Deliver Us From Evil
As I look around the world, I see wars, corrupt politicians, disasters, and the tearing down of faith, family, and freedom values. Everywhere we go now we see and hear of division, hatred, and strife. What do we do? How do we cope? Lately, I’ve been praying or “eating” the fruit of the Holy Spirit and have been very blessed. I hope you will find encouragement knowing that God is everything that you need right now to deliver you from evil. Matthew 6:13
My son told me recently about an incident that happened while he was getting his hair cut. A woman and her son came into the shop and she started to act like a “Karen,” (Karen is a pejorative slang term for an obnoxious, angry, entitled, and often racist middle-aged white woman who uses her privilege to get her way or police other people’s behaviors.) She wouldn’t stop behaving badly nor would she leave because she wanted her son to get his hair cut; some role model she was for her son! Eventually, the police were called. Since his haircut was finished, my son didn’t stick around to see what happened with the police. However, it’s unfortunate that this is all too common in our society now.
This is why we need spiritual tools in our tool box so that we can live in the world, but not be of the world. “I [Jesus] do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” John 17:15 One of the ways God keeps us from evil is by giving us the fruit of the Holy Spirit. “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” Galatians 5:22-23
We all have heard and probably memorized these nine fruits. However, one day as I was looking more closely at what each fruit meant, I discovered a whole knew way to pray them. Whatever we are experiencing in the negative, God is the opposite and the Spirit that we need.
When hatred surrounds me - God embraces me with His Spirit of LOVE.
When I’m filled with despair - God lavishes on me His Spirit of JOY.
When conflict breaks my heart - God heals me with His Spirit of PEACE.
When I feel irritable and restless - God calms me with His Spirit of PATIENCE.
When others are mean to me - God offers His Spirit of KINDNESS.
When evil reigns - God displays His Spirit of GOODNESS.
When others betray me - God demonstrates His Spirit of FAITHFULLNESS.
When others are rude to me - God manifests His Spirit of GENTLENESS.
When I’m feeling undisciplined and addicted - God gives me His Spirit of SELF-CONTROL.
May you discern which fruit of His Spirit you are in need of today and begin thanking Him in prayer for that Spirit to manifest in your life. By doing this you will be delivered from evil and be blessed to be a blessing In Jesus Name! Go forth bold, blessed, and brilliant. Thank you for sharing, subscribing, and commenting below.