"Be alert and sober of mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8
So it is no revelation that just as there is the existence of God and His angels, there is the existence of satan and his demons. Hopefully, we believers can all agree on that. Right? Well...because I can sense a slight bit of resistance from some of you (I see you back there! Yeah, you.) let's discuss today the penchant for some Christians to ignore the devil and his efforts to wreck havoc on the world.
During a conversation with a friend and classmate a while ago, the topic arose of satan's continued efforts to manipulate the minds and actions of people everywhere. My comment that we believers are not excluded, and are even targeted, was met with her response: "There you go with that devil stuff...". What? I went on to expound on my point and remind her that the devil is not only real, but that he is "prowling around like a roaring lion looking some victim to devour." Needless to say she was not impressed.
Of course, many well-meaning Christians believe that "the devil is a liar" and all that, but what else do they believe? It seems like far fewer believers in Christ are willing to confidently proclaim their understanding of satan's sole mission: "to steal, to kill, and to destroy." (John 10:10). But to steal, kill, and destroy what, you ask? Steal your dreams. Kill your hopes. Destroy your progress towards the mission God has set before you.
Job 1:7 reminds us that satan is busy "roaming about on the earth and walking around on it"...And don't think that he won't worm his way into your happy little Jesus party.
"Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and satan also came among them." Job 1:6
So there! Look over your shoulder, the folks in your circle may not all be saints. I'm just saying...
God has ultimate power over all things, yes. But recognize that satan was cast down to earth after being booted out of heaven and that dude is bitter. If he thought leading a revolt against God was going to work you know he is not going to play fair with you. We as believers have to recognize that satan will wiggle his tricky behind into anything he can get his hands (or hooves) on. Stop thinking that you can go about your merry way and he's going to be sitting on a park bench whistling for you to come over! He's much more subtle than that. Satan will:
- Cause your friends to not call you on your birthday so that you will want to curse them out.
- Proceed to get your dog to pee on your rug, just for you to step in it with bare feet, and cause you to miss bible study because you're cleaning up the mess. (okay, so maybe that only happens to me...)
- Try to allow bitterness and resentment toward your family to keep you from sharing the gospel with them.
- Have you thinking that the only way to get the attention of a fine young man is to flaunt your God given physical assets and give him access to them before marriage.
Recognize his craftiness ladies.
The next time the devil comes around trying to mess with you just put him on notice, "Get behind me satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests but man's." Matthew 16:23. Understand his mission, don't succumb to his foolery, and keep a level head. The devil IS a liar, but he's a hater too; don't drink the hater-ade.
Stay Fly Girls!
I love this issue Rukiyat! You are so correct when you state that the Devil is a Hater! He is roaming around to see whom he can devour. I agree that we as a people take him for granted and take him lightly. We sleep on him and we do fall prey to his lies. We succumb to his ideas and plans forgetting often that he is not out for our good. We need to be mindful that He is not our friend and he doesn't play fair. If we are not watchful, he will come after our household (husband, wife, and children). He doesn't target one age group, He is not biased nor prejudice as to what or whom he kills; He wants us all. He enters into our finances, health, job opportunities and even minitries. Because of His sneaky and conniving ways, God's word warns us to be alert "so that we are not outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his design" (2Cor:2:11). God also warns us to watchout and stay awake at all times watching out for those who causes divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that we have been taught; avoid them (Rom. 16:17). We need to step our game up as mentioned and be a people of prayer (without ceasing) and a people of power and of a strong mind (Eph. 6:10).
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work sis! Your articles are surely holding us Fly Christian Girls accountable.
Your Labor is not in vain nor is it going unnoticed; it will be rewarded (1Cor:15:58).
Shalom!
Jackie M.
Amen ! GREAT post! :)
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