Broken Self-Talk
A Source of Self-Talk – Part 2

Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 4:11-16

Key Verse: 1 Timothy 4:12

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Most of us have read, or at least heard of, the story of a man named Job.  It is clear from the book of the Old Testament that bears his name that Job was a godly man.  His story tells us of the devil and his evil desires for all mankind.  The story also reminds us that God rules all and the devil can only do what God grants permission for him to do.

In these last days we have discussed self-talk and how damaging it can be if it’s full of negative thoughts about ourselves.  The devil is a source of those negative thoughts.  He goes about the earth, with his imps, wreaking havoc in as many people as will let him.  Those without faith in Jesus Christ are subject to the devil’s continual attacks.  For Christ followers, the devil can only do what God deems we can handle.  Our Father monitors our strength with great care!

The evil one loves to plant negative (and evil) thoughts into our minds.  As Christ followers we have God’s Spirit to help us discern that those thoughts are indeed from the evil one.  At that point we have a decision to make: allow these thoughts to stay or deny them power over us in the name of Jesus.  The best way to fight thoughts of the evil one is by quoting scripture—over and over.  The Bible makes us a promise: resist the devil and he will flee” (James 4:7).

Father, I am ready to go to battle today with the evil one.  As he plants his lies in my mind, I will dismiss them by the power of your Word.  In Jesus’ name, amen.