DAY 11 with Teresa Ann:
PARTNERSHIP
For a few years a lie began to surface in my life. It was a subtle deception that seemed like the truth; a clarion call of partnering with this false responsibility to maintain my good reputation. I remember being in fear that what I built over a seeming lifetime; one person could destroy it.
Before I go any further, do you see that? It seems incredibly noble, doesn’t it?
Last week the Holy Spirit in HIS hilarious way of teaching me gave me this picture. It was me going around like a crazy person trying to put out the fires of all those that lied about me. Once I put one fire out, I would run to another fire and try to put that one out; and the more I saw the fires; the more I ran in circles so distracted by needing to defend my name until my dear friend Celina was utilized by the Holy Spirit to boldly and with such love, guided me with truth. She said something to the effect, “Teresa, I discern that there has been a partnership with a lie that seems noble, loyal and heroic; but it’s not GOD. It’s demonic and don’t open the door to that. I’ve seen it wreak havoc in some of the most integritable families. They partnered with the lie that said, “Our integrity is ruined” – it was the open door for the lying spirits to flood in.
When she said this, my eyes opened to discern the evil one’s mode of operation is to lay low and whisper worldly “truths” that sound so right as more confusion floods our souls; and this had happened to me without even knowing it. This kind of partnership is rooted in none other than pride. It says it trusts GOD, but then actions reveal our leaning on our own understanding and then we believe the lie that it’s up to us to guard ourselves.
So let us watch the unfolding of the lie be revealed by Truth of WHO GOD IS!
Are you ready?
Holy Spirit, have your way…
In this area, the lies of the enemy look like truth in the form of facts when GOD’s truth is steadfast whether we see it or not.
Here’s a fact, man’s shortcoming of jaded observation:
“Reputation takes a lifetime to build and seconds to destroy.”
GOD’s Truth:
“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. BE HAPPY ABOUT IT! BE VERY GLAD! For a great reward awaits you in heaven.” – Matthew 5:11
LESSON LEARNED:
If our reputation is built on the world’s ideas and ways; that foundation is like sand and it will be washed away by the storms of life. However, when you build your life on and IN HIM; The Solid Rock, when the storms come, you will remain standing because you stand IN HIM; not in and of yourself. It’s the AMAZING GOD principle to Matthew 7:24-27.
LIE EXPOSED WITH GOD’S TRUTH:
The enemy’s tactics are designed to trip up GOD’s children to fall for his lies. One of those common lies is that their reputation they have worked hard for is wiped out in one moment because of false accusations. The enemy knows the passion of what you believe about integrity, character and reputation. The evil one knows he CAN’T tempt some with sexual lust, or anything of that nature – but he can craftily attempt to make people believe the illusion, that false accusations have more power than GOD’s ability to protect and cover.
GOD’S TRUTH REVEALED IN THE MIDST OF THE LIE:
“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that rises up against you in judgement GOD will take care of; for you are the heritage of the servant of the LORD.” – Isaiah 54:17
OUR RESPONSE TO THE FALSE ACCUSATIONS:
We get to keep praising and worshiping as it is a disruptor to the enemies strategies. His whole strategy is to get us to stop praising and worshipping through the hard times because distraction gets our focus; our perspective to be taken off of our Source of Life; Abundant life and that is GOD Himself. GOD has given us the instrument of praise and worship, not because HE is this big headed GOD, but because HE knows this is how we stay “stayed” on HIM. It keeps us in the position of humility knowing WHO has us and to WHOM we belong to.
CONCLUSION:
When we praise and worship GOD, it’s the PARTNERSHIP HE INTENDED and we realize that to “be still” is highly active and powerful. We remember that GOD is truly GOD and then we can’t help but be still. In this stillness we are able to see how GOD fights for us (Exodus 14:14). Being still is not about doing nothing; it’s not about being a doormat…being still is responding to GOD and not the thing that is trying to point us away from the Father…instead we become a welcome mat for the King of Glory to enter in and do what only HE can do! He changes our perspective to see the only thing we were called to do was pray about everything which is the solution to worry and in this our hearts and minds are guarded, not by us, but by the peace of GOD in Christ Jesus…and the GOD of Peace, you will see and experience is already with you! – Philippians 4:6-10
REFLECTION OF THE WORD WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT:
Matthew 5:11; Matthew 7:24-27; Isaiah 54:17; Philippians 4; Proverbs 3:5-6
LET’S TALK:
Reading my brief testimony, it was the goodness of GOD that led me to repentance. Repenting of believing the lie. It wasn’t in the form of feeling bad or less than, instead it was a rejoicing of TURNING FORWARD to GOD and HIS ways.
Did you become aware by the Holy Spirit of a lie that you believed as truth? Can you share and give testimony of how HE just freed you?
This is SO GOOD! I have struggled with feeling like I constantly need to defend myself against what I believe others perceive. Sometimes I try to put out fires that aren’t even there! It is only with pressing into God and focusing on Him that I have learned to take my perceptions and lay them at His feet. Even if my perception is accurate, there’s nothing that I can do.. because it is our Creator who has the final say. Thank you for this much needed message!
Gennessa, I love what you said, “Even if my perception is accurate, there’s nothing I can do…” and I’ll add to that, we have the opportunity to pray and as you said, “because it is our Creator who has the final say.” Thank you for sharing!
This is so good! I love how God exposes everything that was meant for our demise and turns it for our victory. You are blessed for catching the lie and canceling the assignment – all while giving others the same keys for freedom in their lives too. Bless you my dear friend!
This is such an amazing post!!!! Thank you Teresa for sharing! The lie the Holy Spirit revealed to me I had accepted was that I had to share how much I had changed with others who knew me before Christ. The Holy Spirit brought to the surface what was really going on in my heart. In Matthew 6:1 Jesus says; “Be careful not to do you acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them”. This was the scripture that exposed the hidden motive behind the why I was sharing and the sin of pride and self righteousness. I truly believed I had to prove to others I was not the same person I was before Christ. However, this was not the truth. The truth is I don’t have to prove myself to anyone on this earth. God tells me in Micah 6:8 what he requires of me, and that’s to act justly and love mercy, and to walk humbly with HIM? The Holy Spirit is amazing!! Not only did He reveal the sin but I was able to repent because of that lie being exposed.
What I love about this Eboni is how you allowed GOD to reveal those hidden things that you had no idea about. It’s so amazing how the Holy Spirit has revealed HIMSELF through you in such a way that your life demonstrates WHO HE IS. I love you girl and your transparency is amazing!