When Satan Reminds You Of Your Past
Daily Reading: (John 8:44b):
“He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
If you are being impacted negatively by your past, let me be your nurse and ask you some follow-up questions as we have the Great Physician come in and because of His finished work provide you with what you need.
Question #1- What is it that you are believing about your past that should carry any negative thoughts into your present life?
If you were crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20) -here is your Resurrection Sunday reality: Romans 6:4-5: “We therefore were buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be raised to life as He was.” All the things you hate about yourself that you did that are in your past, Jesus took upon himself at the cross. He did away with our old selves.
See yourself as you truly are in Christ which is washed clean, sanctified, justified, righteous, and set apart for the Master’s use (1 Corinthians 6:11, 2 Timothy 2:21, Romans 5:1).
Question #2 Are you trying to become something you already are?
Holiness is not something we are called to do in order to become. it is something we are to do because of what we already are (1 Peter 1:15).
You live from the reality of who Christ has made you to be. Your action doesn’t determine your identity. I could act like a dog- bark and chase cats, eat dog food, but the reality is I am a person. I don’t become more human because I act more human neither do you become holy by acting holy. You are holy because you are in Christ.
Question #3 Who is the One who keeps bringing up your past?
Jesus said there is no truth in the devil (John 8:44).
When he whispers in your ear- “you’ll never make it, you are dumb, you are not loved, you are a failure,” well guess what? That’s not true at all. So, when I hear that little voice - I go well that is the exact opposite of what is true because there is no truth in the devil and I go what does God’s Word say because Jesus is the truth (John 14:6).
Mark Batterson said, “If Satan tries to remind you of your past, remind him of his future … you go to hell” (Matthew 25:41).