Tug of War July 22, 2024

A competitive game of dominance people engage in. A contest of strength in which two teams tug on opposite ends of a rope, each trying to pull the other across a dividing line. A struggle for supremacy. "a political tug of war between those in favor of the proposal and those against it."

People are always wanting to join these games even when there is no prize. Do you have the need to be a part of a winning team ( we have better odds of winning if there are heavier people on our side).

So analyzing this scenario (if one had free space in their mind to accommodate), we would start by asking a few questions, like, "why do people engage in this behavior?" What is the physical condition  of myself and others as this could end up disastrous if you don't have a workout routine! How hard is the ground you might fall on if you trip? Do the competitors seem jovial, mean, narcissistic, vindictive, good natured? How old am I? Use your best judgment, and even then we can't always  predict the outcome. Games in general are played with winning in mind.

There is a TV program named Truck Night in America which is a massive off- road competition between people with jeeps, and 4x4 trucks etc. They will drive a series of courses which vary such as the log run or hill climb or even the junk yard climb. Whoever makes the best time wins and if you beat the other contestants you win $10,000. But the last course which one had to go through to win is called the "Green Hell" which is a snake swamp and most don't make it through. They get stuck in the muck and have to winch themselves out! Anyway they have a tug of war set up which is sometimes in the competition called the grain pull. 2 trucks are tied to this gain silo and are opposite each other trying to tip the grain onto the other drivers vehicle. The point is to dump tons of grain onto your competitor and win! Point is there are other kinds of tug of wars!

Naturally, the earth and moon, (gravitational pull), the ocean tides, tectonic plates in land and sea etc.

In a spiritual sense, there are tug of wars, between light and darkness, angels and demons, God and the devil, men and themselves? Yea, you, George!  Ephesians 6:12 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

Usually, we picture a person with a devil on one side and an angel on the other side both trying to exert enough influence to pull that person over to their side. Well this can be a metaphor for inner conflict. That is people wrestling with themselves on issues of life. A tug of war with self! Oh yes you know about this, if you're human. Emotions, thoughts and feelings are all trying to balance each other and you looking for a way to settle this.

I'm not referring to 'should I go to Wal-Mart or Cub Foods'. The struggle is something that can make one feel uncertain, torn, overwhelmed incapacitated. But your question is how do I deal with this? Glad you asked.

Let's take a look first at some reasons for this trouble. This will help us to recognize the causes, discern and gain power over what's bugging us. This is also the first Henry Wright step in overcoming sin, to recognize it.

Some usual reasons behind the emotional tug-of-war we experience:  

Values: Our religious beliefs can be confronted by the pagan beliefs of others, and it can lead to inner conflict such as do I stand up for God's truth or be the first to back down?

Fear of Punishment: Fear of the outcomes of our choices can create inner conflict. Are we being lead by the Spirit of God or by our own desires?

Trauma: Past experiences can contribute to inner struggles. We may have judged ourselves over a course of action we took and never forgiven ourselves. Trauma could be relational, near death or actual death of a family member or others. If you hear the thoughts of regret in your mind, you might want to rethink the incident and see if your thoughts line up with reality. Trauma is a spirit and you might need ministry to get free from it.

Culture Conformity: There is a huge tug of war for dominance of ideas and laws being made to reflect modern man's lack of Bible morality with our  Christian beliefs. We are to choose life and blessing rather than conformity to the world by trying to fit in. The pressure is to stand with God's values or give in and compromise with men.

Doubt and unbelief in ourselves and God can stress us out in tough choices we are faced with. Listening for the voice of the Holy Spirit is the route to go. Set aside some time and read scripture, even listen to worship songs, these are ways to help you connect to the wonder counselor who is with you always.

Emotions: Conflicting emotions are at the heart of inner conflict. We might be in love and care for someone deeply, but at the same time, we are angry or hurt by their actions.

All people are subject to the harassment of negative thoughts brought through the realm of the spirit. We need to recognize the presence of demonic inner conflict and actively address these issues. When the negative thoughts are not controlled, they can effect others around us because of negative attitudes that are beginning to form. They come out in our speech. The heart is connected to the mouth.  Romans 10:10 "For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." The heart is also connected to our thinking. Proverbs 23:7 "…For as he thinks in his heart, so is he."

Negative  Inner Conflict Fallout:

We need to judge things by their fruit. So far we have seen only negative fruit from the reasons behind inner conflict, such as the temptation to back down and not defend our faith. Fear, culture conformity, doubting ourselves, and emotional upheaval are all from the dark side of the spirit world. This suggests the enemy of souls is at work trying to disrupt our peace! After all what is left but struggle when we fall into that emotional tug of war? Who wants to live conflicted? Below is a short list of negative effects from living with the conflict over a period of time.

