• Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

Do you renounce Satan, and all his works and empty promises?

TheWhat?

Ate all the treats
Jul 3, 2021
1,297
532
SoCal
✟46,435.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
In Relationship
If that doesn't sound familiar, it's from a rite of confirmation and renewal of baptismal promises. I personally believe that the intent of the heart is what matters to God, and even if you can't avoid all negative influences in life, just making sure your heart is in the right place will help see you through. Even when it seems like condemnation is at your doorstep, prayer can work miracles -- even Peter was sifted "as wheat" by the enemy.

The prayer to St. Michael is a famous one, however it is relatively recent in the broader timeline of things, and I would caution because praying for condemnation does not seem to me to be beneficial. One tactic I seem to encounter frequently I would describe as the intent to draw you into judgment, to stand toe-to-toe with satan, which is not a place you want to be, because God is just, and satan was supposedly an arch angel, which in all likelihood, you are not. Also, as the scripture says "Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, 'The Lord rebuke you!'". So if not even Michael condemns, this should be a warning to the rest of us, in my opinion. That said, I'm somewhat eclectic when it comes to christian traditions, and I often modify my prayers in any way I feel compelled to. I also find it beneficial to saturate myself every once in a while in hymns, chants, etc., anything that would drive the enemy mad so to speak.

Do you have a prayer, a routine or anything to help combat harmful spiritual influences in your life?
 

bèlla

❤️
Site Supporter
Jan 16, 2019
22,377
18,927
USA
✟1,072,839.00
Country
United States
Gender
Female
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
In Relationship
Skimming. I read offline. But I skim before reading anything on the Internet. In most instances I don’t read it all unless the topic requires it or the Lord nudges me.

Discrimination. I don’t listen to a lot of teachers or Christian experts. If I want to hear their perspective I’ll read a book. I limit sermons to one source. Being able to pinpoint misinformation is important.

In the same vein, I’m not easily influenced. If someone presents a message or a word, I look for corroboration spiritually. Most of the time when the Lord wants to enlighten me; He tells me Himself or brings it through someone I know and trust. It rarely comes through a stranger and I test it thoroughly for that reason.

I’m mindful of the company I keep and their conversation. Friends rub off on one another. I like edifying relationships.

I don’t share my problems with strangers. I talk to trusted advisors who pray. I know they’re seeking the Lord’s input on my behalf.

I don’t steep my mind in unwholesome stuff. If I watch a program with questionable content there’s a reason behind it. Detecting cultural and spiritual influences is usually the motivation.

I avoid idleness. My activities and interests are beneficial. I don’t fill my day with time wasters.

And I talk to the Lord. It doesn’t have to be prayer. We interact spontaneously.

For the most part, my life is pretty controlled. I’m not exposed to things I don’t want to be bothered with very often. The people I talk to, places I go, and how I spend my time are my choosing.

I’ve opted for calm and purpose. It keeps a lot of things at bay. My days are peaceful with minimal upset.

~bella
 
Upvote 0

friend of

A private in Gods army
Site Supporter
Dec 28, 2016
5,908
4,203
provincial
✟955,257.00
Country
Canada
Gender
Male
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Private
So if not even Michael condemns, this should be a warning to the rest of us, in my opinion.

I believe the reason Michael didn't outright condemn the devil in that instance was because he was simply unaware of God's intentions for Moses' body. Michael didn't want to condemn the devil for carrying out God's will. We've all been there. His ways are higher. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't condemn and censure the devil in our own lives.
 
Reactions: bèlla
Upvote 0

TheWhat?

Ate all the treats
Jul 3, 2021
1,297
532
SoCal
✟46,435.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
In Relationship

You are of course free to disagree, but the context in Jude is the effect of the tongue, slander, a recurring subject in scripture, along with condemnation. If a murderer wants to steal, kill and destroy, the solution is not to be like the murderer, in the case the hammer of God's justice falls.
 
Upvote 0

shineyourlight

Well-Known Member
Mar 6, 2020
1,412
1,886
36
New York
✟78,622.00
Country
United States
Gender
Female
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Single
Do you have a prayer, a routine or anything to help combat harmful spiritual influences in your life?
I make sure not to open up any doors to the enemy. That means what I watch, what I listen to, etc. etc. I also got my apartment blessed before I moved in, because I felt something was off in the spiritual realm when I did the walkthrough.

I want to live a pure life - a life full of integrity.

I also have a prayer for generational curses that I pray over my life, which is in my Bible.
 
Reactions: TheWhat?
Upvote 0