Don't Let the Devil Deceive You

If you have been following my past several weeks’ blog posts, you would know that God has blessed me with so many great and real encounters with Him. Because I know full well that I used to be a proud person, I am always fearful that I may allow those blessings go to my head and thus become puffed up. And in many ways, I did. I permitted disappointment to seep in when more and more people from my church received the same glory dust manifestation and at one brief point I even reasoned that they were experiencing it because of me. And when the personal prophecies I spoke forth were accurate, I had urges to broadcast just that.

It is important that we serve God for the right reasons and with the right motives. If it is for our glory, then we are liable to be tempted into manipulation and deceit by the devil. He will unquestionably manipulate us and destroy our destiny. Whatever area of the believer’s life he is unwilling to turn over to the Lord is where the devil is most likely to attack. He will exploit our old passions, nature and weaknesses. Although he cannot touch the believer’s will, he can (and will) influence it, if the believer allows him to do so.

“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us, we are not ignorant of his devices.” (2 Corinthians 2:11)

“Awake! Be on the alert because your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, eager to devour you.” (1 Peter 5:8)

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient." (Ephesians 2:1-2)

An undisciplined mind is an opening for the devil. Therefore, we must choose which thoughts we entertain. Our thoughts influence and change us and, they can make or break us. Do not let any ungodly thought fester. If we allow a single thought to develop into a train of thoughts, it will ultimately affect our reasoning and become part of our belief system. Subsequently, ungodly speech and action will follow. The devil gets us to act by our own free will on his suggestions! He is man’s “tempter” and then he becomes man’s “accuser”.

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7, NKJV).

“You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” (Matthew 12:34)

 

Strongholds such as pride, fear, worry, bitterness, anger, shame, control, etc. need to be removed and replaced by Christ’s thoughts. God has made us guardians of our own mind. We decide which thoughts are allowed entry and which ones refusal of admittance. Resisting the devil is not automatic; it requires conscientious efforts.

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind.” (Romans 12:2)

“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.” (1 Peter 1:13)

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and His mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against the flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:10-17)

“Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

If we fall, be quick to seek God’s forgiveness and repent of those thoughts, like I always try to do. As we repent, God will refine us.  

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)