protect yourself

Francis Frangipane's blog is a treasure of teaching. Discussed here are some posts dealing with offenses and protection of our spirits:

​1. Satan's domain is the realm of darkness. "For most, the term 'spiritual warfare' introduces a new but not necessarily welcomed dimension in their Christian experience. The thought of facing evil spirits in battle is an unsettling concept, especially since we came to Jesus as lost sheep, not warriors. Ultimately, some of us may never actually initiate spiritual warfare, but all of us must face the fact that the devil has initiated warfare against us. Therefore, it is essential to our basic well-being that we discern the areas of our nature that are unguarded and open to satanic assault.... Satan will never be given permission to destroy the saints. Rather, he is limited to sifting us 'like wheat.' The good news is that God knows there is wheat inside each of us. The outcome of this type of satanic assault, which is allowed through the permissive will of God, is to cleanse the soul of pride and produce greater meekness and transparency in our lives. It may feel terrible, but God causes it to work for good. Our husk-like outer nature must die to facilitate the breaking forth of the wheat-like nature of the new creation man. Both the chaff and the husk were necessary; they provided protection for us from the harsh elements of this life. But before God can truly use us, in one way or another we will pass through a time of threshing... We must go beyond a vague submission to God; we must submit the exact area of our personal battle to Him. When we come against the power of the devil, it must be from a heart in submission to Jesus... Victory begins with the name of Jesus on your lips, but it will not be consummated until the nature of Jesus is in your heart... Satan will be allowed to come against the area of your weakness until you realize God's only answer for you is that you become Christlike. As you begin to appropriate not just the name of Jesus but His nature as well, the adversary will withdraw. Satan will not continue to assault you if the circumstances he designed to destroy you are now working to perfect you."

2.  Unoffendable Part One and Unoffendable Part Two. "When we allow an offense to remain in our hearts, it causes serious spiritual consequences. In the above verse Jesus named three dangerous results: betrayal, hatred and cold love...

...When we are offended with someone, even someone we care for, we must go to them. If we do not talk to them, we will begin to talk about them. We betray that relationship, whispering maliciously behind their back to others, exposing their weaknesses and sins. We may mask our betrayal by saying we are just looking for advice or counsel, but when we look back, we see we have spoken negatively to far too many people. Our real goal was not to get spiritual help for ourselves but to seek revenge toward the one who offended us. How is such action not a manifestation of hatred? For an offended soul, cold love, betrayal and hatred are a walk into darkness.... The occasions for taking offense are practically endless. Indeed, we are daily given the opportunity to either be offended by something or to possess an unoffendable heart. The Lord's promise is that He's given us a new heart - a soft, entreatable heart that can be filled with His Spirit and abound with His love."

"A wounded spirit is not the same thing as an offended spirit. We may have experienced a cutting remark or slander from someone that wounds us. As the wave of this event rolls over our thoughts, it is right at this moment that we must determine the outcome, that with God's help we will make this work for us. It is at this juncture that we must process our wounds in a Christlike manner. If we fail to respond rightly we will begin to fake our Christianity. Indeed, an offended spirit, left unattended and brooding in our minds, will soon manifest as betrayal, hatred and cold love. Jesus said offenses would be the ultimate cause that leads many to fall away from the faith. Listen well: in the above verse, Jesus linked the real cause of apostasy not only to wrong doctrines, but wrong reactions."

3. Be A Worshiper. "Consider: in our world of terrors, pressures and trauma, our only refuge exists in the living presence of God. We must not accept a religion about God and assume it is the same as living in the presence of God. If we are to truly dwell in the Divine Presence, one thing perhaps above all others will take us there: we must become true worshipers of God... True worship rescues our spiritual efforts from empty routine and pride; it takes our minds off ourselves and burrows us into the depths of God. Indeed, whether the outward form of our worship is expressed with tears of joy or in silent awe, worship unites us with love to the heart of God."

​4. Our words. "Jesus taught that we will be judged for every idle, unchristlike word that we speak. (see Matt 12:36). Words possess a unique power to affect reality. The truth is, in many ways we are living today what we were talking about yesterday. Our words are the seeds of our tomorrows... Our words can either bring to people a sense of renewal or hope, or we can speak and release death to another's heart. As Proverbs tells us, "He who loves purity of heart and whose speech is full of grace, the King is his friend" (Proverbs 22:11). Don't you desire that Jesus, the King of kings would be your personal friend? Then let us speak with grace upon our lips."

Curt Landry 2 minute video. Living a "life of repentance" (meaning, keeping yourself joined with Yahweh, letting nothing between you, no offense, no sin; is the very best way to protect yourself.