Don't "Settle Out-of-Court"

One of the analogies that we have of the Kingdom of God is that of a Court Room. God is the Judge, Jesus is our Attorney and the devil is prosecutor.

In the earthly legal realm, the majority of cases are solved before they get to court. This is because most people would rather make a deal then get into a situation where Jurors and a Judge decide your fate. Most would rather have a "sure thing."

In the heavenly realm, at the end of this life on Earth for all the generations collectively, God the Judge is going to have the last say and there will be no settlement. Only a decisive judgement will be given and it will be perfect. In order to negotiate this life properly, it takes eternal focus...

In the "out-of-court" negotiations which attorney's often busy themselves with, one of the key considerations is to know what evidence there is. Without evidence, the defense wins. With evidence, the prosecution wins. On Earth, a nice smile might sway the jury, but in Heaven, it is a matter of truth and the jury is impartial.

The devil is the "Accuser of our Brothers" (Revelation 12:10 NIV) who hurls accusations at us before God "day and night." And for some reason, God allows it (so that we can become stronger and grow and more...). Interestingly, much of it is happening before our very eyes and not only in heaven. What is going on here on earth is a projection of what is going on before the Father in heaven. When the devil accuses you up there, be certain that somebody... some unsuspecting pawn is hurling the same accusation down here... Christian or non-Christian.

But check this out: Psalm 130:3-4 (NIV) "If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared."

Once you have asked the Lord for forgiveness, He eliminates any record of sin. Therefore, anytime anyone brings up your past, God has no record or recollection. That evidence is outdated and inadmissible. But the devil would like for you to settle out of court based on old evidence. It is at this point that he (and his agents) begin to use fear and intimidation tactics. They use the tool of public humiliation or embarrassment, but God says anytime anyone brings up your past, that is a time to give your testimony. They will even use the hypocrite trick. But forgiven people are never hypocrites. Hypocrites think of themselves as above forgiven tax collectors, prostitutes, mechanics, pastors and students! Don't empower the old evidence with fear... because God has not given you a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power and love and self-discipline... so you won't freak out and give in. Hello?

Don't give in my friend... don't settle out-of-court. The enemy is trying to gain control in any area of your life that he can. Draw a line and declare reality: "I am forgiven and I am free! You cannot intimidate me devil and we are going to court and I win in Jesus name!" Go ahead... you know you've always wanted to say it... "I'll see you in court!"

I want to be in the light as He is in the light... don't engage the prosecution in the dark my friend but engage him in the light... in court and never out of court.

1 John 1:7 (NIV) "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."