READ:
JEREMIAH 17:5-11
Discouragement
is the devil’s chief tool. When discouragement overshadows someone, it will not
be long before the person backslides. Discouragement can prevent you from
getting to the glorious home. When does Satan use this weapon? One of the times
is when one is in trouble; when it seems that one’s prayers are not being
answered. Proverbs 13:12 says: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when
the desire comes, it is a tree of life.” When you are expecting
something from God and God seems to not be responding, discouragement will set
in. Satan would show you alternative ways of solving your problems. He would
tell that God will not answer your prayers. Always remember that faithful is He
that made the promise and He shall fulfil it. Satan also brings discouragement
when it seems that unbelievers are progressing more than saints. It is always
seems that all is well for those who take short cuts. Satan will tell you to
imitate their acts so as to progress and prosper. He will tell you that the
pastors are even taking short cuts, too. He will tell you to be a hearer only
and not a doer. He will tell you to enjoy this world first before you go to
heaven. Psalm 73:2-3 says: “But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
My steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the
prosperity of the wicked.” The wicked man appears to be prosperous and
wealthy. However, I counsel you: Never envy them. Satan would tell you to
imitate them and pull off the garb of holiness. Don’t be deceived; it is only
God that makes people rich without adding any sorrow to it. The prosperity of wicked
ones is vanity. Prosperity without Jesus Christ brings problems. Jeremiah 17:11
says, “As a partridge that broods but does not hatch, so is he who gets
riches, but not by right; it will leave him in the midst of his days, and at
his end he will be a fool.” You are not to envy wealthy people. A
wealthy man without Jesus Christ has nothing. Don’t let the devil deceive you.
MEMORIZE:
PROVERBS 13:12 –Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes,
it is a tree of life.
