Acknowledge
Definition of Acknowledge:
To accept or admit the existence of or truth of; To recognize the importance of or quality of
Genesis 3:1-6
1Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” 4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
Neither Adam nor Eve acknowledged the test or fight that they were in or sought out help. How many times do we see an issue or need and don’t give it proper acknowledgement?
Picture a (spiritual) radar:
• We acknowledge this is bad or harmful but in the moment, we are convinced that it’s okay.
• We take it to God and seek help but we don’t honestly fully surrender it or let go.
• We acknowledge it, with Gods help nip it in the bud, and we live in the power that Christ has made us free.
There is so much power and freedom in simply acknowledging.
Act
Definition of Act:
Do something, take action, represent (someone), fulfill the function or serve the purpose of, and to take effect or have a particular effect.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Some of satans tools and devices:
fear, hate, division, confusion, seclusion, deception
A few ways to fight back.
• acknowledge what’s happing and how you are feeling in the moment.
• acknowledge or seek out the truth of the matter.
• encourage yourself, take it to God, literally call out and speak out truth, and allow the people you live life with to help.
There are many forms and levels of (spiritual) attacks or things we face but the Word of God says:
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Psalms 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Hebrews 3:13
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Some things that we Acknowledge and are Acting on take time and we steadily make progress.
John 15:2
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
Some things just won’t go away or haven’t been broken off of us yet, but we can still live and walk in Gods grace and in His strength through it.
2 Corinthians 12:8-9
8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
