Scripture reading: Romans 8:2
God designed various Laws of Redemption for the deliverance of His people. But laws, when put in the converse, become detrimental to the very people that they were designed to deliver. Thus, we see Satan turning the word of God backwards in order to hurt humanity. Some Satanists even learn to read the Bible backwards; they even walk backwards as part of their training.
For years we were baffled by the vulnerability of Christians to satanic bedevilments even as sinners are. This particularly baffled me, when in our ministry all over the world we found Christians who loved the Lord with all their hearts and who were greatly dedicated to God still having severe satanic oppressions and needing deliverance. As God continued to reveal Himself to us, we gradually began to understand the situation. At the outset, let me say that it does not necessarily mean that a Christian has committed some sin to be bound by the enemy:
1. When a person accepts Jesus Christ as his Savior and submits to the Spirit of God, he comes under the law of Romans 6:16, and becomes a servant of God. The Blood of Jesus Christ redeems him, and all the covenants that he had made with Satan are broken. Nevertheless, his redemption is complete only in the Word of God, but in his soul he remains imperfect. That which he has received now in the Word of Almighty God and in his spirit must work its fulfillment in his soul and body. He becomes a covenant child of God. As a covenant people, we are required to keep our part of the covenant. God now lays claim to us as His property, bought and paid for.
2. The covenant that we had with Satan and sin has been broken by the covenant we now make with the Lord. Romans 8:2 say, “For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”
The covenants we had with devils were made null and void by our covenant with the Lord. But immediately the devils begin to try to get us to submit again to them, in order to apply Romans 6:16, so as to restrict if not altogether rescind our covenant with the Lord. Because of our imperfection, we find ourselves in constant danger of obeying devils instead of the Lord.
Let me tell you a story. There was a day when I told the Lord that I could not find anything wrong with me. In order to prove my unrighteousness, He told me to watch my members that day. When I got to the office there was a piece of chip on the ledge. A suggestion came to my mind to kick the chip off the ledge. Immediately the pride of being a good soccer player with a powerful right foot came into me, and I succumbed to the temptation and kicked the chip like I was placing a ball into the goal. The chip sailed around the corner and slammed into a man’s left eye. In one moment of light banter, I had become the servant of the devil. This was a small act of obedience to the enemy that gave him the right over me. Of course, I repented immediately, and denied Satan any further manipulation. But let me give you a more serious scenario:
Suppose there was someone I know who was worshipping the devil and I reproved him of his devil worship and told him I would have nothing to do with it, but because he is a near kin of mine, I would from time to time give him money to help him along. This money he would use to strengthen himself in his worship of the devil. Would I be guilty of aiding the work of the devil? The answer is yes! The devil is not concerned with what you thought you were doing. He claims his right over you because you participated with one of his servants.
God is in a process of completing our redemption. Yet, this cannot be done without a massive worldwide tribulation. The church will not voluntarily come to that standard of righteousness that God requires. At this time, when we pray for revival, it is actually a prayer for judgment. In Isaiah 26:9 is stated as divine wisdom that people in tribulation learn righteousness. Most men will call on God when they are in trouble, thus trouble is a necessity for some men’s righteousness.
To the watchmen I say, “It is time to sound the alarm.” To the sleeping, I say, “It is time to awake.” To those who are awake, I say, “It is time to trim your lamps.” To the foolish virgins, “It is time to get oil. The bridegroom is on his way.”
(Excerpt from The Omega Message, January 1993, pg. 10-11, 23, 25)
Thought for today: Let us hold fast to the words of Jesus, “When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”
Sonlight Devotional 