15 Days of Supernatural EncountersParaugs

Day 5: Break Free from Brainwashing

Know:

In every Kingdom journey, there will be multiple moments of decision in which we must face the truth.

This is hard to do sometimes. It can be hard because:

• Decisions can be hard; or
• We may have to deny our flesh; or
• We don't want to disappoint other people.

But ...

Truth can be hard because, occasionally, we much prefer the lie.

• We prefer lies that tell us everything is just fine.
• We prefer lies that tell us that we don't have to change; God's got it covered, with no action on our part.
• We even prefer lies that tell us we are right--despite God's Word, sound wisdom, and wise counsel all telling us otherwise.

We like lies sometimes ... and this is a very sad thing.

Sometimes we believe lies on the inside, and of course we need to be set free from those lies. We have to believe God’s truth about ourselves and our lives! But also, we have to remember that sometimes people lie to us about things outside our hearts as well. And in order to live and walk in the freedom Christ died to give us, we have to recognize truth in every situation.

Jesus is into truth in every way. He is, after all, THE Truth.

John 14:6 says:

“Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'"

And when Jesus said that, He didn't qualify it. He didn't say He is the Truth only about yourself. He didn't say He is the Truth only about Himself. He simply said He is the Truth.

Since Truth is who Jesus is, it follows that He wants us to walk in full knowledge of the truth about everything. However, if we are to obey God and walk in truth, we can't listen to brainwashing. We can’t allow ourselves to think anything about any situation that doesn’t match God’s Word.

Sadly, sometimes people will lie to you. They will try to deceive and brainwash you. They will try to get you to believe what they want you to believe. They will try to manipulate and control you.

Examples of brainwashing include:

• Your boyfriend tells you he loves you, and that he won't hit you again ... so he wants you to stay with him.
• You are sleeping with someone and you think they are going to marry you, because they keep saying they will ... but they are really just using you for sex.
• People tell you to accept anything you hear from a certain person because, after all, they have XYZ title (or have a show on XYZ TV network). 
• People tell you that God will work it all out and you don't have to do anything. (Hint: If you've been praying a long time and no breakthrough has happened, it's probably because God is waiting for YOU to do something.)
• People tell you that it's not okay to notice if something is wrong with any situation.

Brainwashing can happen in business; in politics; in churches; in friendships; in marriage; and in any other situation you can think of.

But if you want to be free, you can't accept brainwashing. You must see things as they really are.

And sometimes this requires us to take a good, Holy Spirit-inspired look at reality.

Looking at reality isn't hard to do; we just have to be willing. But once we are willing, it's usually pretty easy to see reality--because the Holy Spirit has usually been showing us things for a long time before we ever come around to admitting it. But then, as soon as we surrender to Him enough to open our eyes, the truth stares us in the face.

Sometimes it's the truth about a relationship we need to get rid of today.

Sometimes it's the truth about a boundary we need to put up.

Sometimes it's truth about an action we need to take--without which ain't nothin' gonna change, beloved.

I could probably name a thousand situations that require us to take a good, hard look at truth. But more importantly, I'll bet that you could too.

What truth has been needling at the back of your mind that you haven't wanted to acknowledge lately?

Holy Spirit is all over all of us, and He is the Spirit of Truth. John 16:13 says:

“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come."

Holy Spirit's role is to guide each of us into all truth. He's always on His job, too. Always at work. So what's He telling you?

More importantly, what has He been saying that you haven't been willing to listen to?

Whatever it is, it's time to get serious with God about it today. It's time to stop buying into the devil’s brainwashing, or other people’s brainwashing, or culture’s brainwashing. It's time to follow God, and God alone, so you can be free.

Pray this:

"Heavenly Father, in Jesus' name, thank You for Your Holy Spirit of truth who lives in me.

Father, I confess that I have been sensing the Holy Spirit convicting me about the truth in ______ situation. But I haven't wanted to listen.

Father, please forgive me for shutting off my ears to Your voice. Please forgive me for ignoring You, and for disobeying You.

I choose to obey You now, Father. I choose to listen and admit I hear what You're telling me. I receive Your guidance and correction, and I will follow You now. Please help me to do what You're telling me to do this very day.

Thank You, Father. In Jesus' name, amen."

Listen:

If you're listening to your favorite music streaming service today, listen to the GMWA Women of Worship singing "Order My Steps In Your Word." Pray it back to Father God, and ask Him to help you submit to His correction and guidance in your life.