A Biblical Dive in Matthew 11:18–19
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.”
The spirit of religion is an expert fault-finder. The age-old practice of using some truth in a criticism to prove a false narrative is on full display. Yes John the Baptist led a life of fasting but he had no demon driving him but rather Holy Spirit drove his odd lifestyle.
Then Jesus Christ shows up and yes He ate and drank but being of no sin there was no way He would eat or drink to excess. The nasty little lier, the spirit of religion, blends, twists, and perverts truth to fit its perspective and tries to drag us into its deception. If it’s bold enough to attack our Lord then you know it’s coming after us also. Half truths and lies flow from its filthy mouth.
One of the most prolific lies that the spirit of religion espouses is that our old sinful nature is still alive. He points at our misbehavior and our faults as evidence of his accusations but, he is wrong. Holy scripture declares that we are crucified with Christ and no longer live.
Our old nature is dead. Because we live in the same body (our flesh) he easily convinces us that we haven’t changed and that familiarity causes us to believe his disgusting perversion of the Word of God. It’s easy for those lies to take hold because most of us after conversion have the same jobs, same friends, same family, same financial situation, same temperament.
The nuance of being a new creation is stronger than the reality that we dwell in. Given a chance our new creations will flourish and move to the forefront of our everyday experience causing great transformation.
Those lies can be thwarted easily with truth. we have a shield to prevent those fiery darts from landing on our souls. The shield of faith and the breast plate of righteousness is not just a cliche’ it is a most present reality that sometimes gets starved by our lack of agreement.
Through the in-dwelling Spirit of the living God we can get deep revelations about our new creation identity. Agreement with our new creation identity is what fuels transformation. Today let’s push past any doubt, fear, and unbelief and unleash our agreement with what the living, holy Word of God and watch our new creations thrive!!!
Father, I am so grateful that you chose me. I’m thankful that you’ve made me a new creation. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. I know that you have made me righteous and holy and blameless. I know that You have crucified my flesh and it is dead.
I will watch out for lies that are presented to me and I will force myself to believe truth no matter what I see, no matter what I feel, no matter what I hear. I agree with Your Word. I trust You and You alone. Holy Spirit, I will listen and hear Your voice louder and with more clarity. I love the work that You are completing in me. I love You. In Jesus name. Amen.