Dear Cobham Park Church Family,
We all have ongoing thought-conversations that nobody else can hear. This inward whispering shapes who we are and what we do. Most of the time, our private thoughts help us to function rationally and plan for the future. But inward whispers can also go very wrong; I call them “wounding whispers.” Selfish desires often hijack our thoughts to steer us toward things that aren’t good for us (“You deserve another bowl of ice cream!”). The devil can whisper through our thoughts to tempt us (“Why should you forgive her after what she said about you?!”). And wounding whispers can certainly be discouraging.
Last week, I was plagued by wounding whispers in my own head. I don’t know exactly why. Maybe I was just tired, stressed, or not praying as I should. Regardless of the reason, wounding whispers began to get the better of me. I started to believe their accusations and half-truths. I felt myself buckling under the weight of their negativity. Out of desperation, I opened God’s Word. The first verse I came across was Romans 8:1. The Holy Spirit took it from there…
Wounding Whisper: “Well, you messed up, didn’t you? Just look at yourself—what a sorry excuse for a pastor! Why do you even try? You’re a disappointment to God.”
Holy Spirit: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…The Lord Jesus died for you, fully knowing your every weakness and every sin you would ever commit. Nothing can change that! You are forgiven!”
Wounding Whisper: “But look at these other Christians. At least they have it together! Compared to them, you’re a loser.”
Holy Spirit: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…Drop the comparison games. This is about Christ and what He’s done. He is worthy, and you are His! In Him, you are loved more than you know. The price of the cross proves how precious you are to God. You will always be His child!”
Wounding Whisper: “Yes, you used to follow Jesus, but are you even saved now?Just look at your years of sin as a so-called ‘Christian.’ You’ve used up your last ounce of grace. You’re done!”
Holy Spirit: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…You are now free to get up and run to Jesus! You are free to begin again in Him. Sin’s claims on you are broken! God will finish what He started in you!”
Thinking in Christ,
Pastor Keith
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