Separation from ourselves and others -  Being distraught inside can wear you out! Emotional striving can over time bring you to a place of physical and mental exhaustion. Some can even go into fight and flight releasing a harmful cortisol drip which can become unregulated, possibly causing disease. Inner conflict can cause inner confusion, and if not taken care of, it may result in emotional distancing between ourselves and the ones we love. Being emotionally distant opens us to isolation.

Insecurity, Irritability, Argumentativeness, and Tension are also manifestations of the continuing conflict. Relationships are hard pressed to survive a long bout with this kind of stress.

Insecurity, Unforgiveness, Rejection, Resentment, Retaliation, Without resolution, we might give into unusual or dangerous behavior to try and release the tension or escape it's painful barrage.

Sickness or Diseases: fibromyalgia-is the result of fear anxiety and stress; unresolved conflict, stresses, insecurities, If we are in conflict with one another, the problem is we are not able to separate them from their sin! Depression- caused by a conflict at the soul and/or spirit level, in which the limbic system responds to this stress and depression is the result of the chemical imbalance produced by the body in response. Also Crohns disease, Colon Cancer, Breast Cancer, PMS, Allergies, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Graves Disease, Weight Problems.  Conflict is a spiritual problem; per Henry Wright

Enemy of Our Soul 

Nothing can bring in the confusion of mind and will and emotion like God's enemies. A virtual army of bald headed- short well dressed time-share salesmen with gold necklaces and slick, lying, forked tongues. They set up shop wherever they might find the vulnerable, and unwary.

You could be just minding your own business, sunning yourself at the beach and the thought barrage starts, with no one else around! At first it might seem innocuous, almost pleasant, and then fear grips you as you realize I must have left the stove on and have the urge to rush home and shut it off. But, I think I turned it off ! What if I didn't? Arrrgh! Now you find yourself at a beautiful beach wanting to leave to tend to your stove because some 'outside thought' is moving you with fear of what might happen should you have accidentally left the hot water pot burner on! tug of war! "Well better safe than sorry," (the demon's last ditch effort to close the deal). Suddenly Jesus comes walking down the beach and smiles your direction, and gives you a thought - remember when the blender spilled over onto the stove top and you had to move the hot water pot to clean it up? You cleaned the stovetop which was cold, because it was shut off! That's right, you agree. The day is saved! Thank you Jesus!  Jesus answers back, "I remembered you prayed this morning and wanted to be sure you were OK"

I'm not making light of thoughts you may be dealing with. Some folks wrestle with everything the enemy throws at them. But growth is part of the Kingdom plan for God's people.  Some say," I'm going to let go and let God. After all there was only one set of footprints in the sand!"

Did you ever feel vulnerable? Do you ever give into those thoughts? Everyone does. But we are rational beings, and we have to deal with an irrational devil. Of course. Psychology has some insights which are helpful, but not complete. So let us turn to the greater answer and find out what freedom is really like!

Mark 5:15 "Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid." In his right mind. Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, today and forever! He still delivers those with minds which are not right. Why were they not right? Demons. Today you might feel oppressed, fearful, maybe hopeless or have depression. I'm sure no one chained you up because you were a danger to society! Even if you were, Jesus still saves, delivers and heals!

When He was on the earth, Jesus dealt with the top devil, satan, so He can certainly deal with yours. I know what you are going through is tough, but Jesus is tougher! He was there at your creation, and promised, I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5  "For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” He did not leave us without remedy! What's the remedy? Partaking of the scripture, the Word through which the worlds were created. Listen if you feed on the word you feed on Him who is the Word. The Word of the Lord has already been spoken once, and then written. He doesn't have to repeat Himself for it to come to pass. We get to speak it!  The Bible says in Hebrews 4:12 "For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." The Word of God has this ability to show us our hearts. If we could see it the way Our Father does, we would be able to walk away from the conflict because it would be settled in our minds!

We will know what to do. We would not be getting weird ideas pushed on us by a demon 3rd party! The Word has the power to change things, like thoughts, or move you in the right direction-toward peace! Yes because the opposite of conflict is peace. 

John 14:27- "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  In other words, "My peace I give to you, so you will be able to control your heart and keep it from being troubled or afraid." The absence of fear is peace. You can use your authority on yourself! Do not consider inner conflict normal or helpful. You have the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth so call on him and He will do it. Confusion is usually the result of conflict so cast that out. Silence the voice of the enemy with the voice of truth. Read and speak the Word repeatedly to settle the conflict. Ask the Holy Spirit to awake in you the fruit of self control.

OK lets' say this and do it! Say this after me if you would,

"Father I receive your peace right now! I thank you for it. I forgive myself and all people, Inner Conflict, I cast you out in Jesus name, Confusion, I cast you out In Jesus name. Strife of thoughts, I cast you out in Jesus name. I silence your voice you tempter and I will not listen to you. I take the Word of God and enforce your defeat! For it is written… (add your scripture(s))

Holy Spirit I ask you to guide me into all truth regarding my thoughts and awake in me the fruit of self control! Amen!