God Wants to Cleanse Not Accuse

PRAY OVER THIS

“And the Lord said, ‘Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.’ But he said to Him, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.’ Then He said, ‘I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.’” Luke 22:31-34

 

PONDER THIS

Why do you sift wheat? To get the impurities out—the sticks and stones. Why does Satan want to do that? Satan wants to get those sticks and those stones—those sins in our lives—so he can accuse us. Why does Jesus allow it? So He can cleanse us! He wants those sticks and those stones out of our lives. He wants us to be pure.

Satan will find sin in your life to accuse you. And what is the result of accusation? Despondency and fear. What is the result of conviction? Repentance, cleansing, and victory. Don’t let the devil condemn you when Jesus Christ wants to cleanse you by convicting you. There is a Savior today in glory praying for you. He wants you to have revival. The Bible says, “He always lives to make intercession for [you]” (Hebrews 7:25). And if, like Simon Peter, you’ve failed—and we all have to some degree—God is a God of fresh beginnings. When that rooster crowed, a new day was dawning for Simon Peter. No matter how you’ve failed, He still has compassion. And no matter your disobedience, He is still committed to you. He will see you through.

What are some impurities and sins recently revealed in your life? How have you responded?

What do you do when you feel convicted about something? What does this show regarding what you believe about God?

PRACTICE THIS

Confess your sin and impurities to God and ask Him to cleanse you.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers