Rope ... How easily will you be entangled?

… How in the world do you think it’s possible in broad daylight to enter the house of an awake, able-bodied man and walk off with his possessions unless you tie him up first? Tie him up, though, and you can clean him out.
Matthew 12:22-29 The Message

As I read this passage a few things occurred to me ... take a look at some of the key words:

Broad daylight = nothing hidden / open before the Lord-a Christ follower
Enter the house = invited in, not a break in, possibly weak boundaries
Awake, able bodied = alert and capable
Walk off with = no resistance
Tie him up = distract, bind, confuse
Clean him out = empty, desolate

What thoughts or actions does satan present to you? Ever thought of these things like a rope he’s handing you so you’ll get all tied up? Then when you’re tangled, he can just walk in and remove your treasures. Treasures such as peace, wisdom, strength, that intimate connection you once felt with the lover of your soul …

So what’s your rope?
- fear of the future?
- financial irresponsibility?
- failing health?
- family discord?
- failed intimacy or friendships?

What tangles your emotions, confuses your mind or consumes your time? Do you hold your hands out, willingly accepting the rope satan wants to hand you only to later realize you were distracted, confused and allowed the treasures within you to be emptied?

CONCLUSION:
So what’s the remedy? Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Guard your heart, huh? Doesn’t sound too difficult … but, how do we do that?

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) gives specific instructions:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by 2prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, 1present your requests to God. And 3the peace of God, which transcends all understanding; will 4guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

So what action are we supposed to take?
What? 1present requests to God
How? 2by prayer and petition with thanksgiving

What is the result we can expect?
What? 3the peace of God
4a guarded heart

Just as we have walls around the place where we live to protect the life we enjoy inside, so we must protect our inner selves, the heart, which is the wellspring of life. I hope you’ll begin to recognize the rope satan has used to bind you then take a firm stand, refusing to accept it any more!

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:31-32 (NIV)

More of Jesus’ truth can be found in the Holy Bible. Read it for yourself and learn about the most amazing things! Don’t know where to start? Started with the RED letters … the words Jesus spoke, many of which can be found in the first four books of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). As you read with an open heart, prayerfully ask, “God, what would you have me do with this?” You’ll find a completely new life opening up to you!

Many blessings …
Tanja Dufrene

Rope © 2011 Tanja Dufrene