thought life. They can be footholds that are openly destructive and meant to tear down, but they can also be subtle, and seem to flatter and build up, but end being just as destructive because they too are built upon a lie. They seek to convince that we are not good enough, or that we're better than everyone else. They begin with a foothold and spread out until they're a stronghold, and every part of our lives is affected and infected by them, most especially, our hearts.

Someone said that the true spiritual battle begins in the mind. Satan always looks to find fertile ground there, and all of us have some to offer him. When he "lands" there, he seeks to establish his foothold. When he's successful, he begins operations to move out and construct a stronghold in our minds that exercise strong influence, even outright control, of all of our lives. We've been "infected," and our need goes beyond the "band-aids" we too often employ. We need spiritual surgery. We need to have the lie(s) we have believed rooted out, eradicated, and replaced by Truth. His Truth. This is the only way for footholds that have turned to strongholds to fall.

How does this happen? We have to begin to soak in His Word. This goes beyond simple reading and memorization of it. It has to become real to us. In John 8, Jesus says we will "know the Truth." Know as in experience it. Know as having intimacy with it. He is Truth, and He is the Word incarnate. We listen to Him through His Word and His Spirit. The lies we have believed about ourselves, God, His people, the world, are replaced by His Truth about all of them. In the wilderness temptation, satan tried to tempt Jesus with twisting what God had said, mixing in a little truth with his great lies. Jesus did not argue with him. He just spoke the Truth of what His Father had spoken. A Truth He knew because of His deep intimacy with Him. He both knew and was the Truth. The devil never got a foothold in Him, but he most likely has in us. If so, Christ, in Himself and His Truth, has given us all we need to break that hold.

What are the lies, disguised as truth, that you've been believing? To what extent have they crippled you in your walk with Him, relationships with others, and view of yourself? How have they hindered your marriage, parenting, ministry? Here's the good news; whatever foothold/stronghold he has established, must fall to the known and realized truth of God. Going to Bible studies that talk about His word won't be enough. His Word must become alive to you, to me, to us all. No lie can stand in the presence of His Word because He is that Word, and in His presence, only Truth can reign. Does it reign today in you? Wherever the "infection" has taken root in you, let His healing Word invade it. Let His Word throw the enemy off of his beachhead, so that every foothold and stronghold falls. Know the Truth. Be set free. Today.

Blessings,
Pastor O