Our walk with Jesus Christ is meant to be relational, not just positional.
The devil and his minions do their best to deceive us by bringing up the past in our minds.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 2nd Corinthians chapter 10:
5 We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One. 6 Since we are armed with such dynamic weaponry, we stand ready to punish any trace of rebellion, as soon as you choose complete obedience.
The enemy’s only weapon is deception and will attempt to get your agreement to pursue and walk in such deception. If he cannot get your agreement, the demon will go look for someone else to deceive. When the enemy sees that our relationship with Christ is strong, their power is gone and will no longer be an issue in our lives. They are no match for those who are led by THE SPIRIT.
It is extremely important to disregard these imaginations immediately. Jesus did not have to think twice when the devil tempted Him. He immediately responded with The Word. In the Garden, Eve did not respond immediately to challenge and disregard the serpent. Instead she regarded what was said.
To disregard means: pay no attention to; ignore. On the other hand, to regard means: consider or think of, give attention to. Once you regard something, you quickly move to passive agreement and this is where the adversary will focus and seize an opportunity to manipulate you.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Ephesians chapter 4:
27 Don’t give the slanderous accuser, the Devil, an opportunity to manipulate you!
Paul also wrote by The Holy Spirit in 2nd Timothy chapter 2:
23 Stay away from all the foolish arguments of the immature, for these disputes will only generate more conflict. 24 For a true servant of our Lord Jesus will not be argumentative but gentle toward all and skilled in helping others see the Truth, having great patience toward the immature. 25 Then with meekness you’ll be able to carefully enlighten those who argue with you so they can see God’s gracious gift of repentance and be brought to the Truth. 26 This will cause them to rediscover themselves and escape from the snare of satan who caught them in his trap so that they would carry out his purposes.
The world is promoting foolish arguments with their flip-flopping of masking, social distancing, and isolation. The only true solution is for the Spiritually mature to rise up and cure those who are sick. When you enter in to the debate, you are simply carrying out the purposes of the adversary. When you see a snare, you don’t get closer to it, you turn around and go the other way.
The devil kills, steals, destroys, enslaves, and promotes deception. Jesus heals, restores, blesses, reveals the Truth, and sets the captives free. How difficult is it to quickly judge the fruit and place the fruit in its proper category? Once we judge the fruit and determine it is from the devil, then we immediately resist him.
James wrote by The Holy Spirit in chapter 4:
7 So then, surrender to God. Stand up to the devil and resist him and he will flee in agony.
This is simple and straightforward so we should not make it difficult and complex. We don’t need another word study or a committee meeting, we should already know what to do. We cannot afford to be lukewarm in our response to vain imaginations and we must give no place to the devil… at any time!
Jesus healed you and me before we were formed in the womb so His healing supersedes any negative report we may currently receive. Which will we regard and give credence?
As we immerse ourselves in The Word and receive the revelations contained therein, we will only regard the Spiritual which is at a higher state than the physical. This is why I must guard my eyes and ears from regarding what the world is spewing out minute by minute. Immersion in The Word is key to living life more abundantly!