Forgiven.

There are many lies that the devil loves to plant in our minds.

These lies sink deep in our hearts if we do not recognize that they are not truth.

We take a strong hold of them and as a result they eat away at us. 

These lies affect a lot more than most of us realize. 

I feel as though we often mistake our problems as being caused by external factors.

But the truth is that the biggest struggles we face come from within.

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12)

One of the biggest lies that Satan uses is that of self-condemnation.
We make a mistake. We do things we know are wrong. We act out of bitterness or anger. We are selfish. We are impatient. The list goes on...
The devil usually does one of two things when we sin:
    He tries to help us justify our actions by twisting or stretching the truth.
OR
     If he knows we know something we did was wrong, he pours shame and condemnation over us telling us         that we messed up too bad this time. We are slaves to sin and there can be no forgiveness or freedom from that.

But either one is a trap. Satan lies. It's what he does best.

Now I'm writing most of this to myself, because I have seen the devil try to spin these tales time and time again, but I'm realizing that I DON'T HAVE TO LISTEN because the truth is this:

"If we confess our sins, [God] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

 The Bible tells us over and over again that God is full of grace and compassion. He is slow to anger and abounding in love. His mercies never end. They begin new every single day! We are forgiven from our past mistakes. There is no reason to dwell on what is no longer there. The present is all we have.

"Forget the former things. Do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." (Isaiah 43:18-19)

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