Silencing the Accuser: Embracing Forgiveness and Faith

Revelation 12:10

1 John 1:9

Psalm 103:12

Ephesians 6:17

Revelation 12:11

Hebrews 10:25

Luke 9:62

Philippians 3:13-14

Hebrews 4:16

With Bishop Ronald K. Powell

Title: Silencing the Accuser: Embracing Forgiveness and Faith

Introduction:

Brothers and sisters, we gather today to confront a persistent adversary, one who seeks to undermine our faith and steal our joy. This adversary is the accuser of the brethren, spoken of in Revelation 12:10: “And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, ‘Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.'”

This accuser, Satan, often uses our past sins and failures as weapons, reminding us of our shortcomings and attempting to convince us that we are unworthy of God’s love and forgiveness. He whispers in our ears, “Remember what you did? How can God possibly forgive you? You are a hypocrite.” These accusations, designed to tear down our faith and weaken our testimony, are a direct assault on the grace and mercy offered to us through Jesus Christ.

The Accuser’s Tactics:

 * Dwelling on Past Sins: Satan delights in bringing up past mistakes, even those we have repented of and for which we have received forgiveness.

 *He wants us to live in a constant state of guilt and shame, preventing us from moving forward in our walk with God.

 * Creating Doubt: He casts doubt on the sincerity of our repentance and the efficacy of God’s forgiveness. “Did God really forgive you?” he asks, sowing seeds of uncertainty.

 * Isolating Us: By making us feel unworthy, he isolates us from the community of believers, where we find support and encouragement. He wants us to believe we are alone in our struggles.

 * Attacking Our Testimony: He seeks to silence our voices, preventing us from sharing our experiences of God’s grace with others. He wants to rob us of the power of our testimony.

Combating the Accuser:

How, then, do we combat these insidious tactics and silence the accuser?

 * Remember God’s Forgiveness:

   * 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

   * Psalm 103:12: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

   * We must hold fast to these promises.

   *God’s forgiveness is complete and absolute. Once we have truly repented, our sins are washed away.

   * We must not allow the accuser to convince us otherwise.

 * Stand on the Word of God:

   * Ephesians 6:17: “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

* The Word of God is our weapon against the accuser’s lies.

 *When he whispers doubts and accusations, we must counter with scripture. Memorize verses that speak of God’s love, forgiveness, and grace.

 * Embrace the Power of the Blood of Jesus:

   * Revelation 12:11: “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.”

   * The blood of Jesus is our ultimate defense against the accuser. It cleanses us from all sin and makes us righteous in God’s sight. We must claim this power and rely on it.

 * Cultivate a Community of Support:

   * Hebrews 10:25: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

   * We need the support of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Share your struggles, pray for one another, and encourage each other.

   *Isolation is a breeding ground for the accuser’s lies.

  *Luke 9:62 is a verse from the Bible where Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

   *This verse emphasizes the importance of commitment and dedication in following God’s path without hesitation or looking back.

      * Philippians 3:13-14: “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

   * God has a purpose for each of us:

   *We must not allow the accuser to keep us chained to our past. Instead, we must focus on the future and the work God has called us to do.

 * Receive the Lords Help:

 * Hebrews 4:16 “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

 * We can go to the Lord with confidence, he wants to help us. We must pray and ask for his assistance in these times of struggle. He will give us the strength to overcome these

attacks.

Friends, let us speak plainly about a dangerous and pervasive force: the lies of the adversary, Satan. Like a subtle poison, these falsehoods seep into our hearts and minds, twisting truth into deception and leading us astray.

What is the cause of our susceptibility to these lies? It is often rooted in our own vulnerabilities:

* Doubt: When we doubt God’s goodness, His promises, or His very existence, we create fertile ground for the seeds of doubt sown by the enemy.
* Pride: When we believe we know better than God, when we elevate our own understanding above His divine wisdom, we become easy prey.
* Fear: Fear of the unknown, fear of suffering, fear of losing control – these anxieties can cloud our judgment and make us vulnerable to false reassurances.
* Desire: The desire for worldly power, possessions, or pleasure can blind us to the true cost of those pursuits, making us susceptible to the tempter’s promises.
* Ignorance: A lack of knowledge of God’s word leaves us defenseless.
And what are the effects of heeding these lies? The consequences are devastating:
* Spiritual Separation: Lies create a chasm between us and God, fracturing our relationship with the divine.
* Moral Decay: Falsehoods erode our moral compass, leading us down paths of sin and corruption.
* Emotional Turmoil: Lies breed anxiety, despair, and a profound sense of emptiness.
* Broken Relationships: Deception undermines trust, shattering bonds with loved ones.
* Eternal Consequences: ultimately, following the lies of satan, can lead to eternal separation from God.

We must be vigilant. We must arm ourselves with the truth of God’s word, seek His guidance through prayer, and surround ourselves with a community of faith. Let us remember the words of scripture, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
Let us choose truth over deception, light over darkness, and God’s unwavering love over the empty promises of the adversary. Amen.

Conclusion:

Brothers and sisters, the accuser of the brethren is a formidable foe, but he is not invincible.

Through the power of God’s Word, the blood of Jesus, and the support of our community, we can silence his accusations and walk in the freedom that Christ has won for us.

Let us remember that God’s love and forgiveness are greater than any sin we have committed.

Let us embrace His grace and live in the confidence of His redemption. Amen.