Protect Our Soul Against Toxic Words

Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Ephesians 6:16

The evil one uses toxic people to say destructive words directing to us as weapons of mass destruction to our souls. They are flaming arrows of the evil one, aimed to tear apart our core: our identity, our worth, our confidence, our dignity, our destiny in God’s path. When our hearts are vulnerable, we allow ourselves to soak in the toxic of these lies from the evil one, taking them all in like a sponge taking in poison, ruining our inner being to the core.

Of course we need to humbly discern constructive criticisms from the attack of the evil one. Confrontation, correction, disciplining may be painful to receive, but when given out of love, they are for our own good. However, arrows of the evil one are easy to detect: unwarranted verbal attack; demeaning or belittling comments; sarcastic jokes; shaming or condemning statements or name calling; accusations based on twisted facts. This list goes on and on. Unfortunately, these toxic words can come from people who are dear to us and suppose to love us, such as parents; spouse; best friends; colleagues; siblings etc.. That’s why they can hurt so much.

PUT THE SHIELD IN FRONT OF OUR HEART!

It’s time to take up the shield of FAITH to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one:

• The FAITH to know that I am His beloved one whom Jesus purchased with His blood.
• The FAITH to know that I am the Father’s chosen one, wonderfully and fearfully made for His divine purpose here on earth.
• The FAITH to take up my identity as a child of the Heavenly Father.
• The FAITH to know that I am His, regardless of what other people say.

Putting the Shield of Faith on, toxic words hit the shield and fall on the ground instead of piercing right through into my heart. With authority and freedom in Christ, my soul declares, “In Jesus Name, I reject these toxic words from my spirit for I know my Heavenly Father disagrees with them.”

Without toxic in my soul, the eyes of my heart are enlightened to see the TRUTH!

THE TRUTH IS that these toxic words actually do not reflect me but rather reflect on the darkness of the heart that these words come from: the anger, the bitterness, the insecurity, the fear, the pride etc. from a heart filled with unresolved issues, unhealed wounds, and the internal turmoil with sins.

Instead of responding to these toxic words with my sinful response, coming from my hurts as I received these toxic words in my soul, I am now freed and empowered by the Spirit and be able to say heartily  what Jesus said on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are saying!” Looking beyond what is said into a heart that desperately needs Jesus’ healing, my compassion for the offenders rises, praying that one day they will share in the Grace that I have in Jesus.

I need to remind myself: Put the shield of faith on, moment by moment!