Reprogramming 11/17/2024

Last week, we heard a powerful message titled Deception Pass delivered by Pastor John and Yukara. They spoke to our hearts as we learned that "though the weight of our sin may appear to loom above us disastrously, it is truly only its shadow that may lay at the feet of those in Christ." Though this is very good news, that shadow can still impact how we see ourselves, others, and the world around us. Part of the problem is that we grow up in a sinful world, and it's safe to say that most of us have emotional scars. The world is full of broken and hurt people, and as a result of this, we often engage with people who are ruled by selfishness, lust, anger, fear, and even cruel motives. Even for the person who grows up in a safe environment, eventually, they will be exposed to the society they live in, and the damage will begin. Not only are we damaged by the things that have been done to us, but we are damaged by what we do to ourselves and others. The shadow that it leaves is often memories that plague us. It can be a smell, a sound, or a word that takes us back to that place of pain, and in those moments, we can feel crippled to the point that we feel like we are right back where the pain began. This is a virus that threatens to impact us emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Like a computer virus, it threatens to kill, steal, and destroy. When the Spirit reigns over our flesh, our minds are reprogrammed, resulting in life and peace.