“Rise up, take your journey, and pass over the valley of the Arnon. Behold, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land; begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle” (Deut. 2:24). The Lord named the names of the kings they were to defeat. You are reading the Word or hearing its message. The sharp, two-edged sword of the Word revealed the enemy in your soul (Hebrews 4:12). The Lord brought a problem to mind and named it. The Lord indicated what to work on next. You have your marching orders.
Since Christ has already defeated the enemy at the cross, run boldly to the throne of grace and ask for help to withstand the enemy. The support is already in hand as you are believing the Helper for it. When you believe God for the sin issue in you and believe God for the better way to live, you have begun to engage in warfare. Your sword of the Spirit is cutting down the lies of the enemy. You are putting on the new man who is like Christ in that area.
What you thought as no big deal is a big deal to God and your soul. You acknowledge the lie and choose to believe God. You believe that faith in God’s truth is the victory. Satan is a liar, and you have triumphed over the scheme of the enemy to keep you from God’s best.
The Word has shined the spotlight into the dark corner, revealing the hidden shameful thought. You confess the truth and the deed is done. Light floods the place and you surrender it to the Lord. Jesus takes up residence within. His territory has been enlarged by the truth. The mind has been renewed in this area. You believed, you spoke, and God fought.
Engage it in battle. Jacob wrestled all night long until the angel touched his hip and weakened it. You are the problem. That is difficult to believe, so you may have to wrestle with the truth until it dawns on you with all its glorious simplicity: it is already defeated and God has something better for you.
Each new truth the Spirit imprints on the heart is not the beginning of the possession. No; when you believe and respond, you begin to possess. When you respond, God is working through you to will and to do for His good purpose. When you move against the idol, you give God permission to move through you. God is a gentleman. He moves when you do, when you are ready to tackle that area of life.
