Friday Fight 55 - Deterring or Detaching

Every Friday, when I wake and pray, God places something on my heart to help me fight darkness beginning in our minds. Today is FF55.

How often have we argued with our significant other, family member, or even close friends, and we walk away struggling? We shake our heads in disbelief when they cannot see our side. But who do we blame, and what do we do when we don't understand?

Deterring or Detaching:

We all have arguments or significant disagreements, but what happens to each of us when our arguing goes from a dispute to beating the other person down with our words. What happens when we cannot immediately fix the reason we are arguing? The Bible says not to let the sun go down while still angry, which Paul teaches. One of my Pastors clarified something significant regarding this topic. Not going to bed angry could be choosing to stop devouring the other with our words, taking a break, and walking away. His suggestion was to pray and possibly watch something funny while putting the fight on hold until the next day. Communication has to begin with each of us not blaming others for not understanding our point of view. In our anger, we may say hurtful things to win. When we allow prolonged destructive tones to remain, we leave a door open for Satan to manipulate our relationships.

We give darkness a foothold when we cave to the flesh and speak in anger, separating ourselves from God's best for our lives. Satan will do everything possible to bring suffering. Visualize a dark, heavy blanket being placed over us when we fight in anger. Imagine that under this blanket, among our arguing, one person is using their words to devour while the other is thinking the grass is greener elsewhere. This blanket is made of false weight, smothering us with lies. The enemy’s goal is to deceive, divide and destroy.

Be mindful that our relationships should reflect the love of God. Take time to communicate, build up others according to their needs, and speak in ways that foster forgiveness and grace. Let's posture ourselves so that our communication is deterring the attempted destruction of darkness rather than detaching ourselves from those we love. We are coheirs of Christ and should uplift those we value. Let's communicate the same love we receive from Christ.

Pastor Shannon

New Life Calvert