ROAR! ROOOOAR! The devil is
ROARING. As Christians, we believe in God, and we also believe that there is a
devil. The devil is a real and powerful enemy who seeks to destroy our lives
and our relationship with God. He is not a myth or a symbol, but a fallen angel
who rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven. He is the leader of a host
of evil spirits who work with him to tempt, deceive, accuse, and oppress us in
an effort for us to lose our faith and not be a part of the church resulting in
us being cast in Hell. 1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your
adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may
devour:”
Christians often attribute their situations to the attack of the devil, they believe that individuals are filled with demons and are being used by these evil spirits to try and harm them. Ephesians 6: 12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”. The fight is not against a particular person, although the attack may be done through that individual. Our adversary is the devil. It is a fact that some individuals have that mindset and practice Witchcraft, Vodou, Obeah, Santeria, Spiritism, and Sorcery. These are terms that refer to different forms of **magic** and **spiritual practices** that involve the use, of natural or supernatural forces to influence events, people, or nature. These terms have different meanings and origins depending on the cultural and historical context.
Witchcraft is a
broad term that can describe various beliefs and practices that involve the
manipulation of magic, often for benevolent or malevolent purposes. Witchcraft
can be found in many cultures around the world, such as Europe, Africa, Asia,
and North America. Witchcraft can be associated with religion, folklore,
mythology, or occultism. Some examples of witchcraft are Wicca, Paganism,
Shamanism, and Hoodoo. The number of people who practice witchcraft in the
US is said to have increased in the last three decades.
Vodou or Voodoo is
said to have originated in West Africa and is practiced in parts of the
Caribbean (especially Haiti) and the southern US, combining elements of Roman
Catholic ritual with traditional African magical and
religious rites, and characterized by sorcery and spirit
possession. It is said to be rooted in ancestral remembrance, nature,
healing, and justice. It is called by different names in other countries.
Obeah is a
specific term that refers to a series of **African diasporic** spellcasting and
healing traditions found in the former British colonies of the Caribbean. Obeah
derives much from traditional West African practices that have undergone
cultural creolization. Obeah can be used for good or evil, depending on the
intention of the practitioner and the client. Obeah often involves the use of
herbal and animal ingredients, charms, fetishes, and rituals. Obeah can also
incorporate elements of Christianity, as well as other Caribbean religions like
Voodoo and Santeria.
Santeria is Spanish
for, “The Way of the Saints”. The most common name given to a religious
tradition of West African origin that was developed in Cuba and then
spread throughout Latin America and the United States. According to the
Encyclopaedia Brittanica, Santería is based upon the development of
personal relationships through divination, sacrifice, initiation, and
mediumship between practitioners of the religion and the orisha deities,
who provide their devotees with protection, wisdom, and success and who guide
devotees in times of crisis. Spiritism is also incorporated.
Sorcery is
another general term that can mean the use of magic or supernatural powers to
harm others or gain an advantage. Sorcery can also be found in many cultures
and traditions, such as ancient Mesopotamia, medieval Europe, Native America,
and Polynesia. Sorcery can involve spells, curses, hexes, potions, talismans,
or incantations. Sorcery is usually considered a negative or evil form of magic
and is often opposed by religious or moral authorities.
Are we helpless against the
devil and his demons’ devices? NO, we are not! God has given us weapons and
strategies to overcome the devil and his schemes. One of the most effective and
essential weapons is prayer. Prayer is not just a way of communicating with
God, but a way of engaging in spiritual warfare. Through prayer, we can resist
the devil, claim God's promises, receive God's protection, release God's
power, and gain victory.
In this blog post, we will
explore how to fight the good fight of faith with the armor of God and harness
the power of God through prayer, to win in this spiritual warfare. We will
overcome the devil in three areas: our minds, our hearts, and our actions.
Our Minds
2 Timothy 1:7 “For God hath
not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound
mind.”
The devil often attacks our
minds with lies, doubts, fears, and accusations. He wants to fill our thoughts
with negativity, confusion, and condemnation. He wants to make us doubt God's
love, goodness, and faithfulness. He wants to make us feel guilty, ashamed, and
unworthy.
To overcome the devil in our
minds, we must put on the helmet of salvation. The helmet covers over head
which represents our mind. This means that we must believe and know that we are
saved regardless of what we are experiencing. We also need to pray with
the word of God. The word of God is the sword of the Spirit, which can cut
through the lies of the enemy and expose his deception. The word of God is also
the truth that sets us free from bondage and fear. The word of God is the light
that dispels the darkness and reveals God's character and will. This should be
our mindset.
We need to speak the word
of God whenever we pray by:
- Memorizing and meditating on
Scripture verses that counteract the enemy's lies and affirm God's truth.
- Declaring and confessing
God's word over our lives and situations.
- Asking God to renew our
minds and transform our thinking according to his word.
- Thanking God for his word
and his promises.
Our Hearts
The devil also attacks our
hearts with bitterness, anger, unforgiveness, and resentment. He wants to fill
our emotions with hatred, hostility, and hurt. He wants to make us hold
grudges, seek revenge, and harbor malice. He wants to make us bitter against
God, ourselves, and others.
To overcome the devil in our
hearts, we must put on the breastplate of righteousness. The breastplate covers
our vital organs such as our hearts (Proverbs 4:23 In-Context 23 Above
all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. 24. Keep your
mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. 25. Let your
eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.) and lungs. To guard our hearts, we need to pray to have the love of God. The love of
God is the bond of perfection, which can heal our wounds and restore our
relationships. The love of God is also the power that drives out fear and casts
out evil. The love of God is the fruit of the Spirit that produces joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
We need to pray with the love
of God by:
- Forgiving those who have
hurt us and asking for forgiveness from those we have hurt.
- Blessing those who curse us
and praying for those who persecute us.
- Asking God to fill our
hearts with his love and compassion.
- Thanking God for his love
and his grace.
Our Actions
The devil also attacks our
actions with temptation, sin, and compromise. He wants to fill our behavior
with disobedience, rebellion, and lawlessness. He wants to make us yield to our
fleshly desires, worldly values, and demonic influences. He wants to make us
stray from God's path, disobey his commands, and dishonor his name.
To overcome the devil in our
actions, we need to pray with the power of God. The power of God is the
authority that Jesus has given us over all the powers of the enemy. The power
of God is also the strength that the Holy Spirit provides us to overcome sin
and do good works. The power of God is the victory that Jesus won for us on
the cross and through his resurrection.
We need to pray with the power
of God by:
- Resisting the devil and
submitting to God.
- Repenting of our sins and
turning away from them.
- Asking God to fill us with
his Spirit and enable us to walk in his ways.
- Thanking God for his power
and his presence.
Conclusion
The devil is a defeated foe
who has no authority over us as children of God, but he is still a dangerous
enemy who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy us. We need to be alert and
vigilant against his schemes and tactics. Our mindset must be for victory. We
need to put on the whole armor of God and stand firm in faith. Finally, we need
to harness the power of the word, prayer, and spiritual warfare to overcome him
in every area of our lives.
Remember - Greater is He who is
in you than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).
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