In part one of Finding My Way, we established a few Biblical truths. We acknowledged that God has a destiny for our lives, and so does Satan; both of their destinies are paved by their desires.
John 10:10,
(Satan) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
(Jesus) I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
The Bible paints a very black & white spiritual world in which everything and anything is either on one side or the other. There are two kingdoms; there is God and Satan, light and darkness, evil and good. There is no grey area; you are right now in one of those two kingdoms, rather you believe it or not. Today’s society (the church and the world) loves to create grey areas and label it as “balance” or “tolerance”. It’s so important we come to terms with this truth, that there is no grey area because it’s one thing to believe, or not believe, in God and his hand over our lives, but one of the biggest lies of our times is that Satan, sin, demons, nor does evil exist, and cannot have influence in our lives. We are deceiving ourselves!
The word ‘destiny’ is closely related to the word destination. Even though the word destiny is perceived to be a magical, romanticized word; in reality it’s a very basic term, referring to your future or final destination. We know there to be two separate, eternal destinations that are talked about in the Bible. The first one is a place called Hell/Hades, which is a place of total darkness and torment; a complete separation from God. The second destination is a place called Heaven/Paradise; a place of total peace and perfection, where God abides. These two locations are true destinations in that they are officially the last place we will abide in, forever.
So when we think of our “destinies” we (as human beings) are thinking of our future spouses, careers, homes, families, geography, etc. Whereas, God and Satan are more concerned with our final and eternal destination, Heaven or Hell.
So we have two separate deities (God & Satan), with two separate desires, with two separate destinies (destinations) for our lives. Can you see the arena now? Can you see the battle grounds in which two kingdoms fight for over a single soul? It’s a massive, ongoing, all-out war, everyday over ever man and woman on planet earth.
Now notice that the Bible does not refer God, nor Satan, as movie directors (referring to the puppets on a string) concerning their power to create or influence destinies, but the scriptures refers them both as being Fathers.
- Satan: “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44, Jesus Speaking, NIV)
- God: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” (1 John 3:1, NIV)
A Father plays a specific role in their child’s life. They’re responsible to train the child up; protect them, nourish them, provide for them, and prepare them for their future. In traditional families, the child is to honor their father, and allow their father to guide them when making big, life-changing decisions (like getting married for example). They see their Father as their authority, someone they must obey and respect. The father is the ultimate source of human refuge, wisdom, and advice.
More importantly, you share the same blood as your father. In human terms, you carry your biological father’s genes. In a lot of ways you may look like him, act like him, and have the same little tendencies as him. Genetics play a big role in who you are as an individual. Not only does your Father (parents in general) influence your life through genetics, but also through relationship. You will be around your parents more than anyone else in your childhood (the period of developing self-identity), like a sponge you are soaking in everything that your Father says and does.
Now again, instead of describing them (God and Satan) as two Broadway directors wanting to script your life…we are going to see it through the scriptures eyes; two fathers, who want play the role of authority over your life.
- Spirit of Satan (The devil)
“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:1-2, NKJV).
- Spirit of Jesus
“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you” (Romans 8:11, Paul the Apostle, NKJV).
The Spirit (spiritual) that works in you, or dwells in you, is comparable to the genetics (physical, biological) you receive from your earthly Father and Mother. Their blood (life) lives in you, and with or without your consent, their genetics play a part in who you are as a being.
Life’s destiny is not so much dependent on your circumstances, but on who you are! And who you, spiritually speaking, can only be determined by your Father (God or Satan). I hope this is making sense for everyone.
Believe it or not I still have not touched on my main topic, Finding My Way. This is all building up to the main message I want to share with you, but I have to first lay down some critical foundations.
This is what we learned…
- There is no grey area; there is only the kingdom of light (God) and the kingdom of darkness (the devil). Right now, you are in one of those two kingdoms
- The word “destiny” is connected to the word destination. We know that God and Satan has two separate desires and destinations for our lives.
- The Bible refers to both God and Satan as Fathers. An earthly Father’s role and responsibility for his child helps us understand what role God or Satan plays in our lives (according to who we choose to call Dad).
Next week we will continue this message, Finding My Way, but we hope so far the message has been encouraging, uplifting, and impactful. To be able to call God “Father,” receive His Son Jesus for Salvation, and be filled with His Spirit is God’s primary plan for your life. How we (Christians) find our way towards that relationship and destiny with Christ, is always an incredible, and fascinating journey.
Until next Wednesday… Blessings!
Steph y Ces
Stay tune for part 3…