On January 6, 2014, I wrote this post and titled it, The 4 R’s of Fighting Fiery Darts! Since then I have revised it and following is that revision. I do hope you are reading my blogs on fiery darts along with my book. Someday maybe I will expand that book, to include some of these thoughts that have come to me as I have written these posts. It’s something I’m praying about!
As I have been using this format to pray against fiery darts, I have felt impressed to eliminate one of the steps. The one titled, “repeat”! Actually I began to see it wasn’t necessary, sort of redundant. I really do believe this new 3 step plan is more concise.
1. RECOGNIZE!
So how do we recognize fiery darts? Examine the effect the “suspicious thought” has on you. Does it produce confusion, fear, doubt, anger, inferiority, indecisiveness, jealously, or selfishness, for example? quote from p.33 FD
In other words does it produce condemnation? Do those thoughts leave you feeling worthless, uncertain or burdened with unconsolable grief? That’s the work of condemnation, my dear friend. How do I know that? Read this verse: Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (NIV)
Conviction brings restoration. Jesus has come to bring forgiveness and restoration. Condemnation will not produce abundant life; conviction certainly does. John 10:10, The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (KJV)
2. REJECT
As soon as you determine that the suspicious thought is a fiery dart, then reject it. Remember, by allowing it to remain, the poison of the fiery dart begins seeping into your mind influencing the formation of negative attitudes and actions.
As Barney Fife puts it so eloquently, “Nip it, Nip it, Nip it!” (In the bud, before it takes root!)
3. REPLACE
Wield the power found in initially repeating Isaiah 54:17 immediately, “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper…” (NASB), so as to prevent the fiery dart thought from imbedding itself into your mind.
Finally, replace the fiery dart thought with a verse or thought of the type mentioned in the following verse. Philippines 4:8 “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (NIV)
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