"... And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ's authority ..., so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes." 2 Cor 2:10-11 [New Living Translation]
We are so blinded to the incursion of our mortal enemy in our churches and our lives that there are times when he walks in and we are not ready to recognize and deal with him. The scripture tells us that he comes as an angel of light. We expect either the horns and pitchfork or we expect a grand entrance of some supernatural presence defying the God of our salvation.
NO SO
He doesn’t come in any of the forms that I just mentioned. Instead he is subtle, endearing and talented. He comes in the prayer room as a person of prayer but after the prayer he sows seeds of discord that wreck the prayer ministry and can seriously affect the overall church.
He comes in the Worship team and challenges the very authority placed over him. He bucks authority, challenges direction, sows disharmony and leads people into disobedience rather than obedience and true worship.
He comes as a servant in the helps ministry but complains about the leaders, speaking about their attitude and their faults. But he never tells you about his, he makes himself seem demure, humble and the victim of the “church.” He calls you and tells you how much he wants to be at church but he can’t because he cannot be with “those people.”
He comes as a gifted individual who endears himself and then sows discord to undermine the established authority of the ministry. He will say, “if I were the leader I would do this or do that.”
He comes as prophet, speaking enticing words. He can be accurate to the letter, sobering to hear but challenging to recognize for who he is. His words seem calming and influencing, you are draw to him because you believe that this is indeed God speaking to you!
Friends, some of you have had calls from the devil, have entertained him in your living rooms and even chosen to have him become your friend. What was his aim all along? iIt was his strategy to separate you from your first love. The Lord Jesus Christ knew the ground in which you should be planted, designed the right place, with the right people – some to encourage and many to challenge you to excellence – but Satan saw you growing, saw your progress and your successes – he heard your confessions and knew that he must undermine your foundation.
So he sent a friend, a confidant, a counselor, a child that you would not recognize as his puppet to destroy what God has begun in you. I have seen this happen on so many occasions, how a good thing begun by the Lord is aborted because someone influences you otherwise.
Dear friends, recognize Satan and his ungodly message. Jesus himself while sitting with Peter, one whom he loved and who was numbered with the disciples said, “get thee behind me Satan” when Peter spoke words that were not consistent with God’s will and purpose for him.
Beloved, what have you done recently that you have recognized the hand of the DEVIL. Be strong and courageous, speak to the devil and tell him to get behind you and move forward with God’s purpose. You will not prosper in the wrong ground, God’s location of your provision has not changed. Walk in humility and say Lord I am returning to my father, for ground “I” have chosen is not the right ground for me.
PRAYER
Lord, I pray for the church today, thank you for the Spirit of Truth that leads us to make the right choices in our lives. Thank you that I always see and react with Godly wisdom to Satan’s device. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
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