Devo 2: Spiritual Violence

This is going to be a different style of devotional than last week. Last week was more teaching and this week is more preaching--I'm definitely more of a preacher. I have something burning on my heart, so buckle your seatbelt and let’s see where this goes…

In our struggle to have victory over sin in our life, so many times we wrestle and fight thinking that we have to do it all on our own. However, one day, I was thinking about the phrase Jesus said concerning the temple “The zeal for the Lord’s house consumes me” (John 2:17). I pictured Jesus in the temple overturning the tables of the tax-collectors, tossing money to the ground, throwing out livestock, and whipping people with a whip.

Then, the thought occurred to me, “Lord, I want to be that zealous for your house—my own body, the temple of the Holy Spirit…” Then, I began to think of Jesus being inside of me, overturning lies, throwing down sin, casting out every idol that is desecrating His temple. A righteous zeal against sin rose up in me that I would not exalt anything in myself above the Name of Jesus Christ. Only He is worthy to be exalted.

When I think about this violence, I think of how Jesus spoke of John the Baptist in Matthew 11, when he said that no greater man was born of a woman until him and that from the days of John the Baptist ‘til now “the kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force…” (Matt. 11:11-12). The manifestation of the kingdom of heaven in us takes a spiritual violence—a constant overturning of wickedness in us on a daily basis.

Confronted with the idea of Jesus’ ministry becoming greater than his, John the Baptist said, “He must increase and I must decrease” (John 3:30). This should be the same in our own lives. It is not a silent, quiet thing however. In Galatians 2:20, Paul says, “I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I, but Christ who lives in me…” He is speaking of our decision to take up the cross and follow Christ, but this is not just a one-time decision. It is a daily (hourly, minutely, etc…) occurrence. When I think of the word “crucify,” it is not a gentle, pleasant thing, but it is the necessary violence we should have in our own lives that nothing would be exalted above the name of Christ in us.

So, practically, how can we apply this? Imagine Jesus inside you going around and knocking over tables, turning over ideas, knocking down idols. What are some of the things He would knock down?

Now that you are overwhelmed--don’t be. Take those things to Him. Say, “Jesus, increase in my life, that I would decrease. Glorify yourself in me that the kingdom of heaven would increase in my life.”

This week, focus yourself for 20 minutes each day before the Lord and ask Him to increase in your life and to be zealous for His house—your body, the temple of the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 6:19-20). Take one issue in your life and each time it confronts you during the week, pause and say, “Lord, give me a righteous zeal against this area. Increase your kingdom in my life.”

Oh, this devotional comes with a disclaimer: DANGER: THIS ACTIVITY WILL KILL YOU! That’s the point.

Blessings,

Amanda

Copyright © 2010, Amanda Rich, All Rights Reserved