READ: EPHESIANS
6:11-18
When you
hear a voice asking you to do something, ask yourself: Will this deed glorify
God? Does it break any of God’s commandments? Will it enrich or impoverish me
spiritually? Is it aimed at gratifying my flesh and vain desires? Does it distort
the word of God? Does it question God’s word or paint God as a liar? Is it
coming at my weak or strong moments? Is it very forceful and urgent? After
going through these, you will be sure of the source. Then ask, what is the
likely hidden negative consequences vis-à-vis the supposed promise or benefits?
Having identified the source of the voice, and the likely negative impact, find out exactly how Satan wants you to respond and do the exact opposite. Also, depending on the issue at stake, dig up the word of God in your spirit-man. By the help of the Holy Spirit begin to counter Satan’s beguilement with God’s word. Tell Satan, like the Lord Jesus did, ‘it is written…’ Doing this successfully calls for calls for accurate knowledge of Scripture, or else you get into trouble. Someone once came to me saying, the Bible says ‘Heaven helps those who help themselves.’ I asked him to give me the book, chapter and verse where that could be found, but he was speechless. Some brethren were casting out demons and they said, ‘It is written that in the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow.’ The demon laughed at them and said they did not even know the Bible and that what is written is, ‘At the Name of Jesus, every knee should bow.’ How miserable the brethren would have felt.
If the voice asks you to steal, respond with Scriptures that say you should not. If the voice says you should lie, respond with the Scriptures that say you should not. The word of God is the sword of the Spirit so when you quote it to the devil, you are sending fire to him and piercing him with the sword. If the voice persists, steadfastly resist him until he runs away from you. Sometimes, Satan may organise an ambush for you and say there is no way out, like he did to Joseph. Ask God at that moment for a word of wisdom. And He will give it to you. Like Joseph, you could also take to your heels and run for your life.
Having identified the source of the voice, and the likely negative impact, find out exactly how Satan wants you to respond and do the exact opposite. Also, depending on the issue at stake, dig up the word of God in your spirit-man. By the help of the Holy Spirit begin to counter Satan’s beguilement with God’s word. Tell Satan, like the Lord Jesus did, ‘it is written…’ Doing this successfully calls for calls for accurate knowledge of Scripture, or else you get into trouble. Someone once came to me saying, the Bible says ‘Heaven helps those who help themselves.’ I asked him to give me the book, chapter and verse where that could be found, but he was speechless. Some brethren were casting out demons and they said, ‘It is written that in the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow.’ The demon laughed at them and said they did not even know the Bible and that what is written is, ‘At the Name of Jesus, every knee should bow.’ How miserable the brethren would have felt.
If the voice asks you to steal, respond with Scriptures that say you should not. If the voice says you should lie, respond with the Scriptures that say you should not. The word of God is the sword of the Spirit so when you quote it to the devil, you are sending fire to him and piercing him with the sword. If the voice persists, steadfastly resist him until he runs away from you. Sometimes, Satan may organise an ambush for you and say there is no way out, like he did to Joseph. Ask God at that moment for a word of wisdom. And He will give it to you. Like Joseph, you could also take to your heels and run for your life.
MEMORIZE:
EPHESIANS 6:17 –And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God.
