We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. I John 5:18
A place where the wicked one doesn’t touch you? Wow. Sounds impossible, doesn’t it? And what does that mean exactly? Well, touch in this scripture means to fasten oneself to, to become one with, to fellowship with. Therefore, for this person, the enemy can’t fasten himself to you, nor become one with, nor fellowship with.
For us that implies that he may plan attacks and assaults but they simply can’t touch you, they can’t even get close to you.
Do you still have trouble believing a place like this exists? Let me prove to you that it does in scripture. When I first found this scripture years ago, it excited me but when I questioned people about it, I always got the same response; ‘no, as long as we are in this body, this wicked one can touch us.’ I couldn’t figure it out, if God said he can’t touch us, then there must be a place he can’t touch us for God doesn’t lie.
A few years back I had decided to pursue God in a way I hadn’t before. Not because I had needs, though I did, not because I needed prayers answered, though I needed that too but just because He is God and He is not only my rewarder but also my reward. I felt that He was pulling me into this time of seeking. My heart cried out to touch His heart, to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth, to please Him. For days I sought Him without ceasing. Then one day, I stepped into a place in Him that literally ‘took my breath away.’ That day, when I walked into my assistance office, I was different, I could feel it but I didn’t realize she could to. She said “Kim, when you walked in here, God came with you.”
It was the most awesome place, words can’t describe it. The same circumstances were still in my life and I did not deny them – but I did deny their right to stay because my God had come on the scene.
This place was a place of peace that goes beyond understanding. No fear existed in this place. You could literally feel God’s pleasure in you. This is the place He desires all of His children to dwell. Something interesting I learned in this place, after being there for a couple days a situation occurred where the enemy began speaking to me, speaking things that would normally have caused me to fear. I was driving home as this happened and I stopped those thoughts in their tracks and said ‘Oh, no devil, you are not bringing me out of this place.’ His words became more and more faint. What I realized is this; he couldn’t come where I was, he could only entice me to come out and receive his thoughts and if I refused to come out where he was, he couldn’t touch me.
Thoughts of fear and dread and unbelief can’t enter into this place in God. Sin can’t dwell in this place. Anything the opposite of faith is sin according to the Bible. So, for me to stay in this place I had to resist everything the enemy had to offer. And when I resisted, he couldn’t touch me, because he didn’t have access to this place I had found. Isn’t that awesome!
Later that night, I prayed “Lord, show me how to stay here.” He led me to quote Psalm 91. I did and He told me to quote it again, so I did. And again, so I did. By this time I knew I was on to something. Then I read Psalm 91 in the Amplified and the Message Bible. Let me share those with you.
The Amplified Bible
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust! For [then] He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. (Then) He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day. Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you. Only a spectator shall you be [yourself inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High] as you witness the reward of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place, there shall no evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent. For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service]. They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the serpent shall you trample underfoot. Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness–trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never]. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.
The Message Bible
You who sit down in the High God’s presence, spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow, Say this: “God, you’re my refuge. I trust in you and I’m safe!” That’s right – he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. His huge outstretched arms protect you – under them you’re perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm. Fear nothing – not wild wolves in the night, not flying arrows in the day, Not disease that prowls through the darkness, not disaster that erupts at high noon. Even though others succumb all around, drop like flies right and left, no harm will even graze you. You’ll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance, watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because God’s your refuge, the High God your very own home, evil can’t get close to you, harm can’t get through the door. He ordered his angels to guard you wherever you go. If you stumble, they’ll catch you; their job is to keep you from falling. You’ll walk unharmed among lions and snakes, and kick young lions and serpents from the path. “If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God, “I’ll get you out of any trouble. I’ll give you the best of care if you’ll only get to know and trust me. Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times; I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party. I’ll give you a long life, I’ll give you a long drink of salvation!”
This was the place I found; the Secret place of the Most High God, the place I John talked about, where the wicked one can’t touch you. In this place, you must make it your home, abide there. Also, if you go back to I John, you will find that sin can’t come in there. In this scripture he is talking to the church. Not to sinners. He is talking about disobedience. He is talking about not trusting God. He is talking about the ‘sins’ we fight within the church.
To enter into the Secret place, you have to fully trust God and as the Message Bible says, hold onto Him for dear life.
Oh, if I could tell you in words, the awesomeness of that place. The peace I found there. The ability to totally rely and trust without fear or ‘what if’s.’ If I could just lead you there I would. But I can’t. It is a place you have to find for yourself. The Bible says we must labor to enter into the rest. It took work for me to get there and it takes work to maintain and abide there. But for me, to know as long as I stay here, the enemy can’t touch me, this alone makes it worth the effort. It is worth laying everything down, getting rid of every sin that so easily stops you. It is worth the cost, regardless of the price.
Now, I am not saying that temptations don’t come. They do but the Bible says that if I submit to God, resist the enemy, he has to flee. I am submitted to God in this place so I simply resist the enemy. I am no longer fighting, simply resisting, and he goes just like the Bible says he will. When he attempts to pull me out, I pray and ask God to help me remain, to keep myself in Him and He does. It is an amazing place! In Him. I live, breathe and have my being IN HIM. And you can too!
