When I was a kid, my parents watched a show called Dragnet, a police drama featuring officer Joe Friday. “Just the facts, Ma’am,” was a phrase attributed to him because he wanted to get to the heart of the matter. His actual words were, “All we want are the facts, ma’am,” but because the phrase “Just the facts, Ma’am,” was so closely identified with him, his biography ended up with that title.
Fact or fiction?
When it comes to soul-clutter, we need to learn to filter out the lies from the truth.
Make no mistake. The most intense battle we will ever experience is in our minds. It’s vital to know the difference between facts and fiction.
It’s also important to realize you have an enemy
Evil is not just a concept; but there is a real spiritual enemy who wants first and foremost to kill you, and if he can’t do that, he will steal from you and try to destroy you.
Don’t despair, though; because as a child of God, you have a rescuer.
(And if you are not a child of God, do you want to be? Read my post, A Ticket Home, for clear instructions on how to become God’s child.)
Your Part in Spiritual Battle
I like to refer to myself as a warrior princess. Although, I’m God’s daughter, I still must fight. My part as a warrior is to load up my mind with truth.
I must be a student of the Word. I am required to do the work of God.
Faith increases when we hear the Word of God. (See Romans 10:17) When you feel your faith is weak, get into the Word!
The Holy Spirit’s Part in Spiritual Battle
If you have loaded up your spiritual tank with the Word, then when you need it, the Holy’s Spirit’s job is to remind you of what you know.
But He can’t help you if you didn’t give Him anything to bring to your remembrance.
Declare the facts
As I see it, a warrior-princess must examine the thoughts and feelings she has stored in her heart. The times she has failed must be repented over, brought to the feet of Jesus, and left there.
Then as she studies the word, the truths she learns must be imprinted upon her heart and mind. The best way I know to imprint them are declarations.
I have a friend who is a trauma survivor. In order to keep the lies of the enemy at bay, she repeats OUT LOUD truths to herself every day.
Remember, faith comes by hearing. Speaking the truth is an important part of the process.
Before the enemy even tries to lie to you, start your day out with declaring the things you know are true:
- I am valuable. See Luke 12:7
- I am a masterpiece. See Ephesians 2:10
- I am chosen. See 1 Peter 2:9
- I am rewarded for seeking Him. See Hebrews 11:6
- I am never forsaken See Hebrews 13:5
- I have what I need. See Psalm 23:1
- I am redeemed and forgiven. See Colossians 1:14
- I will be complete when I meet Christ. See Philippians 1:6
Be on a fact-finding mission
It is my prayer you start with these and add more as time goes on. The Word has much to say about who we are in Christ. Study the Word for yourself to find out the facts. Yes, even after becoming God’s child, we need help. But He is more than willing to equip us and help us have that rich and satisfying life we spoke of earlier.
Hey! I’m on a journey. I don’t pretend I’m doing all this perfectly. I’m sharing the goals and dreams I have in my heart in this series, “A Rich and Satisfying Life.” This is day fourteen of examining a life free from the clutter of both wrong thoughts, attitudes, expectations, and too-full calendars, as well as physical clutter. You can click here to see all the links to the series.
This series is part of a Write28Days challenge sponsored by Anita Ojeda. The challenge is now over, and I am still working at the goal of writing 28 times on my subject, “A Rich and Satisfying Life.”
All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.
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I’m sharing this post with Grace & Truth, Inspire Me Monday, InstaEncouragments Link-Up, Tell His Story, Recharge Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee, Tune In Thursday
Oh, I needed this today. I have to right up something for someone and I need to report only on the facts. I am going to be repeating this line, “Just the Facts, Ma’am.” Thank you for sharing with Grace & Truth. Maree
Thanks, Maree. You have just reminded us that not only should we dwell on the facts, but we shouldn’t tell more than the facts!
Hope things went well!
I love your quote, a warrior princess must load her mind with facts and all the truths you listed here from Gods word. I also love all of the “I AM” especially I am a masterpiece. Yes!
Yvonne, when I first learned Ephesians 2:10 and the fact I’m a masterpiece; well, I can’t tell you what it did for me! I’m not a mistake or a blunder. My God is making me into something beautiful!
This is so fine, Jerralea. I needed this reminder along with the many Scriptures that tell me…TELL me…just Whose I am and what He thinks of me. Great is Thy faithfulness.
Hi, Linda! Yes, it is so important that we know what God thinks of us because the world sure tells a different story!
Thanks for commenting.
Warrior princess…love it.
Pretty good thing to identify as … a warrior princess!
Thanks for coming by, Ashley!
Wow, soul-clutter indeed. This >”The most intense battle we will ever experience is in our minds. It’s vital to know the difference between facts and fiction.” Is so true. Blessings.
Visiting today from Remember Me Monday #4
And the battle is on-going …. I had a skirmish on Sunday, myself.
Good to see you, Paula!
Well, hello there! Again. I am your neighbor at the Let’s Have Coffee linkup, but I didn’t want you to miss out on it even though I commented earlier this week. So here’s some more love for you…:-)
Thanks for dropping in again, Ashley. I appreciate it!
Soul-clutter can be more damaging than we realize at times. This morning in reading John 1, I again came to realize the person of Jesus, the logos, the living Word. He is life, and light, and truth. May we embrace His Word, and read His Word, every day.
So true, Joanne! I want to kick out the clutter and fill my mind with His Word, the truth!
After reading this, I feel so much more equipped to tackle my day! Thank you for this charge.
I love these reminders of who we are! I constantly have to remind my brain that it’s not the boss of me. 🙂 My thoughts don’t always tell me the truth. But I can trust God to always speak truth (even though my own thoughts can distort his message too at times!).
“Evil is not just a concept”-so true!