Weorpan

The word “warp” is used either as a noun or as a verb. As the latter it refers to the act of twisting or turning something out of shape. It can also refer to the act of deflecting something or sending something off its proper course. Warp is also used to refer to bias or the act of treating something unfairly. In weaving it refers to the arrangement of the thread lengthwise. As a noun “warp” refers to the state in which something is bent out of shape. It refers to twist or distortion, particularly in pieces of wood. The word “warp” is taken from the Middle English word “werpen”, taken from the Old English “weorpan” which meant to throw away. The word warp is also seen used in the idiom time warp where it refers to a distortion in the flow of time.

I am convinced that the enemy of our soul wants us to “weorpan” our way of Thinking…Being and Doing. Every person has the capacity to Think…Be and Do life as a son or daughter of God. Very early in life, the process of warping begins. From little disillusionments to big disappointments, our minds begin to twist out of shape. Whatever is warped…distorted, bent out of shape or twisted, has the potential to get us off course.

The ultimate goal of the devil, who is the enemy of our soul (mind, will and emotions) and the “warper” of our destiny, is to get us to THINK wrong. If he can get us to Think wrong, he can get us to Be and Do wrong…we are warped. The “warped” would ask the question about now… “Warped according to who and what? I am just open to different viewpoints and ways of thinking.”

I want to highlight a few strategic areas the devil wants you to be warped in:

Your ability to both be grateful and express gratitude.

The bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

It is the will of God for each of us to give thanks. Thanks then, is an offering we give born out of a heart that is grateful, in both good and bad situations.

Your ability to give honor.

In Ephesians 6:1,2, the bible says, “Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. Honor your father and mother…”

Honor is supposed to be learned in the home. When the home is dysfunctional or where honor is not strategically taught, which is a lack of knowledge that leads to dysfunction, there is a warped view of honor. God wants us to live a life of honor. To honor teachers and those in authority over us…civil authorities, occupational authorities, political authorities and spiritual authorities. In fact, 1 Timothy 5 says to honor widows and especially “elders…those who preside over churches.”

“Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.”

♦ Your ability to live free.

“And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2

“For though I be free from all men, yet I have made myself servant unto all, that I might gain more.” 1 Corinthians 9:19

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1

God’s desire for you is to live free and know it. The devil’s desire for you is to live in bondage and not know it. The more warped our mind is, the more bondage we are in, and blind spots become a way of life. The inability to be grateful is a form of bondage. When you are not intentionally grateful, your mind becomes warped as to who you should give honor or even why honor is necessary.

A few Symptoms of a Warped mind are:

• You may have a warped mind if you are more bothered by someone who gives you a gift, than you are grateful for the gift.
• You may have a warped mind if you don’t want someone to pray for you because you think they think they are better than you and don’t have any problems.
• You may have a warped mind if you find yourself being offended by the same things that have always offended you.
• You may have a warped mind if you are known more for what you are against, than what you are for.
• You may have a warped mind if you think you have learned all there is to learn from past failures and successes that justifies the way you do think.
• You may have a warped mind if you think someone is arrogant because they are confident.
• You may have a warped mind if you judge someone’s behavior or actions as wrong because they do something you would never do.

The prescription for a warped mind are:

Gratitude + Honor = Freedom