If It Walks Like a Duck

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgw1hIcW34k

Surviving the Game ~ Skillet

 

Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. ~ Ephesians 6:11 AMPC

 

You’ve heard the saying, “If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it’s probably a duck.” That’s what was going on in our house last night—except the duck was a spiritual attack. Disguised as multiple physical ailments, our family was under spiritual attack. Like any good attack, a strategic plan was set into motion, but small at first, to slip in under the radar.

 

Over the weekend, Savannah and I felt some discomfort, which slowly got worse as the days progressed. By Wednesday evening, the four of us were having moderate to severe pain. However, like a good deception, we all had completely different issues, and didn’t immediately recognize what was happening.

 

Though I was overwhelmed, after taking a spiritual step back, I saw that we were under attack. Not only did I call doctors and treat physical symptoms, but I also prepared for war. When things feel like a spiritual attack and act like a spiritual attack, then it’s best to don your spiritual armor and prepare for battle.

 

Ephesians 1:3 says that we—believers—have been blessed “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” (NKJV). This includes our redemption, forgiveness, and our being lavished in every kind of wisdom and understanding in Christ, (vv. 7-8). Paul prayed that God would “make [us] intelligent and discerning in knowing [Him] personally,” (Ephesians 1:18 MSG). Intelligence is needed for the physical realm, discernment for the spiritual. We need both because, in Christ, we are spirit beings. “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, … raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,” (Ephesians 2:4,6 NIVUK). Because of His great love for us, God placed us in the heavenly places, blessing us with the victory that is in Christ Jesus, so that by faith, we can overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil, (1 John 5:4).

 

With wisdom, discernment, and your spiritual armor on, the next time that duck walks and quacks into your life, you can say, “I recognize you. Though dressed like a duck, you are defeated, and I have overcome!”

©Heather Potts 2022

Thinner

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened ~ Ephesians 1:17-18 NIV

What’s the difference between obsessed and passionate? Recently, we’ve been battling a lot of spiritual warfare—somethings better disguised though battled before and others new to us. The difference between obsessed and passionate is the driving force behind it.

“Thinner” is what I need to make my waffle batter in order to make cones instead of just waffles. Because the answer came to me in a pre-6am moment, I had to check myself: was Holy Spirit helping me or was it something else? A few weeks ago, I became obsessed—and I mean literally—with our budget. The numbers, details, and nuances consumed my thoughts all afternoon, overnight, and into the next morning. But Holy Spirit finally opened my eyes to see that a spirit of fear and anxiety was driving a need for control, resulting in obsession. I rebuked both the fear and anxiety and reminded them and myself that God had already given me His Spirits of Power, Love, and a Sound and Disciplined Mind. Finally, the anxiety was replaced with peace.

If something has been consuming your thoughts, check the driving force behind it. Has God opened your eyes to something that He wants you to know better and uncover the truth behind? Or is the enemy trying to put his spirits upon you, keeping you spinning in circles? Ask God for a Spirit of wisdom and revelation and to open the eyes of your heart and the answer will be revealed.

©Heather Potts 2016