Satan is continuously sending situations our way to tempt us to yield to the opposite of love, which is selfishness.
As we study God's Word, we learn what authentic love is and what it is
not. First Corinthians 13 reveals its attributes: “Love suffers long
and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not
puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not
provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in
the truth; love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all
things, endures all things. Love never fails” (vv. 4-8, NKJV).
When we learn to recognize the enemies of love, we become aware
of the devil's strategies. When he tempts us with them, we can quickly
respond: “No, devil! I refuse to do that. It's unloving, and I choose
to walk in love!”
Some people don't realize that resisting temptation is that simple. Notice, I didn't say easy. I said simple. But it is.
Any attitudes or actions opposed to the character of love would be an
enemy of love. Let's look at some of the perpetrators found in 1
Corinthians 13.
There are envy, jealousy, and feelings of discontent because of
other people's advantages, success, possessions, or positions. Then
there is pride, an inflated opinion of one's self evident through
haughty or arrogant behavior. Bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness
are enemies that can literally ruin us if we allow them to fester.
The foremost enemy of love, I believe, is strife.
“Strife” means “vigorous or bitter conflict, discord and antagonism; to quarrel, struggle or clash; competition; rivalry.”
James 3:14-16 tells us clearly, “If ye have bitter envying and
strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. For
where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work”
(KJV).
Strife is devilish. It opens the door for the enemy to bring
confusion and evil into our lives. When you were born again, the Bible
says you were delivered out of the devil's control, out of darkness and
into the kingdom of God's Son (see Col. 1:13). The devil lost his
lordship over you and you received salvation.
Salvation includes all the blessings of God. Peace, healing,
well-being and prosperity belong to you the moment you become a child
of God.
But Satan doesn't want you to enjoy those blessings. He doesn't
want you to be healed, happy, and prosperous because if you are, other
people will notice and want the same quality of life you have. They'll
give their hearts to God because of the goodness of God they see in
your life. That's the purpose of the flow of God's love.
The devil can stop the flow only by tricking you into opening
the door to strife. He brings you an opportunity to have a conflict
with someone because he knows that the moment you step into strife, the
moment love is compromised, he has prevented not only you but also
someone else from walking in the blessings of God.
In every relationship—at home, work, school and church—make the
commitment to keep strife out. Commit to walk in love. If at any moment
you slip up and get into strife, simply make it right.
Say to the other person: “Please forgive me. I love you. I don't want to be in strife with you.”
Then say to the Lord: “Father, I repent of that attitude. I
refuse to yield to strife or to any enemy of love. I choose to walk in
love.”
Keep acting on what you know about love from God's Word. Keep identifying the enemies of love, and you'll continue to mature.
Walk in love. When you do, you will keep your faith strong and
the blessings of God will be continually evident to everyone … for
love never fails!
Gloria Copeland is co-founder and vice president of
Kenneth Copeland Ministries in Fort Worth, Texas. She and her husband,
Kenneth, are known for their teachings on faith, healing and victorious
Christian living. Their daily TV broadcast, Believer's Voice of
Victory, airs globally on more than 300 stations. Gloria is also an
internationally known author whose works include To Know Him and
Blessed Beyond Measure (Harrison House). To read past columns in
Charisma by Gloria Copeland, log on at www.charismamag.com/copeland.
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