You have a voice, and the enemy doesn’t want you to think that you do. Maybe you have been quiet and reserved around others your whole life and was known as the shy person. Multiple events and happenings led you to reserve back to make it look like that was just who you are.
God called us to be bold. And to speak truth on His behalf.
Last year, God showed me that the enemy tried to make it look like I didn’t have a voice. That it didn’t matter if I had something to say or not. No one would acknowledge it, and it would just sound foolish anyway. So, just keep back, be quiet, and don’t say anything at all.
This can look different for many, depending on the circumstances that you went through that brought you to this point thinking that you didn’t have a voice. Nothing you say would have been of importance anyway. That’s what the devil whispers in your ears.
Don’t Give The Enemy a Seat at Your Table
I just recently joined a small group at my church, and the study we are doing is called “Don’t give the enemy a seat at your table.” By: Louie Giglio. I absolutely recommend this study and book.
I know that God led me to that group specifically, because there are things that He needed to show me and teach me. As a result of what He showed me, He wants me to share this with you.
There is a video that we watch as a group that coincides with the study. Starting on week one, the video was quite impactful, and it revealed many things to me.
Firstly, I know we should not be entertaining or listening to the enemy. That’s a given when you are a Christian, or following Jesus. But, trying to overcome that is not always easy. Especially if you don’t truly know WHO you are in Christ.
There was a comment that this pastor made in the video, and it truly just stuck to me. It was so simple, and, in your face, I don’t know why I didn’t think of it this way before. He said that when he realized he was giving the enemy a seat at his table, it struck him that he was having a conversation with a murderer.
He was having a conversation with a murderer.
Yeah. The devil comes to steal, kill and destroy. John 10:10
Don’t Give the Enemy Power
But, for whatever reason this just clicked in my head. Why am I having a conversation with a killer? Why am I allowing him to take over my thoughts? He wants us to think he has power over us, and that is so far from the truth. My God has power over me, and HE is greater. The devil fears the day you discover who you are in Christ.
That was the first reveal. Then, I was bubbling up with things that I wanted to say in the group discussion. There was SO much that I needed to express, and every single time I went to speak up, someone else started talking right as I was about to let a word out of my mouth. Now, this happened multiple times throughout the night. I was getting so frustrated that I couldn’t speak. I then felt like we were getting pressed for time, and the facilitator was wanting to close out our time for discussion that night.
So, I left there without speaking any of the things that I wanted to say. I was mad, and I was frustrated. I have done quite a few small groups through my church, and this was the very first time I left, and I was mad.
Revelation
That night, God showed me that this was the enemy attempting to squash my voice. Telling me that whatever I had to say didn’t matter anyway. But I just had so much I wanted to say that was just bubbling up inside of me, and I wasn’t given that chance. God gave me those things to say, but He used this as a moment to show me exactly what the enemy had been doing with me. I also realized I was not mad at the women in my group, but it was the devil that I was mad at, because he was the one that orchestrated everyone else to speak, but me. God allowed that. All for good purpose.
God showed me that this had all started with me when I was very young. I was one to always question things. I had thoughts and opinions on things, but my parents would squash what I was saying. They made me feel like anytime I spoke up or questioned something, that I shouldn’t be. That they were the ones that knew everything, and whatever it was that I said was silly. That my voice didn’t matter. Only theirs mattered because they were my parents, they were older, and more knowledgeable than I was.
Control
This was a form of control. It got to the point where they would ask me a simple question like what I wanted to eat, and my answer would always be I don’t know. Then they would get upset at me because that was my answer. Because of all this, I had it in my head I didn’t want to say the wrong answer and get yelled at, so it was just I don’t know.
This followed me into my school years. I was known as the shy one. Oh, you are so quiet. Why don’t you speak up? I had nothing to say because I felt like whatever it was, I could have said would be shot down. The times that I did speak up, I was made to look dumb in front of others, and it just felt so embarrassing for me. So, I thought it was better to just stay quiet when I could.
God showed me this form of control is still trying to come over me today. I had been made to feel like I am less than others, and that I would always be at the bottom. I will be having conversations with my mother, and I will try to tell her something, and she just starts speaking over me, basically saying that I am wrong. When I know for a fact that I am not wrong. So then, I end up getting mad. Constantly, I feel like I am trying to prove myself that what I say matters, and it’s always a fight of control over me STILL as a full-grown adult.
I need to resist it. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7
God Prunes Our Branches
Why do I still get so mad at this? I have forgiven my parents for this, but it’s clear there is still something lingering there. I sometimes feel like instead of getting better or healing from this, that it feels like it’s getting worse. Is there pride fighting back and forth in there? Yes, absolutely and that needs to go. God showed me that all of this needs to come up and come out of me. Forgiveness STILL needs to be a daily part of our walk. https://thelioninspires.com/forgiveness/
It is all part of His process. He’s pruning my branches. John 15:2 He showed me that He is refining me in the fire. Zechariah 13:9 Removing the bad and shining me up to make me more like Him. So that His image is seen in me.
That is a beautiful thing. It truly is. But it has not been easy. Things that you might not have thought about in years are suddenly affecting you and coming out of you. He needs to heal that. And in order to heal it, it needs to come out. There are layers upon layers that need to be peeled back. But one thing I do know is that God knows best. He knows me better than I know myself.
God Calls Us to be Bold and Courageous
God also showed me there was divine purpose behind this website being named “The Lion Inspires.” It was all Him. When I fully came back to God, one of the very first Christian songs that I absolutely fell in love with was “Lion” by Elevation Worship.
Lions are known for their courage, power, strength and boldness. He has shown me that I have that power. Unfortunately, I let the enemy in to think that I didn’t have it. I gave him a seat at my table, and he needs to go. I need to step into that boldness that God created me with. The Lion is a constant reminder.
He showed me The Lion of Judah is with me everywhere I go. I’ve got a Lion inside of my lungs. I always have access to that Lion. He is powerful, bold and courageous, and He protects me and guides me. I need to exercise the power that HE gave me.
Fear is a Liar
God wants this for YOU too! YOU have a Lion inside of your lungs. He doesn’t want you to shrink back in fear, not speak, and think you are powerless. Those are lies from the pit. We need to step into that boldness and courage.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind.
God brings that scripture to my memory often. He didn’t just say it, He meant it. Every word of it. Believe it, receive it, and live by it.
God Has Great Plans For You
If you have felt that the enemy is always trying to squash your voice, just know there is always a reason he doesn’t want you to speak. There is something God has planned to use you for in the Kingdom, and the enemy doesn’t like it. He will try at all costs to make sure you don’t speak, and that you do not make it to your destiny God has for you. Keyword here is he will TRY. The weapon may form, but it will NOT prosper!
Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that rises against you in judgement you shall condemn.
Go to God and ask Him to reveal to you when the enemy started to make you feel like your voice was nothing, and why this has happened. He will give you revelation, and help you to overcome. Sometimes we need to go through these certain trials and tribulations to make us stronger in our God given purpose. Once you are aware of what the enemy is doing, rebuke and resist it. Come against it with scripture, and your God given power and authority in Jesus Mighty Name.
I pray this revelation encouraged you today. Stay strong in Jesus. He has got you covered by the blood. <3
Nice share!