Every New Year we always heard about the resolution of every individual. They promise to change in their lives. Maybe like; I want to be slim this year, or I will not eat too much rice or something, or I will not be late for my work. There are a lot of new resolutions but after a week or month we forgot everything and we go back again to our lifestyle.
The truth is when we received Jesus as Lord and Savior of life, the old life has gone and the new has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
the old has gone, the new has come!(NIV)
Since we have a relationship with Christ we are a new Creation old life is gone and we are a new person. The only thing we need to do is start living accordingly. As Christian, we have to live a new person and example to all believers or non-believers.
But this year 2021 I would like to share a declaration to overcome our weaknesses. There is a saying to the Christian “speak life”. We have to do what we declare with our lips. And this declaration should be followed by our obedience.
There are times declared the Word of God but we do a different way. We do not obey the tells us.
Today, how do we face New Year victoriously? Everyone wants to be victorious. What are the promises of God from the Bible that we have to keep in mind?
I. SEEK GOD FIRST IN YOUR LIFE.
Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.(NIV)
A. In your decision seek Him first.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.(NIV)
B. In your serving seek Him first.
Matthew 6:24 ESV
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
C. In your giving seek Him first.
Malachi 3:10
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. (NIV)
D. In your mission seek Him first.
Mark 8:36 ESV
“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?”
Matthew 6:21 ESV
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”
II. BREAKING ALL BONDAGE IN OUR LIFE.
Ephesians 4:25-27
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. (NIV)
3 Ways Christians Give the Devil a Foothold in Their Lives
The Bible tells us that we, as children of God, should have nothing to do with the devil. We are to grow strong in the Lord, mature in the faith, and ever-increasing in Christ-likeness. As such, we must make sure never to allow the enemy some room in our lives.
There are some times, however, when we unwittingly give the enemy a foothold from where he can influence our decisions. Think about it.
What's a foothold?
A foothold can be best understood by imagining yourself being chased by a bad person. You run-up to your room and try to close the door, but the person sticks his shoe at the bottom end of the door so you can't close it. That part of his foot that prevents you from closing the door effectively is called a "foothold."
Footholds are very dangerous. It allows thieves and other evil people the chance to threaten you, cause you to fret or panic, throw things at you, and give them an opportunity to eventually break-in.
If footholds allow wicked people to do such things, you can just think of what the devil, persistent as he is, can do when he secures a foothold in your life. Don't allow him!
Effectively closing the door
To help you deny footholds from the enemy, here are some practical things you can do.
1) Forgive
Unforgiveness and bitterness give the devil footholds big enough to pull his body in. Ephesians 4:26-27 tells us,
"Be angry but do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your anger. Do not give place to the devil." (MEV)
Choose to forgive. Don't hold grudges. Release the offenses made against you. Release it all unto the Lord (see Romans 5:17-20).
2) Think of what is right
Thinking of things that are sinful and ungodly also gives the devil a foothold. The saying "an idle mind is the devil's playground" might not be a Bible verse, but it is true.
When our minds are idle, they aren't really idle: they become unprotected fields where any thought can run freely. When our thoughts run wild, we will find ourselves thinking of what is wrong sooner or later. We've got to proactively guard our minds and hearts!
Friends, 1. we are to guard our hearts diligently
(see Proverbs 4:23),
2. take every thought captive and make it obey Christ
(see 2 Corinthians 10:5), and
3. choose to think of what is Godly and pleasing to God
(see Colossians 3:2).
4. We should always meditate on God's Word (see Joshua 1:8);
5 filter what we see, hear, and listen to (see Matthew 6:22-23; 1 John 4:1); and 6 choose to think of what is good:
(Philippians 4:8)
"Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think on these things."
3) Desire what pleases God.
Wrong or ungodly desires don't give the devil a foothold – it gives him control over us! We must keep our desires in check. What we desire always reveals what's in our hearts (see Luke 6:45), and so if we desire what is wrong we've got to deal with our hearts.
We must also remember that whatever we desire tempts us. James 1:14 tell us that "each man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed."
Be careful what you wish for.
