Embracing Accusation

Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. The LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?” ~Zechariah 3

Satan is a fantastic preacher.

No typo there. I mean it. The only problem is he "forgets" to preach the rest of the sermon.

Listen, how many times have we heard…

*You are a filthy so-and-so.

*That's scriptural. But here's the other half of the sermon...

Zechariah 3:3-5, Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.”

*Your life is such a mess.

*Maybe it is. But that's okay because...

Romans 3:22-24, For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

*God sees every. one. of. your. sins.

*Thank God He does. He knows where to put them, and it's not in our face every five minutes.

2 Samuel 12:12-14, David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD." And Nathan said to David, "The LORD also has put away your sin.”

*Anxiety. Anxiety. Anxiety. Consumes you.

*How convenient to leave off the other half of this verse...

Psalm 94:19, When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. And when I was burdened with worries, you comforted me and made me feel secure.

*You are unfaithful, scandalous, dirty…

*Sin does stain. But God beckons us and says...

Isaiah 1:18, “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

*You’re worthless and you’ll never overcome this.

*He's right...we won't overcome anything. Unless....

John 15:4-6, I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

The enemy is a fantastic preacher. Fantastic. It's so easy to believe accusations he berates us with 24/7 till they run like hamsters in our mind's wheel. That is why it's so vital we read, memorize and mediate on the Word. The Word is powerful. Living. Sharper than anything Satan can preach to us. As we abide in the Word, it will spread and flourish within us (Acts 12). The Word alone {not Satan} {not others} {not even ourselves} has the right to judge our thoughts and attitudes of our heart (Hebrews 4). Next time the enemy preaches you a sermon, preach the Word back, for...

The Word is flawless (Proverbs 3)

The Word is living (Hebrews 4)

The Word is Jesus! (John 1)

Get ready for a treat with Shane & Shane's Embracing Accusation {plus, there's a bit by Piper!}