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Be Free of Your Inner Saboteur!

There is a part of you that is determined to defeat you at every turn. You were born with this enemy and right now he may be hiding in the darkness of your unconscious experience, ready to ambush you when you least expect it.

I’ve had to deal with this lurking enemy of my soul too. He’s an Inner Saboteur who tries to sabotage the good things that God wants to do in our lives.

The Inner Saboteur is not the real you — it’s your rebel sin nature (Rom. 7:17) and he partners with the wiles of Satan and the lusts of the world to try to get us to reject the loving rule of God in particular situations of our lives so that he can diminish God’s kingdom and degrade our own soul and the soul of anyone connected to us in that situation.

What Lies Are Sabotaging You?

The key to defeating this dark enemy is to shine the light of Christ into our unconscious where he lurks. But many people we talk with don’t realize that they are being baited by lies that twist a truth. There are a variety of sabotaging messages of deceit that we see people struggling with. Which of these do you relate to?

  • “You’ll never be good enough”
  • “Your sins are not forgiven”
  • “Your emotional needs are a burden to people”
  • “You have to take control of this situation”
  • “You have to fight against people to survive!”
  • “Just do what feels good”
  • “If you can’t do it right don’t do it at all.”
  • “Don’t be vulnerable. You’ll get hurt.”

Lighted PathThe Word is Our Light

Just as sunlight kills germs so Sonlight kills lies! The lies of Satan and of the Internal Saboteur can’t stand up next to Jesus Christ! Do a Bible study on them and you’ll see for yourself.

Jesus said, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). Knowing — really understanding and coming to experience — the truth of God’s Word is our deliverance from the Inner Saboteur and all the destructiveness of sin and Satan. But this spiritual knowledge needs to be shined onto the particular lie that attacks us in our particular situation of weakness.

Fear of Being Hurt

For instance, let’s say you’re having lunch with someone and you have the thought of being afraid to be rejected if you share your honest feelings or a struggle with sin. The Inner Saboteur has pounced on you: “Don’t be vulnerable. You’ll get hurt.”

If you shine the Light of Christ on this statement then you have the power of choice. You can pray with the Psalmist, “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper” (Psalm 118:6-7). Yes, Lord, I’m secure in your love and power. I trust you. Should I take a risk and trust this person as Christ’s ambassador to me or do I hold back? Will this person help me cling to the mercy of the Lord Jesus and his cross? If it’s not wise to be vulnerable with this person then who can I share with?

To be clear, there is a time not to trust another person who is not safe and we need God’s help to learn to discern when someone is likely to be a gentle, compassionate, and capable Christ’s ambassador to help us experience reconciliation with God (2 Cor. 5:20). But the point I’m making here is that if you don’t shine the Light on your Inner Saboteur then his fearful message will push you to stay in hiding all the time — you may not get hurt, but the real you on the inside will be alone and without the loving care and strength that you need.

To take a wise emotional risk in a relationship means wading into the shallow end of the pool, testing the waters to see if you can go further in.

Find Your Identity in Christ

Sometimes we need to be guided by the hand of the Lord to take emotional risks with trustworthy people so that we can learn how to receive care at a deep level and to be more securely attached to God. Furthermore, by abiding in the word and love of Christ we are enabled to bear the fruit of loving other people well. (John 15:7-12)

In all your relationships with people look to the Lord or mercy who loves you and he will care for you and guide you. Our Redeemer from sin will even work for your ultimate good and his glory your past sins and the sins of others against you. (Romans 8:28)

Our “Identity in Christ Verses in the Bible” will help you to defeat your Inner Saboteur!

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