Ephesians 5:9-12 "For the fruit (the product) of the Light or the Spirit [consists] in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life. 10And try to learn [in your experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him]. 11Take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds and enterprises of darkness, but instead [let your lives be so in contrast as to] expose and reprove and convict them.12For it is a shame even to speak of or mention the things that [such people] practice in secret."
Believe the best in people and speak it into their lives even when you do not see it...this is the ultimate love we can have for each other. When we begin to wonder and think "what are they up to?" and react in mistrust or suspicion then we imprison ourselves and our hearts become hardened. We fear what they are going to do or say and we end up in defensive mode....God is your defender so cast your care on Him. It isn't your burden and remember that God's ways doesn't always make sense; but in the end....you want to come out a shining reflection of Christ, right?
"The life of King Saul also shows us how suspicion can masquerade as discernment and ultimately lead us into bondage. Suspicion is the gift of discernment being used by the spirit of fear. It leads to bitterness, unforgiveness, and torment, and it results in our going into a spiritual prison where all guards work for the dark side. The spirits who guard the walls of this prison have names like sickness, depression, hatred, and murder."1
Suspicion defined: the act or an instance of suspecting something wrong without proof or on slight evidence, mistrust, a state of mental uneasiness or uncertainty, doubt, a barely detectable amount
It is truly amazing how quick that we can find ourselves being held captive by our own minds. Our imagination is such a powerful thing! Our past experiences can form mind sets and pre-conceived ideas that can actually dictate the way that we interact, love, have friendships etc. We can also listen to gossip and believe what is being told to us that will change the way we think about someone or something. If we aren't "renewing" our minds daily with the words of Christ then we can fall subject to this quite easily. One of my favorite scriptures in the Bible is found in Psalms 51:10 "Create in me a clean heart Oh God. And renew a right spirit within me." It is our natural tendency to get angry or want revenge when others hurt us or betray us BUT that is why we must dwell on the Word of God that brings life to our spirit.
Living a life of suspicion can be painful. You will find yourself in a place where you have no friends and that you leave a trail of "destruction" wherever you go. You gossip and slander and live in a state of mistrust it doesn't feel good at all. So then you blame others on how you feel and the vicious cycle continues no matter if you change churches, cities or relationships. It is a sickness that has been in the church for years and the enemies best card in his hand. No matter what side of the coin you find yourself on...the one talking or the one being talked about; you can find yourself bound and miserable. Where there is suspicion; there is NO room for love. Where there is no room for love...well...God does not dwell there.
God I pray that our spiritual blinders be broken off in your name. I pray that whatever chains is holding us back from our true calling and standing that we shake them off this very day. That your people experience freedom today from the tricks that our minds make and that we find ourselves on our knees asking for your forgiveness. Make us clean from trying to take matters in our own hands. We lift up those that hurt us or those that we have a issue with and we ask you to forgive us for harboring resentment and suspicion. Father renew a trusting and loving heart in us. I pray for my perceived enemies and I speak blessings on them and their families. God restore us to right standing. We call out to you; the one that can give our souls a refreshing like none other. I speak joy into lives today and a that a new spirit is being created of love, joy and peace. Give me the wisdom to speak truth and love and speak life into people and circumstances. I declare it so in your name. Amen.
Adjust your crown!
Jonna
*This blog is written by Jonna Gibson for "Invisible Crown". You can follow it at Jonna-invisiblecrown.blogspot.com
1Johnson, Bill; Vallotton, Kris (2006-04-28). The Supernatural Ways of Royalty: Discovering Your Rights and Privileges of Being a Son or Daughter of God (p. 48). Destiny Image. Kindle Edition. 
