Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional ; Thursday 25th July 2019 ;
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome DSc., DD;
KEEP SATAN IN CHECK,
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7).
It isn’t for nothing that the Bible tells us in Ephesians 4:27 not to give place to Satan, our adversary. He’s extremely vicious and desperately wicked. He operates absolutely without mercy. Therefore, you must be on the offensive against him and keep him in check. Never be casual with him; cast him out, because there’s no telling how far he’d go if you let him. The Word enjoins us to “Neither give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27).
Satan doesn’t play fair. We see his viciousness in his dealings with Job. As soon as Job broke the hedge with his negative confessions, Satan swung into action, and in one swoop, he ruined all of Job’s businesses. While Job was still bemoaning the loss of his entire wealth, the Bible says, “…there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee” (Job 1:18-19). Job lost all his children and businesses in one attack of Satan.
Job was ignorant that the devil was the one on the onslaught against him; he thought it was God, and he responded, “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21).
This is the same mistake a lot of Christians still make today; they’re being afflicted by Satan, and they think it’s the will of God; no, it’s not! God’s will is for you to live in His glory, walking in divine health, peace, abundance, and joy, and He sealed it by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Therefore, stop the devil from messing with your health, your joy, your prosperity, your peace, etc. All you have to do is say no to him, and walk-in God’s light.
The Bible says we’re not ignorant of Satan’s devices (2 Corinthians 2:11). Whenever he shows up, give him no place. Don’t let him take anything that’s yours. The Lord Jesus said, “…In my name shall they cast out devils…” (Mark 16:17). Be quick to cast him out and paralyze his activities in your life, your family, and the environment.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for the authority you’ve vested in me to keep the devil and his cohorts in check. I terminate their evil, vicious and malevolent activities in my environment, and declare that only your peace and prosperity reign in, and around me; thank you for giving me dominion over Satan and the powers of darkness, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
1 John 4:4
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
John 14:30
Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh and hath nothing in me.
1 Peter 5:8-9
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Romans 1:1-17 & Psalms 32-34
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Luke 11:1-13 & Joshua 23