I was supposed to write on another must-prayed prayer this week; but the Spirit of God laid something else on my heart which forced me to make a break in the series on prayer.
If we take a poll asking Christians what spiritual gifts they would like to have, prophecy, miracles, healing, word of knowledge, tongues (speaking and interpreting), will probably be on top of the list. Yet, there is a gift that should be particularly sought after, especially in these last days: the gift of discernment; the ability to know if something or someone comes from God or not.
The devil has many ways to attack the men, but he does it primarily through the realm of thoughts or through human channels. I will not speak of his action in the field of thoughts today; I will focus on his second mode of action.
When God wants to bless someone, He sends them a man / woman to help them move to another stage of life or breakthrough. Similarly, when the devil wants to destroy someone, he also sends them a man or a woman. However, neither Satan nor his agents will ever come to us with horns and a forked tail. Far from it; Satan disguises himself into an angel of light (2Cor 11:14), and so do his agents. When someone gets closer to us; if we have to walk together in any way whatsoever, the first question we should ask ourselves and which must imperatively find a clear answer, is to know who is sending them: God or the devil? Some people often seem so nice and friendly, so not ‘witchy’, that we just rule aside the possibility that Satan may be behind the encounter. Let us not forget that Jesus warned that the road leading to destruction is wide and spacious and many are those who go through it. All that glitters is not gold…
We also tend to think that Satan only uses wizards, witches, Freemasons, Rosicrucians or their likes. Therefore, once we are convinced that our new acquaintance is not one of them, we remove them from the list of ‘suspects’. However, the majority of those used by the devil are not even aware that they are puppets into his hands; and yet, this does not change the goals of their manipulator. So, the question is simple; and it is a matter of life or death: Can I say with certainty that God is at the origin of our meeting?
Because, if it is the devil who is unfortunately pulling the strings, my brother/sister, you will bitterly regret it. Satan has no good intentions vis-à-vis men, and worse, Christians. The Lord warned us that he only comes to steal, kill and destroy. This is his only agenda. If Satan directs someone to you, it's either to steal something (a blessing, your peace, your health…), or to physically kill you, or to destroy you (your spiritual death; to ensure that you loose your salvation). We do not play with fire. Do not think you can control the situation, that there is no harm and this person is all ‘soft, innocent and nice'. The French playwright Jean Racine said in Britannicus, “I hug my rival, but it is to better choke/smother/suffocate him.” Beware, danger! Run away. Do not be fooled by whatever good thing this person / encounter may seem to bring or offer: it is only an apple full of worms inside. If you pursue this relationship, no matter how long it will take (Satan is patient), you will only have your tears to cry.
Pray for the gift of discernment; and while waiting for it, know that if you sincerely want God to tell you where you are putting your feet, as a Good Father, He will never let you embark on a destructive adventure: He will always respond. The problem is that very often, as James says, we ask when we are already lured and enticed by our own desire (Ja 1:14). This was the case with Balaam. He had a weakness: the love of money and honours. The devil knew it and used Balak to destroy him. God had told Balaam not to go. The message was very clear from the beginning; but Balaam still did as if God was supposed to deny Himself and deny His Word. He went back to Him in order to make another request of what God had forbidden. So, the Lord delivered him to the lust of his heart and Balaam set off. But God is Good. He did not want Balaam’s misfortune. There were signs on the way showing that He had neither agreed, nor was happy with this decision; but Balaam's heart was hardened. He desperately wanted to received the money promised (Nu 22). The rest is history. Indeed, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin brings forth death when it is fully grown (Ja 1:15); and Balaam did die of a horrible death (Jos 13:22).
Caution, danger! Beware of relationships; beware of angels of death looking like angels of light. Jesus said: “If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also.” In other words, if God is not in a business and you are a Christian, you have nothing to do in that business either.
May the LORD GOD Almighty bless you with prudence.
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