Recently, I stood before a precious group of musicians in Kansas to offer a word of exhortation before we led worship.  As we circled, I was mindful of two things: the first was that we had spent the day before experiencing the healing grace of God from past wounds and present brokenness.  The second was the fact that Satan is described in the Scriptures as the father of lies and the accuser of the brethren.

I read from Zechariah 3:1-5.  “Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him.  And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan!  The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you!  Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?”  Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel.  Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him.”  And to him He said, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.”  And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him.  And the Angel of the Lord stood by.”

I shared with them that sometimes when we rise up and stand to minister, it feels like Satan stands at our right side with broad accusations to condemn us for sins we have already confessed.  Clothing us in filthy garments of shame and disgrace, Satan attempts to deceive us into disqualifying ourselves from ministry because of our past – whether recent or long ago.  But the Lord rebuked Satan, defining Joshua’s identity as one rescued from the fire.  The Truth is that we have been rescued!  We have been forgiven!  I John 1:9 says that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness [see also Colossians 2:13-15].  God wants to exchange the filthy garments of the enemy’s lies and accusations with the royal garments of God’s Truth!

So, we prayed through the passage, rebuked the enemy and lingered thanking God for His forgiveness, for removing filthy garments and for clothing us with His robes of righteousness.  We then asked God to fill us afresh with the Holy Spirit.  The change of clothes was noticeable.  They stood up straight with broad, grateful smiles as they walked passed me to the platform to lead worship.  Their leadership evidenced the reality that they were freshly humbled by God’s mercy and overflowing in gratitude.  Why?  Because they were, as Romans 12 says, transformed by the renewing of their minds.

That incident was a powerful reminder to me as I seek to live in the power of the Holy Spirit.  I believe the Holy Spirit is specific when He convicts me of sin so that I can immediately confess it and restore intimacy with God.  On the contrary, it has been my experience that the enemy is vague when he condemns seeking to fill my mind with a general sense that I am a disappointment to God.  The enemy delights in attempting to discourage us from rising up and stepping out in obedience to minister.

Perhaps you have felt like the High Priest Joshua with the enemy standing at your right side relentlessly making broad accusations against you.  Maybe he has attempted to deceive you into thinking that you are disqualified even though you have confessed and repented from sin that the Holy Spirit has specifically identified.  The enemy might have even cloaked you with filthy garments of shame and disgrace.

I invite you, in the authority granted you by Jesus Christ, to boldly speak the Truth of God in the face of that which has set itself up against your knowledge of God.  Take your thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ [see 2 Corinthians 10:4-5].  In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!

Each time the enemy condemns, you have a fresh change of clothes - royal garments – tailor made by One with nail-scarred hands a heart full of love for you!  “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness…” [Isaiah 61:10].