Tap Out
When I was a kid my oldest brother would put me in the headlock and squeeze until I called him daddy. I had to submit because he was too strong for me to overcome.
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Heb. 4:12-13)
The phrase laid bare comes from the Greek word trachelizo. It is an unusual term that is only found here in the New Testament and not very often outside of it. It is connected with the neck—we get our medical term tracheotomy from it. During the time the Bible was written this term was used of wrestlers who had a hold that involved gripping the neck and it was so powerful that it brought victory. That is how the Word works—when you read it you learn exactly what you need to do. I ‘m thankful that when I need an attitude adjustment the Word will put me in a spiritual headlock until I tap out.
This is what happened to me today. I took a radical sabbatical – bible and journal in hand I drove to Lake Eufaula by myself. I had no idea what the Lord was going to reveal to me today but I knew I needed a revelation! I have been walking around with a spirit of heaviness and I haven’t been able to shake it. As I sat and stared at the water – I wrote the words at the top of the page “Who Am I in Christ?” I had no idea what to even write – but found myself writing those words! Then I dove into the word and wrote down who I am in Christ: chosen, forgiven, marked with a seal – the Holy Spirit, full of his power, justified, not condemned, righteous, new creation, one in Christ with other believers, blameless, God’s work of art, members of His body (the church), set free from sinful nature, made complete in Christ, indwelt with Him in my heart, rooted and established in love, filled to the measure with His fullness, made new in attitude of my mind, strong in Him and his mighty power, believers with streams of living water flowing within me, made competent as a minister of a new covenant, slave to righteousness, a mind of life and peace, heir of God, co-heir of Christ, called – justified – glorified, raised up to sit with Him in glory – under His authority, blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ. The blanket of heaviness is gone. I’m going to believe Him for what He tells me in His word and I can’t walk around without a smile on my face anymore – knowing what I know and Who I am in Christ! His Word is truth and it changes EVERYTHING!
I have been a Christian now for 8 year now. The head lock I have had placed on me several times. This may sound funny but it is allot like jiu jitsu.
It took me a while to recognize when to tap when being put in submission. After being in choke holds and arm bars it gets easier to know when I am in.
a bad place and need to surrender.